Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

It is well worth it!!

is it possible to keep the water and walls clean enough that it's not gross to swim in?

Morning DandM can you tell what UV Clarifier you are using, also wattage and Litres per hour. How long does the UV globe last? Cheers

hi ccBear,
We have a UV clarifier from http://www.lotusblossomwatergardens.com ... fiers.html

Ours is a pondmaster UVC 18 W which is for 18,000LPH (12,000 litre capacity pool)

I think you just did us a favour by asking....... it made me look for the details.....which mentions maintenance like replacing the bulb every 5,000-6,000 hours......which means ours is WAY overdue for a change.......
Thank you!

tcshad-
The walls and floor of the pool are covered in algae. I don't think there is any way of avoiding that. The water however should be clear (ours isn't at the moment, perhaps because of above ). We just dip in and out, and don't really think it would be safe for children as they are more likely to get water up their nose. Not sure, but better to stay safe.

Dandm, what is the difference between going for a dip in your 'natural' pool and swimming in a lake, billabong or waterhole? Typically there are fish and their waste in these water bodies, as well as pond slime and detritus, and humans have been swimming in them for countless generations. As far as I know, more people have died at the hands of Bunyips at these locations than as a result of non UV filtered pond water.
Am I missing something or is there just a small, and arguably very acceptable, risk to one's health in taking a dip in a non UV filtered or otherwise treated pond/fishtank?

Its 10000l on a recirculating system and you are introducing warm blooded animals, and the sort that can introduce interesting (read that as harmful to humans) bacteria into that closed system.
There are some algae and natural bacteria that can be a bit difficult to humans but mainly the threat comes from ourselves.
And besides UV is good for fish health too.

Re the stats on Bunyips, I would like to see that.

[quote="PLJ"]Dandm, what is the difference between going for a dip in your 'natural' pool and swimming in a lake, billabong or waterhole? [/quote]

To us there isn't a huge difference- swimming in our pool is like swimming in a brackish lake/pond. I think as Sleepe indicated though, it is a relatively small amount of circulating water compared to a river or lake so figure the risk is a bit higher.
It doesn't stop us swimming in our pool at all, we much prefer it to the sterile chlorinated version we used to have....but it isn't for everybody and we wouldn't want to 'recommend' it for those with young children who are more likely to swallow it or get it up their nose!

I'd be more worried about my fish...

Fish are cold blooded.. so the risk of any bacterial contamination from the fish is small... any contaminants would be introduced by external factors.... like people swimming in there....

I had not thought that it would be a problem gettin in my tank (11000 gallons) which I do quite a bit doing maintenance and such. My pump is in the middle of the tank and needs looking at ever once in a while. Quite refreshing in the winter. Kinda nice in the summer.

I had never heard of a bunyip until this morning whilst reading this thread
For this I am grateful!

also a bit fearful of bunyips, but I suspect that will pass

Mr Aristaeus, your fear is understandable but you can be thankful that you also don't have to contend with Dropbears over in your part of the world. Government statistics show that Dropbears are responsible for the grisly demise of more bushwalking/camping visitors to our fair land than Bunyips are responsible for the untimely disappearance of unsuspecting lakeside campers and paddlers!

This image may give you a better idea of what I am talking about.
Image deleted.
You may have noticed that many regular Aussie contributors to this forum have suddenly gone quiet, ie no further posts, no sale of AP system, no goodbyes - nothing. Think Dropbear or Bunyip.
In short, don't lower your guard for a moment if you are travelling through Australia: you will find yourself in a world of hurt.

Dandm, I trust you have your DPS (Dropbear Protection System) in place and are being a bit more responsible with its maintenance than you have been with your UV clarifier bulb!

Good one

OK, yes now that I think about it it's not that the water is too dangerous to start with, it's once our filthy children start dipping their germ soaked bodies in there and those germs start multiplying that's the problem.

I understand. Shame that.

I might add too that if your lucky enough to survive the terrors from above in Australia..... there is so much more to contend with.

LOL shark with frickin lasers ..????.. and danni minogue ...T.T