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A kingfisher has adopted the pond and it's wonderful to watch it perching and diving for its supper.  You have two very happy clients.

Sally and Tom Beevor, Norfolk
 
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Ten Basics On Natural Swimming Ponds Print E-mail
A point by point introduction to the basics of natural swimming ponds.

  1. Construct the pond on consolidated ground if possible. If the site is on a significant slope it is recommended to employ a structural engineer.

  2. The bigger the pond, the more stable the ecological balance will be. The surface area for the pond should be not much smaller than 100sq. m. Any smaller than this and a larger pump system will be required to re-circulate the water.

  3. A swimming zone is separated from a gravel bed cleansing zone by interior submerged walls (20-30cm below water level). The surface area of each zone should be approximately equal.

  4. The interior wall is usually constructed of concrete blocks and rendered with fibre cement, which is then capped in timber or natural stone.

  5. The ideal maximum depth is between 1.9- 2.4 m. Deeper water is less conducive to algal growth. An increase in planting zone will compensate for shallower ponds.

  6. A rubber butyl liner is the usual material to line the pond, although concrete or clay lined ponds are also possible.

  7. The plants grow in cleaned gravel of different sizes to promote root growth. Different depths suit different aquatic species. Impurities in the water are absorbed by the plants as nutrients, while harmful bacteria are neutralised by beneficial micro-organisms.

  8. The water is circulated naturally by differences in temperature in the shallower and deeper zones. This is enhanced by a low wattage pump, which re-circulates the water over a cascade.

  9. Water in the pond is naturally warmer than a conventional pool, as the shallower planting areas act as a solar panel. Typical summer temperatures reach between 20-25 degrees C. The pond can be further heated through solar panneling or a heat pump. It is considered uncomfortable to swim in water that is much warmer or cooler than the air temperature so it is enough to maintain the pool no more than 10 degrees C above or below ambient air temperature. Solar panels require an area equivalent to half the area of the pool for significant results.

  10. Maintenance involves removing dead plant material, general weeding of gravel beds, keeping swimming zone clear of plants and silt removal if desired with a special aqua vacuum. If blanket weed appears it should be removed through the growing season.