What can you do to add some oomph and an “aaahhh” factor to your outdoor living space? Talk with your swimming pool contractor about the idea of adding a water garden to the space. Water gardens add ambiance, beauty and a unique flair to poolside entertaining and relaxation. Once you’ve done some research and looked at some photographs for ideas, contact your Memphis, Tennessee swimming pool contractor for ideas on how to begin the project and where to place it.
Adding fish to the water garden is an option that many individuals opt for, but when you do this you will need to determine what you will do with the fish when winter rolls around and there is a potential for the water freezing. You certainly can add a heating element to the water garden, but this is something to decide during the initial construction and discussion phase of the project. You will also be talking with your pool contractor about the types of plants you will grow both in, and around, the water garden.
Water gardens, in some cases, can be self-sustaining bodies of water, but you will need to talk with your swimming pool contractor from Advanced Pool Care to determine what kind of water filtration system it may require. A filtration system is necessary for the aesthetics of the water garden and for the waters’ health and quality. Your water garden can still look natural even with the addition of a pump and filtration system because even though a water garden is natural if it isn’t filtered, bacteria will grow and it could also become stagnant which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
There are several different types of filtration systems from which to choose. You and your swimming pool builder can work together to determine the best system for your water garden. Here are some options to consider:
- Vegetable filtering: Use plants to remove excess nutrients and bacteria from the water as a way to inhibit the growth of algae. If your pond is small you can certainly use vegetable filtration and not have to use any mechanics – especially if the water is home to a few fish.
- Mechanical: A mechanical filtration system forces water through a porous material to catch and filter out leaves, algae and other items. The mechanical filter enhances water flow and nutrient distribution.
- Biofiltration system: This uses oxygen-loving bacteria to help remove excess nutrients from the water. A biofiltration system operates in slow moving water and needs rocks or gravel on which to grow.
- Skim the surface: This type of “filtering system” is the easiest but it involves you skimming the surface of the water to remove debris and dirt. Most people who opt for this type of filtering system augment it with biological, mechanical or vegetable filtration.
There are certainly many items to take into consideration when looking into the construction of a water garden and your swimming pool builder is the best resource for the answers you’re seeking.
