1

AUTUMN SERVICE

An autumn treat for you natural poolIssue 2014

INHALT

03 ABOUT BIOTOP

04 AUTUMN SERVICE

07 NATURAL POOL GARDENING TOOLS

09 MEDICINAL HERBS AT WATER‘S EDGE

11 ASK THE EXPERTS

Dear Readers,

BIOTOP was founded in autumn 1985 and is soon to celebrate its 30th anniversary. We proudly look back at over 4,000 pools that we have built together with our partners worldwide. Our BIOTOP partners in the UK are part of our international network that stands for high standards and top quality in building natural swimming pools.

I am sure that autumn still has a number of sunny days in store for us. Enjoy this lovely time in your garden, and enjoy those beautiful autumn colours around your pool, but now is also time to think about the pool’s seasonal service. A “Full Service” is only necessary every three to five years, but a „Half Service“, where the plants are cut back and the sediment on the bottom of the swimming area is vacuumed up, also makes good sense now at the end of the season (as of page 04). Did you know your pool is a natural pharmacy? There are many medicinal herbs which can be found around your pool and we highlight some of these plants on page 9.

If you have any questions about your pool service or any required work, please contact your nearest UK partner who will be happy to help.

On behalf of BIOTOP and our UK partner companies, may I wish you a glorious autumn!

Peter PetrichManaging Director

BIOTOP International

2

OLD BUT GOOD:THE FIRST NATURAL POOLOVER THE COURSE OF TIME

There are 26 years between the two photos. The first BIOTOP Natural Pool under the brand name “Swimming-Teich” was built in Klosterneuburg near Vienna in 1988. At the time the family had two little daughters, for whom the pool was the hit of the summer. Now it’s the grandchildren who are just as enthusiastic about spending the summer in their grandparents’ garden. Now the young family is even planning to build a natural pool in their own garden, or to be exact, a bio pool.

Having vigorous vegatation in a pool can reduce the water volume and sometimes it is difficult to vacuum up the silt in the regeneration zone, due to the extensive root systems under the water. The silt cannot always be completely removed and sooner or later the nutrients absorbed will be released into the water.

This process is called siltation, which can be controlled by giving the pool a good cleaning. The regeneration zone is cleaned out thoroughly and is given new water plants. This will highly reduce the amount of nutrients in the water, thus reducing algae growth.

The water in the “pioneering pool” from BIOTOP is still crystal clear after a quarter of a century and swimming is as fun and enjoyable as ever. Old but good – this is the perfect example.

ABOUT BIOTOP

BIOTOP boss Peter Petrich took the time to re-enact the oldphoto. The pictures were taken from the exact same perspective and one can see how the vegetation around the pool has grown in the meantime.

1988

2014

zuM InhalT →3

AUTUMN SERVICE – WHAT HAS TO BE DONE

FULL SERVICE

Over the years there are natural changes that take place in your pool’s regeneration zone, that lead to anaerobic enrichment of the silt. After about three years, oxygen-poor zones can develop on the bottom of the natural pool that can disturb the ecological balance.

Therefore, every three to five years a “Full Service” should be conducted. The best time for this is late summer or autumn. The work can also be done in spring, but with cat tails, reeds etc it is better to cut back in autumn as a spring prune can delay growth. This service comprises:– cleaning the swimming area including the walls– emptying the regeneration zone– cutting back and removing dead marsh and water plants.– washing off the silt layer that has developed over the years in the

regeneration zone with water from the swimming area or with fresh water.

– The water and silt pumped out with the pool vacuum cleaner can be fed removed or spread in the garden as fertilizer.

– Cleaning the small children’s area

Optional item with this service:– emptying the entire swimming area and cleaning the liner with

a high-pressure cleaner.

For further questions or details on what is involved in a “Full Service”, please contact your expert local BIOTOP UK partner.

zuM InhalT →4

AUTUMN SERVICE – WHAT HAS TO BE DONE

HALF SERVICE

This service consists of vacuuming up the layer of sediment from the floor of the swimming zone with a pool vacuum cleaner. The combination of sediment and water can be fed into the sewer system or used as a fertilizer for lawn and bushes on the property. Time needed: 2 hours maximum. The precondition for conducting the “Small Service” is that the floor of the swimming area is free of stones and other objects so that the vacuuming can be carried out smoothly.

Trimming the PlantsThe marsh plants are cut back either in autumn or in spring before they start sprouting. A good reason to cut them back in autumn that the pool will look smart throughout the winter. All plants that have grown excessively are trimmed. For the submerged plants an underwater scythe is used. The scythe must be very sharp and the cutting is done with a short, jerky movement.

The cuttings are added to your compost or removed by your BIOTOP partner at an extra charge. It is not necessary to pump water out of the pool.

For further questions or details on what is involved in a “Half Service”, please contact your expert local BIOTOP UK partner.

5

Cutting Back the Plants and Vacuuming the Silt

zuM InhalT >

SWIMMING-TEICH-SERVICE-ANGEBOTE

Cleaning the Small Children’s Area The pebble layer in the small children’s swimming area is removed, if necessary, washed off or renewed. In renewing this layer, careful attention is paid to achieving the appropriate grading size of the pebbles.

Manual Cleaning of the Regeneration Zone and the Natural PoolCutting back and clearing out wilted plants (the wilted plants should be added to your compost); the water is not pumped out of the natural pool.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Trimming the PlantsAll plants that have grown excessively are trimmed. For the submerged plants an underwater Scythe is used. The cuttings are added to your compost or removed by Biotop at an extra charge. It is not necessary to pump water out of the pool.

The Addition of Underwater PlantsFor faster development of the underwater vegetation in spring it is beneficial to supplement the existing plants with additional underwater plants that start to grow early on. And if your water plants are not as dense as desired, additional plants of your choice can also be planted. Details can be clarified when you order the service.

Water PlantsMarsh plants that grow too excessively can be removed completely. Proper removal of some kinds of plants can take a lot of time and effort. For example, rhizomes that have become deeply rooted have to be removed but care has to be taken not to destroy neighboring water plants or damage the liner. All of this requires a high degree of care and strength, as well as time by our service staff. The amount of work and equipment for these services is charged according to the actual hours expended.

zuM InhalT →6

NATURAL POOL GARDENING TOOLS

The underwater scythe – developed by BIOTOP – is the ideal tool for conveniently cutting the underwater plants from the shore. The underwater scythe is a customised product in which the two ends of the steel scythe blade are protected to prevent any risk of damaging the pool liner when cutting under water. Before each use the scythe should be wet sharpened with the grinding stone supplied with it, so that the plants are cut and not ripped out. With its attachment the scythe can be fixed

to any telescope pole. When cutting the underwater plants, the tool should be moved approximately ten to twenty centimeters over the floor of the regeneration zone, cutting the plants with a slight jerking motion. This is better for the growth of the plants in the following year and additionally removes the phosphorus stored in the plants.

The plant cuttings then float on the surface of the water and can be fished out from the shore with a rake or a hand skimmer.

The rake serves as a supplement to theunderwater scythe. The tines of the rakeare made of plastic and cannot damage thepool liner. Like the underwater scythe therake attaches to the telescope pole with a

All the accessories can be ordered from a BIOTOP partner near to you.

click system. Two and three part telescope polesare available in adjustable lengths of 4.8 m and7.5 m. The elements are fixed by turning themclockwise and released by turning them counterclockwise.

THE UNDERWATER SCYTHE

THE RAKE

zuM InhalT →7

NATURAL POOL GARDENING TOOLS

PROTECT YOUR POOL IN AUTUMN For long-term maintenance of the water quality of your natural pool or pond, falling leaves should have as little contact with the water as possible. The tent-like construction of the protective netting over the natural pool has several advantages. – The wind sweeps the leaves off the slanted surfaces of the net– There is no weight burden from accumulated leaves and the net does

not sink into the water

Assembly instructions– Place a wooden post (1) (lying horizontally) in the middle of both

opposing short edges of your pool.– Drive one acacia stake (2) into the ground by both the wooden posts

outside the pool liner and attach the tensioning rope (3) to one of the acacia stakes through the eyelets above the wooden posts.

– Lay out the net next to the pool in full length, fix the net to both corners with pegs, pull the net across the pool by its corners and also fix them with pegs. Ideally this process should be done at both corner points simultaneously.

– Now raise the wooden posts and tighten the rope with the tensioning device (4).

– Place at least one peg every two meters (shorter intervals in the corners), roll the edge of the net slightly and stick the peg through several holes in the net.

– In this fashion fix one long edge followed by the opposite long edge under tension. Finish by fixing both short edges.

– If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them!

Components of the assembly equipment for the protective netting– Two wooden posts with eyelets for attachment of the rope– Stable tensioning rope of appropriate length– A tensioning device– Two acacia wood stakes– Appropriate number of pegs

All the accessories can be ordered from a BIOTOP partner near you.

PROTECTIVE NETTING

Laubschutznetz

Plannr.: ST 178

Stand: 03.11.00

copyright 1999 byBiotop Landschaftsgestaltung GmbHA-3411 Weidling

1 : 50Maßstab:

Schnitt

(3) Spannseil(1) Holzsteher

(4) Spannvorrichtung

Netz

(2) Holzpflock

8zuM InhalT →

zuM InhalT →

Your natural pool can be used as a natural chemist or pharmacy if you take the time to learn a little botany and supplement your knowledge with a dictionary. Use of any medicinal plants should be approved by your Doctor.

Here is a selection of the most common and self-sufficient marsh plants, which do well in the nutrient-poor water of natural pools.

PLANTS

MEDICINAL HERBS IN THE POOL AND AT WATER‘S EDGE

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)

Water mint is a close relation of peppermint, but is easier to digest. Dried water mint is commonly used for tea and due to its healing powers was used by the early Celts. It is helpful in cases of diminished appetite and is slightly anti-inflammatory.

(PLEASE NOTE: It may not be confused with Mentha pulegium and Mentha cervina, which are both poisonous.)

Monkey Flower or Monkey Musk (Mimulus Luteus oder Mimulus guttatus)

The common monkey flower comes from Chile. It should not be ingested directly, but is used in Bach Flower therapy, where it is used to treat indefinite fears or phobias.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

All parts of meadowsweet can be used (blossom, leaf, root. It is helpful with the flu and colds and in lowering fever. It is one of the few pain-killing and anti-inflammatory domestic medicinal herbs. NOTE: Meadowsweet contains acetylsalicylic acid, which can be dangerous for allergies.

9

zuM InhalT →

PLANTS

Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)

The essential oils of calamus root are applied to treat flatulence and diminished appetite. It reduces cramps, is stimulating and can have a positive effect on mood. NOTE: calamus may not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, or by children, as the strength of the substances it contains can fluctuate sharply.

Ladies Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Grows outside of the marsh zone. Due to its vigorous growth and attractive blooms it is a plant one doesn‘t want to do without on the edge of the pool. In traditional medicine ladies mantle is used for gynaecological disorders, sores and injuries that have become infected. It is also used to treat chronic diarrhoea following liver disease.

Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)

A robust, luxuriant, companion that blooms beautifully at water‘s edge. The roots of the plant are primarily used for gall bladder and liver ailments. This plant both strengthens the immune system and can be used when the first symptoms of a cold appear.

10

Water Lily (Nymphaea alba)

The water lily is considered a good pain killer and is also used for nerve-related diseases, in stopping bleeding, and in treating asthma and coughs.

Is autumn really the best time to service the Natural Pool and is it necessary to clean the pool in the spring?

Autumn is indeed the best time to conduct a general pool service, as most of the animals have left or hibernated for the winter and the water plants have died back. However, to really be able to enjoy the next season, we particularly recommend cleaning the swimming area in the spring. Even if the pool was cleaned the previous autumn, leaves or other impurities that fall into the pool in wintertime can lead to an increase of nutrients in the water and decay, and thus can spoil the water quality. If work is done carefully in the regeneration zone, even in the spring flora and fauna will not be hurt. In vacuuming sediment from the floor of the swimming area, move the triangular broom slowly over the floor so that the sediment is not stirred up unnecessarily. This will allow the animals

to withdraw to the safe regeneration zone. The best time to conduct a spring pool service is before the plants have started growing.

What to do when algae growth is excessive?

A certain amount of algae growth belongs to the annual cycle of a natural pool. However, when single-celled green or brown algae or multi-celled filamentous algae start to get out of hand, there are a variety of methods that can be applied:

1. Planting additional underwater plants, especially milfoil (Achillea millefolium), which is excellent at binding phosphorus.

2. Treating the water with oxygen. The algae can be killed by means of hydrogen peroxide. As this is broken down into water H2O and oxygen O2, chemical pollution of the water does not take place.

ASK THE EXPERTS

zuM InhalT →11

FAQ

zuM InhalT →12

FOR FURTHER QUESTIONSPlease contact our local partners.For further information please visit our websites: www.biotop-natural-pool.co.ukwww.living-pool.co.uk

3. “Teichklar” (clear pond) is effective in fighting green algae by binding the phosphorus contained in water and thereby depriving the algae of sustenance. A milky solution falls as flakes to the pool floor and can be vacuumed up.

4. Have your tap and water source analised. If the phosphorus concentration in the water is too high, it should be run through a PhosTec-Filter before it is used to fill the pool.

5. Cleaning the pool itself. By removing sediment and sludge, the phosphorus they contain is also removed, thus assuring more oxygen-rich conditions.

6. Prevent any nutrients from outside the pool from entering, by installing drainage pipes and capillary barriers.

7. Finally, algae growth can be countered by renovating the natural pool, in particular if there is no equipment or if the existing equipment is not working adequately.

What to do if there are too many water snails?

Part of an natural pool that functions ecologically is a sufficient number of animals. If the individual number of water snails in the pool seems to be excessive, ramshorn snails, great pond snails (Lymnaea stagnalis) can be reduced by removing them manually. Take your surplus snails to another natural water outlet to release them.

What to do about water lily beetles?

Several methods can be combined where insecticides are not an option. Water lilly beetle larvae can be removed manually and affected leaves can be cut out. Water lily beetles can also be controlled by natural enemies such as frogs.

FAQ

zuM InhalT →

www.biotop-natural-pool.co.uk

BIOTOP International

Hauptstrasse 2853411 Weidling/AustriaTel.: +43/(0)2243/304 06Fax: +43/(0)7205/703-40E-Mail: office@biotop-gmbh.atwww.biotop-natural-pool.co.ukwww.living-pool.co.uk