Draining & Cleaning our MASSIVE 18th Century Swimming Pool (again!)

[@MappertonLive]

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[@c.r.p.968]

You REALLY should submerge mesh bags filled with biochar to filter your pool water. It will charge the biochar, which in turn can be used as superfertilizer, sequestering that nitrogen that messed up the pool back into the ground along with the carbon biochar. Plansts grow up to 70% larger. Full circle, win/win. Clean water, sequestered carbon, nutrients in garden.

[@PLuMUK54]

My late father used to do that with his pool, and it was always clear.

[@happycamper4328]

Biochar definitely works!

[@ruthbaird1646]

I had never even heard of that before.

[@dts57835]

It works...I do this here in NC in my 1.5 acre pond. I built a container that I load with charcoal. It has mesh sides and stays submerged with a barrel bottom mounted on top, filled with floatation foam, and a fountain pump that makes a nice water feature that oxygenated and cleans water. I clean it and refill it once a year.

[@Skattie]

Yip get to the core issue

[@c.r.p.968]

You should also float solar powered water fountains that will keep the water moving and air circulating.

[@elbruces]

Those could be incorporated into the plant floaters.

[@samanthab1923]

I love that idea

[@LL-xt7yo]

Turtles do fine on their own so no real need to add more turtles. However, swimming in water shared with a turtle can be problematic as turtles can be a source of Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that is naturally found in the gut of turtles. So, take care when swimming and wash thoroughly upon exiting the water.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

I was going to say the same thing. Also the waste of a lot of turtles is going to create more issues.

[@WhirlyPearly]

That’s why they quit selling tiny turtles back in the 1960’s 70’s as pets, salmonella was rampant. 🇨🇦

[@willowashe]

There are illnesses you are way more likely to get from a giant pool of stagnant water than salmonella from a single turtle.

[@yvethemetriccrafter688]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@RebeccaChamberlin-ph4gx]

I don't see that being a problem since it is such a big pool. People swim in lakes and ponds all the time where there are turtles without issues

[@MarciesWhimsySoaps]

Helloooo!🙋‍♀️ We have murky pond troubles often in TN, USA and one of the things we do to combat the algae is to put a floating solar sprinkler in it. The moving water deters the algae from forming and keeps the water aerated. Hope that helps! Keep up the great work!😊

[@amzf9008]

Turtle waste is a problem in small home turtle tanks because it encourages algae growth. I don't think you want a bunch of turtles fertilizing your pool!

[@karenlynn7731]

That is what I was thinking!

[@willowashe]

Turtles are not going to keep anything clean! They’re cute, but they are stinky little buggers. If you want to keep them right, your new hobby is going to be constantly tweaking filtration systems and lighting.

[@tinabrewer1]

Scrub the pool first then use a commercial pump and filter system to filter and clean the water. Then you dont have to drain it.

[@Ceelle2]

Aeration is absolutely needed. But it is a beautiful pool.

[@GenaF]

Splurtles may eat a lot but they also poop an awful lot. My friend had to clean her sponge filter twice a day because of hers

[@kathleentaylor8840]

Poop + Samonella = Unhygenic, like lead!?!

[@willowashe]

@@kathleentaylor8840 Unless they plan on licking Splurtle, I don’t think salmonella is really the biggest bacterial concern in a giant pool of standing water.

[@thebabscat]

@@willowashe Do you realize how many times a day you touch your face? If it's in the turtle, it's in the water they are swimming in.

[@robertkerby2581]

I loved your commitment to catching your turtle; cleaning the pool,; and restoring the pool to it's formal glory so that you may swim in the pool! I cannot wait to see the next episode when you fill the pool with water and have your inaugural swim! Well done!

[@kathyevans2968]

What a labour of love for this beautiful historic pool. Definitely a team effort!

[@ancientwindsbagpiper8727]

I vote for Spurtle the Turtle t shirts , mugs , and hats!!!

[@Tamara-db3ep]

The reason I believe your turtle liked the pool so much is that it's somewhat like a swamp.... might be good for a turtle but not so good for a human...I could be wrong.... but I don't think so. Good luck with the turtle issue as well as your other issues. I love history and you are part of the manor and its lands history. Again lots of luck.

[@kellydiver]

I will have my gardeners clean my 18th Century pool as soon as I dig enough change out of the sofa cushions. 😂

[@alidabotes6264]

😅😅😅

[@llxxblondiexxll]

Yep this video is soooo relatable 😅

[@keithball6749]

I think you mean “my garden team” because what is 18Th Century English Country House ownership if not ta-ta and cheerio TEAMWORK, right??😂

[@studio_buehler]

​@@keithball6749 Don't you remember all the work WE did, you know, as a TEAM? We even got a spot of dirt on our bespoke rubber boots!

[@iAmAlexRafael]

The pool is one of my favorite parts of this channel!

[@samanthab1923]

Always!

[@bryaghoflegend2796]

A fairly common practice with fishing lakes is to dye the water to stop algae blooms or to add a floating aerator if there is lots of dissolved oxygen in the water algae finds it hard to grow.. You could perhaps use a pool vac to get the sledge from the bottom of the pool.

[@ae-hv9kc]

I do think that the additional bio load added by the turtle (and was this the same place all those frogs were?), needs to be considered.

[@joanknudsen-zp9wg]

Tak!

[@pamcollins3859]

Watching from US you might need a fountain in the pool to help circulate the water we have them in a lot of our ponds here in the states. Good luck !!!

[@alidabotes6264]

Like this suggestion. Will look spectacular!

[@suewilson1801]

Our neighbors solved their problem with a wonderful floating fountain that changes colors and can even play music. No more green slimy pond.

[@donnapecoraro3126]

Splurtle. Definitely cute but I had a turtle and they are big poopers. Swimming in turtle poop? Maybe in a lake with a natural working ecosystem but an enclosed pool with no aeration, no. Are we sure this is a pool? For swimming?

[@pheart2381]

I suppose there was already frog and newt poop.

[@warrenwhite8605]

I would not get in that pool

[@KasSommers]

Why are two of the shrubs cut in half? It's very interesting to see the internal structure.

[@amyforsch3070]

I was going to comment on this as well: will they grow back? Thanks for the beautiful shots!

[@cordoesart]

I would assume it’s because of either damage from sth external and then they cut it back or maybe some fungus or sth ?

[@johnnyc5382.]

Top notch editing w a beautiful background score made the mundane pool cleaning into a lovely & relaxing video !

[@MappertonLive]

Thank you very much!

[@BLS2008]

Viewing from the US here! Cool project! You can get a typical pool sand filter and pump setup that could potentially be non-invasive and go a LONG WAY to keeping the algae at bay along with the plants! You could then have the ability to vacuum the pool easily and the water will be a lot clearer.

[@annesummers2109]

Is there any way for Splurtle to get out of the pool, or is he trapped once he’s in there? If not, perhaps you should put a couple of ramps up to the edge…this will also keep other critters from drowning if they fall in the pool…critters like bunnies, ducklings, cats, etc.

[@niabhinghy]

next year you should paint the inside of the pool with waterproof rubber pool paint I bet it would make it so much easier to clean and be harder for the green stuff to grow on. x

[@dawnnelson6071]

Im from the US and I absolutely love your show😊The pool is an incredible sight. Beautiful ❤️ But if I may make a suggestion, i know you want to keep the natural aspects of the pool, but a liner would really help keep the cement from crumbling over time. Power sprayers every year will only weaken things I'm afraid. They can look very natural. And I wonder, if Luke's ancestors had access to today's technology, would they have used it?😊 just a suggestion. Go Squirtle😁🤘🐢

[@tcm087]

It unnerves me to swim in water when I can’t see to the bottom or there’s mush/slime on the bottom but I love the idea of natural swimming pools. Someone built their own family’s natural swimming pool; it was set up with plantings in a separate area along side their pool and water was filtered through the plants before the water returned to the pool. It seemed more complicated than I describe, but I wonder if setting up something like that along the sides so everything grows in specific areas and the center of the pool stays clear. I am sure it isn’t possible with a historical site. Very interesting to see your endeavors. If the turtles actually help, I think it’s great to add them in.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

Turtles make Salmonella more likely and greatly increase the bacteria in the water.

[@tcm087]

@@SalyLuz-hc6he perhaps they’ll take that into consideration or that is adding to the blooms they’re seeing then

[@AudriannaB-World-Peace]

Best to have fountains in there to keep it fresh...solar fountains are really inexpensive but so helpful! Yes..some ramps to keep animals from falling in and then having no way to get out!

[@sandralongoria1483]

I would consider a filtration system. Or what about an aerator?

[@niabhinghy]

are you gonna get him a ramp so he can actually get out of the pool and bask in the sun when he needs to. x

[@loulou6396]

Behind my 18th century New England Colonial home I have a 20th century gunite pool. Although I do use chemicals (bromine) I use a very minimal amount and my pool stays crystal clear (without ever fully draining it.) I think the secret to my success is 2-fold. First, I have a DE filtration system. Next, I have what was marketed as a "floor cleaning system' but I think is more accurately called 'a water moving system'. Water is pulled out of the pool via a pump, goes through the DE filter, goes back to the pool through an actuator. The actuator is essentially a gear system that outputs the filtered water into the pool via floorheads that work in sequence. What this does is effectively moves the water throughout the pool. If you don't want to use a filter, you could just run pipes on the bottom of the pool and (via sump-pumps) move the water around. That alone may help. Good luck!

[@rolo4945]

My husband owns a pool company, we used to do gunite and marble plaster. We have a fibreglass,pool with chlorinator, salt water. It’s beautiful. This pool has so much organic material. That is seeping through. My husband says this size pool needs so many more plants for a natural pool. Prob best to line it with something to stop the water seeping in from the side walls.

[@longwaytotipperary]

So glad Spurtle is thriving!! Taking care of the pool seems daunting- you and Luke are doing a wonderful job!!

[@lynneuribeross2695]

Awe!!! So glad you found the turtle!!!!!!

[@lisanixon9284]

You still need a filter pump because of the dust n leaves, etc..build up into sludge. You wouldn't need to clean up all the mud debris every year..

[@codename495]

Yeah but the historical significance of the property means that they cannot just install, remove, update or repair things at will. Any change, at all has to be approved by the antiquities council and done in a historically accurate methods.

[@samanthab1923]

@@codename495That sucks. They really need a filter

[@pheart2381]

Its also full of frogs and newts in summer. The ecobalance would be disrupted.

[@toniswift6058]

Hi Julie and Luke, I love watching all the hard work you and the team put into keeping the house and gardens so picture perfect. Thank you both for sharing... So pleased to see one healthy turtle. x

[@GaliSinatra]

Depending on what type of turtle, they usually need mud to burrow into and something to climb on out of the water.

[@alkemy9279]

And a friend.

[@GaliSinatra]

@@alkemy9279 Yes, quite a few friends

[@TashasTattoos]

I just figured out that's why the turtle never left.. He couldn't get out😂😮 But he's had a happy healthy life it looks like and I'm sure he was able to get into the planters for land so it doesn't look like it's hurt him at all!

[@janmitchell641]

The pool cleaning music reminded me of an old western, I kept expecting to see cowboys galloping over the ridge on their Pintos and Palominos!😂

[@tangerinetigerlily1]

i watch a lot of palladium and natural pool videos. Gravel bottom for nutrient eating bacteria? More floating islands (up to 1/3 of the surface if the pool). Also terrestrial or emergent plants soak up more nutrients than fully aquatic ones. A full bog filter area would help immensely as you could combine all these things into one area.

[@stevenkaskus6173]

I Think it's time to look at some of the suggestions for filtering the pool, many options these days for "Natural scape pools" with native water plants and no chlorine.

[@mikemotorbike4283]

Consider using a "Surface Cleaner" on the wand. It's a disk shaped enclosed plastic cowl (like a lawn mower shell) enclosing two spinning nozzles. The 1/2" spraying distance gets the surface evenly and triply clean (spray is aimed uniformly close to the surface, whereas manual wand raises at the end of each swing, and rows are inconsistent, not evenly spaced.) Uses 5x less: water/time/gas-electricity/pump wear; easier on the back, less annoying to neighbours, and cheaper for labour. The inexpensive ones are less than $100. Especially useful for driveways and walks, and keeping backspray safely contained, beneficial to keep dort sensitive places clean (no flying dirt from flowerbeds, delicate woodwork, overspray on sensitive surfaces, windows, art etc); also safer for those watching, and your workclothes clothes stay dry. At the very least, use a turbo nozzle (spinning) cleans twice as fast.

[@funguy170]

I really adore Julie's style, she's such a lowkey countryhouse hipster. But also, I really love the floating islands, every time I see them I think it would be so amazing to put simple mass-produced acorn finials at each corner, and maybe even (again mass-produced) wooden rococo pediments centered on each side. It would look like a parade of Royal Barges! (Did I spell that right? autocorrect has nothing to say on the subject of barges. Also I know nothing about approvals on listed houses.)

[@chrisadams8166]

What fabulous gardens you have ❤️

[@IWasntListeningToYou]

These pools are so beautiful. You need surface plants and underwater plants to naturally filter water properly. Most people put fish in to complete the balance, putting a turtle in works, he probably feasted on frog legs. I'd put a ton more plants in than you have though. Reeds, water lilys, there are tons of water plants to chose from. Getting oxygen and movement in the water would help. I'd talk to a pond aquascaper. There are filtration options that would help control the algae. Also it's going to bloom with algae worse on a water change year because the pond hasn't biologically settled yet. Be careful of your toes when swimming with turtles though, they can be nibbley..

[@LolaMarigold]

Keep some snapping turtles in there Julie. You will feel even more refreshed after a swim. LOL. Is the other pool a swimming area as well?

[@genevievemurray7743]

In Australia if you need a pool dug or a fence installed etc you call on your mates to volunteer for the day. You lay on morning and afternoon tea, sandwiches for lunch and at end the day with a barbecue and beer. This could work for the reeding of the bottom of the pool. Bring your own bathers and towels.

[@robertmcnamara5407]

We could volunteer together. A trip to England might be nice.🤣

[@Allannah_Of_Rome]

Yep, that's what us Aussies do! No airs or graces here! 😂

[@frankiepitt9135]

You Aussie’s are wonderful people, much better than we are here in UK. Long live your perfection.

[@robertmcnamara5407]

@@frankiepitt9135 It's not perfection, any Aussie that thinks that is a bit on the nose, it's taking the mickey out of stuff and just getting on with it. Apparently a bit of an Irish trait also, which is understandable.

[@virginiacharlotte7007]

Let’s hope David’s idea of underwater reed beds helps with water clarity. Turtles will also add to the ammonia/ nitrite/ nitrate cycle- so don’t overstock the pond with too many poop producers. You may also consider going the low voltage natural bog filter route. And including some bubblers/ aerators. Could that ‘Queens bathing house’ sludge pit (that Luke tormented you with!!) sit close enough to pool to somehow become an external natural bog filter? . Being able to skim out falling leaves before they start rotting into the pool might help too. I don’t know. Just some thoughts. However, if you want to learn about building economical low voltage pump, bog style filters - then the you tube channel ‘Oz Ponds’ is great. Kev is an amateur enthusiast for crystal clear natural ponds with minimal maintenance. You could get some ideas from him. Good luck with it all :)

[@annburge291]

Love your choice of music for this video... majestic and exciting like the pool.

[@cindimams4394]

It looks beautiful and perfectly compliments the land and the great historical home. I love the floating plants. I wonder if you can use a pool vacuum to keep the sludge off the bottom and some fountains to keep the water moving?

[@suburbanhomestead]

I imagine you need at least half of the surface covered by plants. so Adding waterlily and water lotus is a great way to go. Plants use up the nutrients and block some sunlight to help decrease algae.

[@maryanntraphagen5910]

Didn’t David recommend having bubblers too. You can buy solar floating fountains for a bird bath, I wonder if a few or a dozen of those would hel with the aeration. Or if u could have a couple of larger ones running on solar. ❤❤❤❤

[@nenetovar]

How about solar floating pump system? So the pump works with the Sun ☀?

[@dloadthis1617]

Hi Julie, I'm so thankful you decided to clean that pool. There are deadly brain-eating amoebas that lurk in water like that...... especially if it has a turtle living in it. Please do some reasearch on Naegleria fowleri infection

[@pheart2381]

People have washed themselves in ponds and streams for tens of thousands of years. I wonder whether these amoebas are fairly recent,imported with plants and weeds from abroad maybe? It never used to be a problem. Or even a result of climate change.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

@@pheart2381 This is not free-flowing water it also has at least one turtle, whose excrement and mere presence makes Salmonella increasingly likely.

[@chelseypool588]

I just love your giant pool!! I have a natural swimming pond pool (way small compared to yours though) oxygen would help the clarity a lot and help the beneficial bacteria thrive. Maybe for simplicity try adding 3 aerators with diffusers if you have a place to plug them in. No electricity is in the water so still safe for swimming. Then buying packets of beneficial bacteria. (Think probiotics in a tummy, it helps digest and keep a healthy balance in the water) maybe those 2 things could get you an extra year of not cleaning/draining? (I have had 1-3 turtles in my pond every year and Love them too) brings a glimmer to my day. Plant water mint in your floating bogs, they naturally help disinfect the water as well! I sure hope I can visit your magical home someday. Cheers!!

[@amyslowikgrossman835]

I love Nestor, he’s such a sweet kid and a great sport. 😂

[@charmainejfritz]

big pool and big job to keep it clean i was hoping those floating gardens would do the trick keeping it really clean maybe those additonal reeds you will be adding really help a lot but i hope it leaves a lot of room to swim in!!

[@silva7493]

I hate to break it to you guys, but as someone who has reared a turtle from the size of a small cookie to the size of a large dinner plate, and was the responsible party for his weekly tank cleanings, Splurtle will be making substantial daily nutrient deposits in the pool. I think any more turtle pals for him would threaten to overcome your biological filtration system in little time.

[@pollyb.4648]

I'd add underwater plants and didn't David talk about aerators?

[@erink4685]

Power washing wasn’t the problem so much as it knocked out old grout and hole plugs which then let in even more nutrients from surrounding earth and leaks, hence the algae. Those were all fixed so presumably power washing is ok to do now.

[@pollyb.4648]

@@erink4685 Ok, cool, thx.

[@milliegarrett8459]

Needs more plants and some of David's 'bubble pumps'. (Thankfully low power and low cost.)

[@Susan.I]

Glad you found the turtle while emptying the pool!

[@SweetOne.]

Wow! Has it been 2 years already? So glad to see that the repairs have held and the pool is good for another refill. That must have been a relief to not see the pool filling back up while trying to empty it. Maybe spurtle will have to live in the next pool down with his own floaty?

[@edithallen238]

Are you cleaning the other pool as well (the one on the other side of the crossover)?

[@paulacarroll9665]

Does the other pool next to it also have to be drained and cleaned?

[@jocquemorrison9785]

So glad you found the turtle 🐢.

[@BwInNewJersey]

How many years are we going to be dealing with this pool?

[@GenaF]

😂every year!

[@susanadams-wauro6716]

This was a delightful video! The music, the banter....such fun. Spurtle the Turtle is darling! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@lynettecockburn332]

Just thinking that Spurtle may enjoy a Mrs Spurtle? Also if they grow to the size of their environment you may create the Loch Mapperton Monster. Definitely a tourist attraction in its own right! I first started watching you guys two years ago cos of your beautiful natural and historic pool. I admire you so much Julie for your determination, energy and early morning swim x

[@AnanthaNatureFotos]

LOVE the Vibrant, pool cleaning music 🎼⛲️

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

Now that the pool is drained, how about going all-in (sorry) and build cement block reed boxes along two sides? I know its a big undertaking, but then it's done and dusted.

[@outdooraddictiontv5325]

Blue pond dye will help lower the sun penetration, which was slow down the algae growth solar aeration add a couple koi. Just a couple will keep the algae at bay also water hyacinth will do amazing for water filtration then just remove them at the end of season before they die and rot very easy since they float on the surface just net them out they make great compost

[@jilldewitt3651]

Great music for the pool cleaning!

[@marymerrill1612]

Not again! What happened??!!!

[@heathermichael3987]

Ok , I love that pool .

[@ae-hv9kc]

I have a fish pond and I don’t use any chemicals in it at all and the water is very clear and clean. I do use an ultra-violet filter light. You wouldn’t need to pump some water out and through the filter and then back in again but it looks to me like you have some ports where you could quite easily to that. Yes, you do need some electricity (could be solar supplied?) to energize the pump and filter it wouldn’t be that much. This could be a chemical free way for you to keep your pool clean.

[@juliederry3719]

Wow Julie what a huge job, where does all that muck at the bottom of the pool come from?, hopefully there is a solution to keep it clean, kudos to you both and your team, it can’t be easy taking care of such an amazing beautiful home, tfs x Julie

[@mattmarks7581]

Great job guys! Question, is there a difference between the 2 sides of the pool? Thanks!!

[@Sushi2735]

I know you love your icy swims. Glad it’s ready to go. Definitely get more turtles. They like the company ❤

[@davidepperson2376]

Geez Louise -you clearly have the resources - plaster the walls and install a filtration system. You won’t regret it.

[@Thepublicaccount]

It’s about preserving the historical aspects. I believe that they are operating under a historical property license and to do that you’re not allowed to just do anything you want to do

[@katrish786]

I love your videos about the pool. That pool fascinates me.

[@janicewawrykow6114]

Ooo,Spurtle!, in the house! 🎉

[@chadfellers9128]

Its very simple.. you need water flow aka circulation and some kind of bio media to help filter and eat up the nute load. Not that will you do it but you can simply build a wall, bury a centipede at one end and fill space with large gravel followed with smaller gravel down to pea gravel on top, plant plants in pea gravel, pump from centipede to other side of pool to several jets at bottom of pool on the other side.. For better results you could even use the front pond as a filter pond to circulation back into the swimming pond on a larger scale filtration and get even better clarity and less maintenance then above suggestion

[@californiadreamer2580]

What about using a solar powered sand filter to help remove some of the grunge that accumulates, and to help aerate the water. Just requires simple back wash to clean it, not a lot of effort required.

[@ruthmiller8919]

Hi Luke and Julie go as natural as you can have fun swimming

[@99shoebox]

I would ask the Flawless Cleaners to come in. They are amazing.

[@alisonsneed3707]

I have to subscribe now just so I don’t miss the refilled finished pool. I was expecting this video to show you doing a lap in a clean pool.

[@LC-bb6jd]

Need a fountain to aerate the water.Love the pool!!

[@Positively_Houston]

Julie, can you tell us what the other pool across from the one you swim in is? It looks just like the pool you swim in but is it a reflection pond or something? 😀⛲

[@pamelalarson3427]

I was wondering about this also.

[@MappertonLive]

I'd our lily pond. :-)

[@robinmiller1898]

@@MappertonLiveI’d put the turtle here…decreases turtle poop issues in swimming pool.

[@pamelalarson3427]

@@MappertonLive Is there fish in the lily pond? What kind of maintenance do you have to do to keep it up? Do you ever have algae problems in that pond? Would love to see the lilies when they are in bloom.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

@@MappertonLive please don't swim with turtles. This makes you much more likely to catch salmonella and get ill from their waste.

[@theatheearthkiller5281]

I love Raymond suppressing his “yes Julie” lol…. I hear attempted patience…very much so😂

[@Tedthehammer]

A very amazing stately home love the swimming pool keep up the great work you both do

[@leeleevu]

I have seen your pool cleaning videos and I'm wondering if there's anything that can be sprayed on the stone to repel the slime algae??

[@richardaprilball3790]

What's going on with the trees that have been cut in half? Genuinely wondering.

[@ladysparkymartin]

Leaving Nestor out there for days is exactly what my parents would have done! 😂

[@AlaPic3005]

There is a tremendous Koi enthusiast community in England. Raising Koi is water management…ask about. A few barges of plants will be a losing battle. Also, add edging to stop lawn water runoff of nutrients into the pool

[@SezArrow]

Adding a bog filter somehow to circulate water through planted gravel would work wonders for this. Could create one within the pool along one side, or externally between the two pools.

[@sarahmiller4069]

You have to put in some kind of a running fountain so that it's circulates the water in the pool and it'll keep it clean Big fountain that pulls the water up and throws it out and just keeps circulating the water in the pool

[@len6871]

Golded plates charged the water. The dirt falles down bcs of changed water structure. Used as in salt water pools.

[@angelacatirina]

Love your series❤ I have many questions: I’d love an episode where you explained the historical and modern relevance of the various titles. As an American I think we all have a somewhat clear understanding of Soverign and Prince or Princess but get a little lost with the rest. How long can Viscountesses be traced back and what was the point of the title throughout history? As well as all of the other titles. Were these houses their own kingdoms? Do your in-laws still live at Mapperton? Thanks so much for all you share and do ❤

[@samanthab1923]

What happened to the two ornamental shrubs?

[@Druppelsgewijs]

since you got no water surface skimmer filter all the debree is just staying in the pond, like sticks & leaves so it will dirty up the pond fast, each year with autum & winter, a skimmer would collect the most debree that falls in

[@rontrelweatherbee6978]

Loved this convo!!!

[@rossimages201]

We have a natural pool, we find the balance with rafts should be 40-60% minimum of the pool surface, we also have a small bio filter that keeps the water moving and getting rid of excess algae and aerates the water (water coming out makes a little fountain), it was also very cheap. We have also put teeny fish in the pool, they do wonders for the algae too, and stay far away from you when they are swimming. We are in a warm climate though. Get more rafts in the water. Our pool is roughly 2/3 the volume of your pool by the looks of it.

[@blippityblop2767]

Bamboo. Grows like crazy in aquatic settings and sucks up nutrients. Just make sure to get the right type of

[@marygoodson4920]

Where does the water go when you drain it? and where does the water come from to re-fill it?