posted 12 years ago
Hi Robin,
1) The entire volume of water should be circulated within 24 - 48 hours.
2) There is no disadvantage in introducing air. A waterfall is mainly for cosmetics but should not cause any problems.
3) Circulate the water in the swimming area vertically to disturb the water stratification (i.e. the cooler lower water churned up with the upper warmer water.)
4) There are calculation/approximation methods available, but even measuring all the parameters necessary (wind speed, vapour pressure, etc) is tricky and will only give you a snapshot of the evaporation rate. It is best to get information from a local pool supplier for the average water loss through evaporation.
5) I know of no issues myself. Natural Swimming Pools have been made in Australia and work fine. I found a paper on a Caribbean wild ponds and incredibly they contained no mosquitoes. Just like in Natural Swimming Pools, predators, like dragonfly larvae, control them.
And sadly, as far as this summer is concerned, the UK has has not warmed up that much since you've been away.
Hi I’m David. I am probably the only person to have two Organic Pools (aka Natural Swimming Pools). The reason for this over indulgence was to make a DIY film of the process. Loads of these pools have been made all over the place, helping make the world slightly wetter, pond by pond. I have also made a short film for the BBC about Natural Swimming Pools introducing the concept to a wider audience here in the UK. As a consequence of all of this, I have started giving courses to fellow self-builders who have traveled from far and wide to come and sit in my garden and talk about pools and ponds for two days. What could be nicer?
David Pagan Butler organicpools.co.uk