07/06/2024
We’ve found a way to combat the high cost of pool chemicals and keep our pool clean and clear naturally. Last summer, our pool turned solid green, and we couldn’t afford enough chemicals to fix it. Here’s how we turned things around using a natural bog filter.
Materials:
Large container full of rocks and pebbles (we used a cheap trash can)
Riparian pond plants (e.g., creeping Jenny, Japanese taro, and yellow flag iris)
Pond pump (pumps enough gallons per hour to cycle the pool once every hour or two)
PVC fittings for a spout and drain at the bottom of the filter
Copper pieces (optional but helpful)
How It Works:
1. Setup:
The pond pump pulls water through a flexible pipe into the bottom of the trash can.
Water flows upwards through the layers of rocks, trapping debris and hosting beneficial bacteria.
Filtered water spills out of the spout at the top.
2. Filtration:
The rocks trap debris and help filter the water.
Beneficial bacteria consume nutrients and waste from decaying leaves, preventing algae growth.
Riparian pond plants consume nutrients that algae would otherwise use to grow.
3. Maintenance:
Skim floating debris and vacuum settled debris regularly.
Once a season, turn off the pump and open the drain at the bottom. Flush out any gathered debris by running your hose on top of the rocks.
Keep the pump running 24/7; the power needed to run a small pond pump is negligible.
4. Benefits:
Chemical-free pool maintenance.
Cost-effective solution.
Fresh, clean water that is safe for skin.
For detailed instructions and visuals, look up natural pools and bog filters on YouTube, especially the “bog filter in a barrel” by OzPonds.
