Natural Pool Filtration - What Is It and How Does Work?
Natural swimming pools use a different type of system for crystal-clear water compared to conventional pools. They use an organic system with a biofilm filter or regenerative plants that provides a natural process to filter your water, rather than using chemicals such as chlorine and acid in a traditional swimming pool filtration system.
If you plan on starting construction with a natural pool builder, a biofilter system is the best option when choosing a natural pool filter.
In order to understand natural pool design, you need a crash course in their filters. On this page, we will talk about aquatic plants and how they are used as a water circulation system in organic pools.
So, without further ado, let's get started!
The slower circulation of water distributes nutrients evenly to plants and makes a serene waterscape. Initial costs are higher in this design due to the large surface area (minimum of 650 sq ft) needed to incorporate a regeneration zone. This single vessel design with an adjacent plant zone is referred to as the NSP BioSwimPond™ Solo.
The faster circulation rate mimics the ecosystem of a river or stream. This more rapid flow rate encourages the healthy growth of biofilm away
The rapid depletion of the nutrients by the biofilm leaves nothing for plants or algae to grow, resulting in beautifully clear, naturally-tinted water. The tradeoff is also much more efficient use of space for the biological filter - typically less than 10% of the pool's swimming surface area with no minimum build size required!
The biofilm filters are easily installed adjacent to the swimming zone or elsewhere on the property. The filters systems can be sized and scaled appropriately for the needs of the pool and project area. BioNova® consultants will specify which one is appropriate depending on the site and the hydraulic requirements of the design. Owing to our sustainability principles, they are designed to be easily flushed out, and the biologically rich effluence makes an excellent garden fertilizer.
Natural Swimming Pools LLC also has state-of-the-art robotic cleaners for vacuuming and brushing the pool walls and bottom. Simple cleanings will still outweigh and offset any future cost of chemicals for the lifespan of your pool.
The water flow in natural pools also tends to run a bit warmer than a conventional pool setup, so they are easier to take care of in cold climate areas
If you plan on starting construction with a natural pool builder, a biofilter system is the best option when choosing a natural pool filter.
In order to understand natural pool design, you need a crash course in their filters. On this page, we will talk about aquatic plants and how they are used as a water circulation system in organic pools.
So, without further ado, let's get started!
The Primary Types of Natural Swimming Pool Filters
If you are contemplating designing an NSP (Natural Swimming Pool), you can choose between a few different filtration methods to use. We break the differences between the filters below!1. The NSP BioSwimPond™
Utilizes aquatic plans in a regeneration zone to clarify and purify water. The swimming zone can either be in the same vessel as the regeneration zone or separated from the regeneration zone. An NSP BioSwimPond™ constructed in one vessel with a wall separating the swimming zone from the regeneration zone most closely resembles a natural pond.The slower circulation of water distributes nutrients evenly to plants and makes a serene waterscape. Initial costs are higher in this design due to the large surface area (minimum of 650 sq ft) needed to incorporate a regeneration zone. This single vessel design with an adjacent plant zone is referred to as the NSP BioSwimPond™ Solo.
2. NSP BioSwimPond™ Duo
Alternatively, BioNova® designers can create a swimming zone that has some regenerative plants in the same vessel, as well as a separate regeneration zone. This can allow for the swimming zone to retain a natural pond aesthetic in tandem with contemporary hardscapes (decks, pagodas, lounging areas) and provide excellent water quality.3. The NSP BioPool®
A modern marvel of natural water health and pool engineering, The NSP BioPool® uses a biofilm filter zone instead of a planted regeneration zone to biological filter the water. The biofilm filter is separated from the swimming zone and draws the nutrient-rich surface water from the swimming area to nurture the biofilm growth.The faster circulation rate mimics the ecosystem of a river or stream. This more rapid flow rate encourages the healthy growth of biofilm away
The rapid depletion of the nutrients by the biofilm leaves nothing for plants or algae to grow, resulting in beautifully clear, naturally-tinted water. The tradeoff is also much more efficient use of space for the biological filter - typically less than 10% of the pool's swimming surface area with no minimum build size required!
The biofilm filters are easily installed adjacent to the swimming zone or elsewhere on the property. The filters systems can be sized and scaled appropriately for the needs of the pool and project area. BioNova® consultants will specify which one is appropriate depending on the site and the hydraulic requirements of the design. Owing to our sustainability principles, they are designed to be easily flushed out, and the biologically rich effluence makes an excellent garden fertilizer.
How Big Does the Biological Filter Need to Be?
The answer varies among NSP designs, but NSP BioSwimPonds™ utilize aquatic vegetation hydroponically rooted in select substrates to allow the water from the swimming area to flow through the planted environment. The biological filter (AKA the regeneration zone, bog filter, constructed wetlands, etc.) is approximately the same surface area as the swimming zone. So, a 16'x32' swimming zone (~512 ft2) would require the same amount of area (~512 ft2) for the regeneration zone.Is There an Advantage to a BioSwimPond™ Over a BioPool®?
It all depends on your aesthetic preferences! Both filtration technologies create naturally purified water, but they have different looks.- A BioSwimPond™ provides the aquatic vegetation that many desire to create an environment that closely mirrors a natural pond setting. The BioSwimPond™ typically comes at a higher cost due to the increased area required for the planted regeneration zone.
- A BioPool® will look more like a conventional swimming pool. The biofilm filter in a Bio- Pool® is typically hidden underneath a deck or similar structure. In these cases, seasonal maintenance requires access to the top of the biofilm filter vault.
Using the Natural Environment for Filtration: Will It Attract Mosquitoes?
Natural Swimming Pool's water is always circulating, which means mosquitoes are not a problem as they do not breed and lay eggs in moving water. A more significant concern for mosquitoes in warmer climates is potted plant bases near your NSP, or any place water can sit stagnantly.Natural Filter Maintenance and Cleaning
Natural pool maintenance costs are a lot less than your traditional inground pool but some of the physical maintenance is similar. You will need to periodically empty and clean skimmer baskets, pump baskets, filters, and vacuum the pool.Natural Swimming Pools LLC also has state-of-the-art robotic cleaners for vacuuming and brushing the pool walls and bottom. Simple cleanings will still outweigh and offset any future cost of chemicals for the lifespan of your pool.
The water flow in natural pools also tends to run a bit warmer than a conventional pool setup, so they are easier to take care of in cold climate areas