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Floating Water Garden in Swimming Pool

Posted by toopik (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 4, 06 at 4:50

I just bought a property with a swimming pool which i think i will turn into a water garden of some sort. I hate the thought of filling it in with gravel and soil and have been playing with the idea of building wooden boxes with Styrofoam inserts, filled with earth (like big planters). If they were high enough out of the water, holes in the sides might take care of excess water. I would plant pond plants which like damp, wet feet. Has anyone done this kind of thing? Ideas?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Floating Water Garden in Swimming Pool

Your swimming pool would be great for koi! It is deep enough to winter them over happily, and already has a great filter! As for plants, you can buy wonderful plants that float - water hyacinth, water lettuce, duck weed, and I'm sure there are more. In the shallow end of your pond you could put water lilies in buckets. You could plant your bog type plants - arrowheads, cattails, cannas, rushes, etc. in tall buckets and place on plastic crates. Of course you could build floating containers, but I'd probably go with plastic dishpans which won't rot like wood will. Have fun with your new pond! I know there are others who have converted their swimming pool, and you can probably find them by doing a search!


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RE: Floating Water Garden in Swimming Pool

There is a product out there if you need ideas. Something like Floating pond islands. It's a plastic tub (like the dish pan) with holes in the bottom, and suspended by a foam "Lifesaver" around the outer edge.

Depending on your DIY ness, you could probable make the Lifesaver out of that pink styro. I wouldn't use the white/pellet styro, as once the pellets get loose, you'll never be rid of them.

Just a caution with the Koi pond conversion. you pool filter is built for Chlorinated water, not pond water. It would require an upgrade to really filter a koi pond.

If you want to go for the conversion, I would suggest koivet.com, in the message boards, for some people who have done it.

Disclaimer, yes I am a moderator at Koivet, but I recieve no money or other benes for it. I just know that the thread was there several years ago.

Greg


 
 

 

 


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