Swimming pool to wildlife pond project

[King Edward]

The scaffolding-type shelving sounds like a good idea. Ideally it would be good to have a gently sloping shelf from e.g. 0" to 10" deep, leading up to the pond edge, which you could cover with a layer of sand/subsoil for marginals to root directly into. Obviously you'd want to make sure that whatever substrate you added didn't just fall/wash off, so perhaps a series of stepped shallow trays at different depths.

Also, if possible it's important to have some kind of planting right up to (and into) the edge of the water, rather than just bare paving. This should be especially good for e.g. young amphibians leaving the water.

[kathateria]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

wow this would be an amazing addition to your garden, looked into this before for our garden as hate swimming in chlorine pools, so swim in rivers,quarries, ponds or the sea instead

have you heard about living ponds/pools its a way where you can create a swimming pool that's a wildlife haven and still ok to swim in on the few days a year you want to

BBC - Climate Change - Bloom - Building a natural swimming pool

YouTube - ‪Its Not Easy Being Geen‬‏

these are a few companies that make them
Woodhouse Natural Pools Looking for a natural swimming pool in your garden - The Swimming Pond Company

Those videos are amazing! I wish I had a pond- lake like that.I dont know whether I would swim in it,though!

[Tursiops2]

This is just a thought, I don't know if it's realistic or just my fevered imagination running away with itself, but... how about using old tyres? Stack them in columns around the edges (or even fill the whole pool), then either fill the central voids with gravel or use them to support planting shelves at a range of depths. It would be cheaper than scaffolding, and a nice bit of recycling.

A very interesting project, any chance of a photo of the pool as it is now?

T2

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

This is just a thought, I don't know if it's realistic or just my fevered imagination running away with itself, but... how about using old tyres? Stack them in columns around the edges (or even fill the whole pool), then either fill the central voids with gravel or use them to support planting shelves at a range of depths. It would be cheaper than scaffolding, and a nice bit of recycling.

A very interesting project, any chance of a photo of the pool as it is now?

T2

old tires breakdown releasing toxic compounds, so unfortunately they are not suitable for many applications after being removed from their original intended role,

some one tried to build a reef out of them only to find out after a while they leached chemicals that were affecting the life they were there to support and they also broke free from their bindings and trashed other areas of reef that originally were in a good condition.

using gabions you could also build up shelves, but you would have a lot more work to do and would lose water volume in the process though they could form a ideal solution in localised areas to breach the water face/bank area. The hollow structures between rocks would allow colonisation by plants in time or could be assisted using clay to speed up the greening as it would not get washed away unlike lighter aquatic soils

Im not a fan of chlorine swimming pools so tend to seek out rivers, ponds and the sea when i want a swim, so would love to have a pond like this i could jump in

[kathateria]

What about upvc,built up some how.Or might it float.Some plastic stuff does and some doesnt

[Bullie4me]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your messages,
I too mentioned rubber tyres to my husband and 'got the look' by way of reply. "Rubber is toxic you know" Well that told me!
I had an idea about using plastic dusbins but is plastic just as toxic as rubber? ( not being the scientific type ) Surely not - because what are planting baskets made of but plastic!

The scaffolding idea sound very sturdy but where on earth would I get all that and I can see myself making a right old mess.
Re: escape routes.
When used as a pool we found sections of woven willow placed around the edge very successful for the odd rabbit or hedgehog even if they couldn't climb the last step at least we could rescue them in the morning. ( Only had 2 fatalities in 12yrs ).
for the smaller amphibians, am planning to remove some edging to make a shallow, boggy area etc with direct access to garden.
Its just the variable/ shelving pond planting areas that are giving me a headache. Perhaps its just try and error.
Bullie4me.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

old tires breakdown releasing toxic compounds, so unfortunately they are not suitable for many applications after being removed from their original intended role,

OK, maybe not such a good idea
How about using tyres to raise the depth and then laying a new liner over the top of them?

T2

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

OK, maybe not such a good idea
How about using tyres to raise the depth and then laying a new liner over the top of them?

T2

you will still have toxic compounds being leached but now in to the ground and not the pond sorry

[Bullie4me]

Pool project update

since recyling is one of my things - have been giving thought to my need for planting shelves and came up with the idea that if 'floating baskets' are sold on the market..what else will float or could be anchored??
Well chucked in the pond an old plastic stacking style storage bin laying about in the shed and hey presto, with a few cable ties, adapted some old hanging basket chains, drilled a few holes in the baskets, atttached the chains and anchored them to the paving slabs. Quite pleased with the effect- Did a dummy run with a few heavy stones to check out the result and it appears to work. they are dark green in colour and once the plants start to spread, anticpate they will blend in just fine. ( ever the optimist )
Bullie4me

[GCN lova]

lovely. if you dont get frogs, toads will probably make themselves at home because they like larger ponds. lily pads will help because they will make a floating home for amphibians and reptiles.