An odd idea?

[Jon_Lyle]

My brother and I have been joking about this to our dad for some time now. He has a large, above ground swimming pool. His pump/chlorine distributer just broke, and the pool is turning green.

Is there any reason we can't throw a bunch of algae-eating sucker fish and do away with the chlorine altogether?

We've always been big fans of sucker fish, and would like to see some large ones in the swimming pool.

Are there any reasons that sucker fish and people can't share a pool? (chemicals given off by fish or people, fish attacking people, gangs of squirrels that might dive-bomb the fish)

[cocoa_pleco]

Is there any chlorine or anything still present in the water? If its straight tapwater only, and youve treated it with water conditioner, its possible. If theres chemicals, its a no go

[toddnbecka]

The only problem is that the algae already established in the pool will grow faster than any number of fish you could add to the pool would be able to eat it. You'd also want something to eat mosquito larva along with the algae if you do away with chemicals.

[Incredulous_Ed]

No, sorry, not a good idea. A swimming pool isnt very safe to swim in without chlorine. There is a good chance someone would get sick from it. PLus you would have to change some of the water every few weeks, which would be a huge pain. And on top of that think of all the crap that ends up in a swimming pool: grass, leaves, fertilizers, bugs, dead animals, and so on. Its not an ideal plae for a fish. Also, you would have to heat th epool, which will be very expensive.

[cocoa_pleco]

forgot to add you would have to rig a filter for fish, one member here converted a hot tub to a koi pond by rigging the filter for fish

[Jon_Lyle]

Well, its an above ground pool, so no debris or animals.
This is south Louisiana, so we have to add water every week anyways from evaporation, and we have heat.
What would have to be changed from stock pool pump? other than putting a finer screen over intake?
There's fish that eat mosquito larve too, out wildlife/fisheries people use them, especially after Katrina.

New fun idea... would a saltwater pool work with saltwater fish, or are they not friendly. (biting)

How big would sucker-fish get?
Could we charge admission to swim with the fishes?

[MeganL3985]

I'm not entirely sure if this conversation is joke or not, but I think its a very bad idea. Also.....how does Louisiana or any place for that matter, not have debris around to get into the pool?

[OscarFan]

Well, its an above ground pool, so no debris or animals.
This is south Louisiana, so we have to add water every week anyways from evaporation, and we have heat.
What would have to be changed from stock pool pump? other than putting a finer screen over intake?
There's fish that eat mosquito larve too, out wildlife/fisheries people use them, especially after Katrina.

New fun idea... would a saltwater pool work with saltwater fish, or are they not friendly. (biting)

How big would sucker-fish get?
Could we charge admission to swim with the fishes?


first off if you have $100000 laying around you could turn it into SW thing. Next you would need a huge filter, and would have to vaccume it weekly.

[ladyoutlaw50]

I think i must agree with Megan -- plus I don't really think it would be a good idea to be swimming with these fish -- I would worry about disease either to people or to the fish because of the people!! Just my thoughts

[cocoa_pleco]

a saltwater pool IS possible, you would need to purchase plenty of rock though, live in a tropic area where the tank will be at a steady 82f, and be able to spend $700 on salt mix alone a month, since you have to do 10% weekly water changes. Unless you have a $1,000,000 budget, i would say no to saltwater

[Incredulous_Ed]

Ohh, its an above ground pool. I thought you were talking about a an inground pool. It might work, Im not sure what type of filter you have, and if you are prepared to pay for heating when it gets colder. Also, just topping off water for evaporation wont do anything, you would actually have to take water out and put fresh, treated water in.

[Jon_Lyle]

Its on a few acres of land, and the pool is in the middle of the back yard. We have extension chords to reach the pump, and, there might be some debris, a few stray leaves maybe. But as for skimming those leaves off, or vacuuming, we'd be doing that anyways.

It's not the biggest pool made, so we could always get a bigger pump. As for changing the water, there's a drain plug, and a garden hose to refill it.

I'm sure someone will say that the water needs to be treated first, but my brother doesn't pre-treat the water in his 10 gallon tank, he adds the chemicals after he adds the water. Besides, the larger volume wouldn't be as finicky about chemical levels anyways.

As to heating the pool, such systems are quite common these days, though I would prefer the old method for a hot-tub that both heats and circulates the water. Or something similar to a heated floor system in a bathroom, with the houses hot water routed through the pool. Plus this is south Louisiana, my little bro had a pool party for his birthday on Dec 5 last year.

Does anyone know of any "specific" diseases from algae-eating-sucker-fish to people or vice versa? I mean, I've swam in a lake without getting sick. And even public pools have a "shower first" policy. This is outside, we could rig an outdoor shower with PVC and soap on a rope.

Also, in response to whether or not this is serious:

I started by saying that my brother and I had been joking about it. Our parents probably wouldn't be for it, even if all the neighbors had one. But we are curious as to whether or not it could be done, and if it could be more practical and symbiotic than chlorine, which does make people sick, and discolor hair.

And I'll add that even if I got a resounding NO from everyone here, with facts to back it, I can't promise I won't try it anyways in the future - my own house and pool. I've already mapped out a rather elaborate back patio to include it. (This house also includes a constantly lit fire for indoor/outdoor fireplaces, i/o brick ovens, a smokehouse ((to fund this endeavor)), and i/o hot tubs and saunas.)

If its ever built, you're all invited. No BYOB, I'll have an in-house brewery.

P.S. Donations to the "Build Jon_Lyle's Dream Estate" fund are welcome.

P.P.S. All proceeds will likely be spent on beer.

[wezel815]

Its on a few acres of land, and the pool is in the middle of the back yard. We have extension chords to reach the pump, and, there might be some debris, a few stray leaves maybe. But as for skimming those leaves off, or vacuuming, we'd be doing that anyways.

It's not the biggest pool made, so we could always get a bigger pump. As for changing the water, there's a drain plug, and a garden hose to refill it.

I'm sure someone will say that the water needs to be treated first, but my brother doesn't pre-treat the water in his 10 gallon tank, he adds the chemicals after he adds the water. Besides, the larger volume wouldn't be as finicky about chemical levels anyways.

As to heating the pool, such systems are quite common these days, though I would prefer the old method for a hot-tub that both heats and circulates the water. Or something similar to a heated floor system in a bathroom, with the houses hot water routed through the pool. Plus this is south Louisiana, my little bro had a pool party for his birthday on Dec 5 last year.

Does anyone know of any "specific" diseases from algae-eating-sucker-fish to people or vice versa? I mean, I've swam in a lake without getting sick. And even public pools have a "shower first" policy. This is outside, we could rig an outdoor shower with PVC and soap on a rope.

Also, in response to whether or not this is serious:

I started by saying that my brother and I had been joking about it. Our parents probably wouldn't be for it, even if all the neighbors had one. But we are curious as to whether or not it could be done, and if it could be more practical and symbiotic than chlorine, which does make people sick, and discolor hair.

And I'll add that even if I got a resounding NO from everyone here, with facts to back it, I can't promise I won't try it anyways in the future - my own house and pool. I've already mapped out a rather elaborate back patio to include it. (This house also includes a constantly lit fire for indoor/outdoor fireplaces, i/o brick ovens, a smokehouse ((to fund this endeavor)), and i/o hot tubs and saunas.)

If its ever built, you're all invited. No BYOB, I'll have an in-house brewery.

P.S. Donations to the "Build Jon_Lyle's Dream Estate" fund are welcome.

P.P.S. All proceeds will likely be spent on beer.

i hear you on the beer part. amd im with you on the its my back yard its my pool feelings. ive tried many things ppl told me couldnt be done. how do you think things are invented.like many ppl say here fish can adapt to anything as long as its done gradually enuff. if you wanna swim w the fishes im behind you 100 redneck percent.
dont let ur dreams die you may be on to something

[MeganL3985]

And I'll add that even if I got a resounding NO from everyone here, with facts to back it, I can't promise I won't try it anyways in the future - my own house and pool.


Then why exactly are you asking about it, if you plan to do it anyway?

[Incredulous_Ed]

You will hav to buy water conditioner in bulk, and you also have to make sur the water you are adding to the pool is the same temp as the pool water. I cant reallt reccomend something like this, but i guess there's no stopping you. I really wouldnt want to be swimming with fishes in a pool. There can be health risks, for example, if one comes down with fish TB, you would probably get very very sick if you went in there.

[MeganL3985]

You will hav to buy water conditioner in bulk, and you also have to make sur the water you are adding to the pool is the same temp as the pool water. I cant reallt reccomend something like this, but i guess there's no stopping you. I really wouldnt want to be swimming with fishes in a pool. There can be health risks, for example, if one comes down with fish TB, you would probably get very very sick if you went in there.

Very good points as well as the fact that humans carry germs, illnesses and also soaps and chemicals of sorts on our own, which can transfer into the water.

[Jon_Lyle]

That is the root of my question. Assuming that the logistics of maintaining the pool as an aquarium can be done, does anyone know of any major diseases that could carry over either way, in spite of keeping the pool maintained, and taking precautions to sanitize people before entering?

I'm assuming that actual aquarium parks/attractions that have divers enter the tank have solved the sanitation problem, but does anyone here know if the process is more than a simple, wash with soap first, regimen?

Also, would the aquarian ecosystem of A-E-S-F and mosquito larve eating fish be able to keep the pool generally free of algae and allow us not to use a chlorine treatment?

[OscarFan]

I dont see how this woulf be any diferent than swimming in a lake or pond except this would be filtered and vacumed weekly. Common plecos get 16" and those would keep it clean. The only problem is fish TB which is extremely rare and the stress on the fish of a bunch of people swimming and splashing around...

[cocoa_pleco]

TB is a danger, but as long as you go in the pool with no cuts and dont touch the fish, the risk is slim

[troy]

If he has well water he won't need water conditioner.

[aaronmonto]

Heres an idea:

First, build a new darn pool for PEOPLE to swim in! Swimming pools are different than lakes because well, let's face it, you don't want your swimming pool full of dirt, plants, and... poop! It won't ever be able to develop that same eco-system if you want to swim in it like you would normally. One thing you could do on a budget with the pool is drain it, scrub it down plain, hose it off, fill it again, drain it, then refill it, and, depending on its size, you can just condition the water, cover the bottom with rocks, put in some potted plants, add ammonia and salt, then wait for about a month, and stock it with 20 small koi!

Actually, that's what I'd do... :c9:

[sktadood13]

Heres an idea:

First, build a new darn pool for PEOPLE to swim in! Swimming pools are different than lakes because well, let's face it, you don't want your swimming pool full of dirt, plants, and... poop! It won't ever be able to develop that same eco-system if you want to swim in it like you would normally. One thing you could do on a budget with the pool is drain it, scrub it down plain, hose it off, fill it again, drain it, then refill it, and, depending on its size, you can just condition the water, cover the bottom with rocks, put in some potted plants, add ammonia and salt, then wait for about a month, and stock it with 20 small koi!

Actually, that's what I'd do... :c9:

thats a good point but he isnt tring to turn the pool in to a aquarium....he just want to put some fish in there that would keep t clean with thde use of chems. i dont see why it wouldnt work.......just make sure no one pees in the water....the ammo would kill them