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…
From Green to Clean: How a Natural Pool Clears Up in Just One Week
When you first open up a natural swimming pool for the season, it can be disheartening to see murky green water, algae buildup, and a layer of organic debris on the bottom. But before you consider draining it or reaching for chemical treatments, know this: a natural pool can go from dirty and green to crystal clear in just a week—simply through regular vacuuming and the incredible efficiency of natural filtration.
Here’s how the transformation happens, and why it’s easier than you might think.
Day 1: Starting Up – A Green Beginning
With any pool, including our Princeton site, sitting idle over the winter or an extended break, organic matter like leaves, pollen, algae spores, and dust collect in the water. As temperatures rise and sunlight increases, algae begin to thrive, turning the water green and cloudy.
This combination can turn a pool into a swamp. But underneath the natural filtration system, within the gravel beds and aquatic plants, the beneficial bacteria are still intact, just waiting to be reactivated.
Days 2–3: Vacuuming Away the Problem
The biggest contributor to murky water in a natural pool is nutrient buildup. Decomposing plant matter and algae feeding off nitrogen and phosphorus. The fastest way to start clearing the water is by vacuuming the bottom of the pool daily.
Using a manual or robotic vacuum, remove as much of the organic sludge as possible. This immediately reduces the nutrient load, robbing algae of what it needs to survive. It also improves water circulation and light penetration, which benefits the plants and microbes in the filtration zone.
After just a day or two of vacuuming, you’ll likely notice:
- Less suspended debris
- Algae starting to die off
- Water clarity beginning to improve
Days 4–5: Natural Filtration Kicks In
With the swimming zone cleaned up, the natural filtration system begins to wake up and take over. Within the system:
- Aquatic plants in the regeneration zone start actively absorbing nutrients from the water.
- Gravel and filter media foster colonies of beneficial bacteria that digest organic material.
- Circulating water distributes oxygen and pushes impurities through the filtration zones.
Days 6–7: Crystal Clear Waters
By the end of the week, the pool will look like a different place entirely. What was once a green, uninviting mess is now a clear, healthy, and vibrant body of water.
The transformation is so fast because the pool’s ecology is designed to self-regulate, once it’s not overwhelmed with excess nutrients or decomposing matter. No chemicals needed. No draining required. Just simple, consistent maintenance and trust in the system.
As long as the regeneration zone is healthy and there’s enough circulation, the system can rebound quickly—even after a long dormant season.
Final Tips for a Smooth Start-Up
- Vacuum daily for the first week, or until most sediment is gone.
- Clean skimmers and filters every few days to avoid clogs.
- Check pumps and circulation to ensure even water flow through both zones.
The Takeaway
A dirty, green natural pool at the beginning of the season is normal, and reversible. With just a week of consistent vacuuming and allowing the natural filtration system to do its job, your pool can go from murky to magnificent without a single drop of chlorine. It’s a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, when you work with it, not against it.
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
