Dear friends,
We would love to hear about your current BioNova® projects. Please send Ryan, ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com, any information and pictures of your projects and we will gladly put them in the newsletter to share with all of the dealers. Thank you and we hope to see your inputs soon!
Here’s what’s happening at BioNova® Natural Pools North America…
Organic Staining in a Natural Pool: What Should You Do?
If you notice brown, green, or dark discoloration on the floor or walls of your natural swimming pool, your first instinct may be to assume something is wrong. But in a natural pool, staining and discoloration can have several causes—and they don’t necessarily indicate a problem with the system.
Organic staining is often caused by leaves, pollen, tannins, soil, and other natural materials that find their way into the pool and begin to break down. Areas where debris settles, particularly corners and low-flow areas, are more likely to develop discoloration.
Start With the Simple Things
Before reaching for chemicals, start by removing the source of the staining. Remove leaves and other organic debris, then gently brush the affected surfaces. Vacuuming the pool can also help remove the material that has settled on the bottom.
Pay particular attention to areas where circulation may be reduced. Good hydraulics are critical in a natural pool, and dead spots can allow organic material to accumulate and create persistent discoloration.
Is It Really a Stain?
What looks like staining may actually be biofilm or algae. A thin green or brown film on the walls or floor can be part of the natural biological ecosystem.
Try gently brushing the area. If the material releases from the surface, you’re likely dealing with a biological growth or organic deposit rather than a permanent stain.
This is an important distinction because the appropriate response is very different.
Don’t Reach for Chemicals Too Quickly
One of the biggest mistakes a natural pool owner can make is treating every discoloration like a problem that needs to be chemically eliminated.
Natural pools depend on a living biological ecosystem to maintain water quality. Aggressive treatments such as chlorine or other oxidizing chemicals can disrupt that ecosystem and potentially create more problems than they solve.
Instead, focus first on debris removal, circulation, filtration, and maintaining a healthy biological system.
Check Your Water and Your Filtration
If organic staining continues to return, it’s worth looking beyond the surface.
Check that your circulation system is moving water effectively throughout the pool. Examine areas where debris may be collecting, and make sure the biofilter and regeneration zone are functioning as intended.
Water testing can also provide valuable information. Nutrients such as phosphates can contribute to unwanted biological growth, so testing can help determine whether there is an underlying nutrient issue.
Let the Ecosystem Do Its Job
A natural pool isn’t supposed to look and behave exactly like a chemically treated swimming pool. Some biological activity is not only normal, it’s essential.
The goal isn’t necessarily to eliminate every trace of biofilm, organic material, or natural discoloration. The goal is to maintain a balanced ecosystem that keeps the swimming water clean, clear, and healthy.
So, the next time you see a little organic staining, don’t panic. Remove the debris, check your circulation, inspect your filtration, test when appropriate, and give your natural pool’s ecosystem a chance to do what it was designed to do.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
We hope you all continue to stay healthy during these trying times and wish all of our BioNova® Dealers our best to you and your families.
Questions, Concerns, Thoughts
As always, we encourage you to contact us and share your thoughts, questions, and concerns with BioNova®. We are available to assist you in any way we can. Feel free to email me directly with photos, project updates, testimonials, etc., and we’ll include them in an upcoming Newsletter.
Respectfully,
Ryan Harmer
BioNova® Natural Pools
ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com
609-318-4707
