What exactly are swim or rec ponds? We’ve been getting this question more frequently recently, as their popularity grows. By definition, a swim pond is usually a pool-sized body of clean water that you are able to swim in. Another term we use in the industry is “rec pond” which is short for recreational pond. Recreation ponds are the same and are designed for you to spend time inside, as opposed to beside them.
These ponds are designed to mimic natural bodies of water, with moving water and boulders and clear water and streams or waterfalls. We can design a recreation pond for you and install a pond right in your backyard. At New Hope Aquascapes, we know the ins and outs of building natural swim ponds in Gray, Tennessee.
Our swim ponds are designed to be an enjoyable complement to nature, unlike a uniform swimming pool. We can incorporate tanning ledges, heaters, and many of the other amenities you would get with a swimming pool “package” because all the work we do is custom. We can design them with big or small deep ends, big or small shallow ends or a mixture of both. How shallow do you want the shallow end to be? You don’t have to pick from a catalog; you tell us and we design it exactly like you want it. We don’t have to change a mold to accommodate what you need or want. How many circulation jets and lights do you want? No problem!
OK so let’s face it, you’re probably used to hearing the neighbor talk about how much maintenance goes into pools. As a matter of fact, you’ve heard even worse stories about people trying to keep their koi ponds clean. Thankfully, times have changed, and science and technology have made advances too. We now have the ability to filter ponds biologically and mechanically and keep these swim ponds clear. No more fighting nasty water. By using constructed wetland filters, automatic dosing systems, and a couple more tricks, we are able to get you into a chemical-free swimming experience, with or without the fishies.
Now, they are going to attract wildlife, including birds, insects, frogs, and turtles, which will create a unique ecosystem for you to enjoy. Natural swim ponds are going to blend in with nature because they are built with boulders and driftwood accents. We do use aquatic plants to help the wetland filter polish the water to keep it pristine.
When winter comes, what does your neighbor’s pool look like? Yeah, we don’t like it either. On the other hand, we ask that you PLEASE do not cover your art. We want you to see your beautiful pond and enjoy it year round. While you may not want to take a dip, you can still enjoy the ice formations your waterfall creates during freezing temps.
So, lets tackle maintenance. You’re not going to have to shock your pond. You’re not really going to have to worry about pH swings and all that jazz. Maybe nitrates once in a while, but the dosing system takes care of that. Algae blooms DO happen once in a while, but we have a cure for that too. So, we have to worry about skimming debris off the top of the water, just like you do with a pool, so that’s nothing new. We design a skimmer to handle that for you though, so you will need to clean that skimmer out periodically just as you would with a pool. You will need to replace the water treatment in the automatic dosing system (if equipped) periodically and clean out the filter annually. Yes, annually. We recommend cleaning (or hiring us to clean) the pond and filter once a year. You should not have to back wash the filter quarterly or monthly as some pool manufacturers recommend.
In a nutshell, a swim pond is a big ol’ professionally built pond with really nice filtration that you can swim in with the fishies. If this is something you are interested in, fill out our contact form or call us.
