Small success

[Ludi]

Even after showing them all the beautiful pictures of natural swimming pools? http://www.naturalswimmingpools.com/

[Pakanohida]

Kids might not like the biting effect that curious fish may bestow.

For example, my 4 (nearly 5) year old is still freaked out by the 'Kreepy Krawley' or 'Pool Cleaner'. I'm not sure dark depths with flashes of silver while a frog swims past will go down well.

Fish are not kept in a natural swimming pool. Fish that would be included would be more scared of the human then the human of the fish. They would not bite.

[Ludi]

Fish are not kept in a natural swimming pool.

That's an interesting statement of "fact" which I'm not totally convinced is absolutely true.

"Most natural swimming pools have fish in them, but you don’t have to worry about them bothering you or biting your toes. These fish are friendly, and they’re more interested in getting acquainted with the algae and insects in the pool. Plus, they’re very relaxing to watch, and you can feed them when you’re not swimming!"

http://greenopolis.com/goblog/green-...-swimming-pool

In any case, I think one might have a fish side and a human side to the pool (with a division of some sort between, perhaps the shallow filter zone). I've personally decided to have a frog pond instead of a fish pond, I think, and keep the fish to the aquaponics.

[mischief]

My step sister uses a sand filter system for their pool,could this be an option for you.
I dont know never having had a pool myself.

Might be case of one step at a time, looking at what will move your property closer and closer to how you want it in easily manageble bites.
I seriously recommend changing things bit by bit rather than going all out like we did.
That way you get to learn how things need tweaking and can keep ontop of everything rather than having to play catch up cos so many things take off all at once.

[S.O.P]

Fish are not kept in a natural swimming pool. Fish that would be included would be more scared of the human then the human of the fish. They would not bite.

That was in reference to this:

Or even this if we are going extreme permaculture!? Convert your eco-unfriendly pool into a biologically attractive fish farm.

[Pakanohida]

That was in reference to this:

Actually, it was in reference to the book Ludi cited which explains in detail how to make a natural swimming pool & suggests NOT to keep fish, and I agree. Keeping fish in a swimming area is well beyond the scope of 99% of people to handle due to increased pollution.

It just so happens I read the book Ludi posted and took notes last month, it is in my local library now.

[Finchj]

Congrats on the new plants Matt!

Saline pools are very nice to swim in, although I don't know more about them than that.

You can always have a few fish in your frog ponds, which are basically what our ponds are for. 15 cent feeder gold fish keep the mosquitos away, and they also enjoy eating any bugs we throw in there. They devoured the squash bugs that invaded this year.

[Ludi]

Fish eat frog eggs and small tadpoles, so it's best not to keep fish in dedicated frog ponds.

[Ludi]

suggests NOT to keep fish, and I agree. Keeping fish in a swimming area is well beyond the scope of 99% of people to handle due to increased pollution.

Seems to be a wide divergence of opinion about fish in natural swimming pools, from "you shouldn't keep fish in a natural swimming pool" to "most natural swimming pools have fish in them."

[Finchj]

Thats why you give the tadpoles some shelter, although you are right. Goldfish eat literally everything. Poor frogs