Imagine, if you will, that the water pumping through your client’s natural pool or pond is so crystal clear you can see the sand-bottom shimmer.
I can see you rolling your eyes.
I don’t know about you, but as a professional pond designer and builder, algae is the bane of my existence. Like you, I put everything I have into designing a client’s water feature–perfecting the rendering, planning out mechanicals, getting approvals and filing for permits, sourcing supplies, managing truck deliveries, coordinating the team, working through all kinds of challenges and–finally–completing the installation.
I will not be undone by frustrating, ugly, disruptive and unhealthy algae.
So, after 15 years of working through clients’ water quality issues, worrying over the health of their aquatic life, and pulling algae clogs from filters and equipment, I’d had enough. I knew there had to be a better way of controlling the algae and I set out to find it.
Microbubbles and Nanobubbles Technology Moves from Theory to Testing
I have always had an interest in the science of biofiltration, but eventually it intersected with another curiosity: bubbles, specifically, microbubble and nanobubble technology. I became eager to examine these tiny, gas-filled spheres that move through water.
My guiding question: what if tiny bubbles were to dance really fast with ultra-biofiltration – would it further remove suspended solids, unhealthy microorganisms and other unwanted organic compounds? Do these tiny bubbles contain properties that have the potential to change how we think about filtration, oxygenation and even pathogen reduction? I think that they do.
Initially, I approached several companies to vet my theory. Unfortunately, the response was less than enthusiastic. So I did what many pond professionals do, I started testing things myself. I have long considered my backyard pool a natural laboratory for assessing my ideas and theories and that is where I installed and tested what would become Oxy-Gen by Reflections™.
After many trials, what I found was stunning. Not only was the water visibly cleaner, but after swimming, my family and I felt rejuvenated in a way we hadn’t experienced before.
I’d discovered that tiny bubbles are in fact, big miracles.
Microbubbles and Nanobubbles: What’s the Difference?
Microbubbles, which range from 1 to 100 microns in diameter, help alleviate oxygen deficiencies by boosting the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. These bubbles stay suspended longer than larger ones, which means they can aerate an entire water column, even down at the bottom where oxygen levels are typically lowest.
More impressively, they can change the microbial landscape. Increasing oxygen shifts the balance toward beneficial aerobic bacteria and away from anaerobic microorganisms that thrive in low-oxygen conditions—some of which are responsible for foul odors, sludge accumulation and harmful algal blooms.
Nanobubbles are much smaller, typically between 10 and 1,000 nm in diameter and have even more superpowers than microbubbles. Because they boost aerobic processes, nanobubbles remove impurities and contaminations like biofilms, as well as pathogens and other unwanted substances. Their effect is subtle but powerful, contributing to a healthier aquatic environment for fish, plants and us humans, too.
Observations in the Field
In the last few years, I’ve integrated microbubble technology into several natural swimming pools in Illinois. One of these projects, a 1,600-square-foot pool with a sand bottom and wetland filtration, was designed with two separately built “containers” to hold the lotus and water lily beds, keeping them clean and preventing them from spreading into the pool. A slab stone patio edges the wetland filter at the top of the project. The pond liner forms the header of a 3-foot waterfall, which spills over Wisconsin Lannon Stone and Missouri-weathered limestone boulders and into the 5-foot-deep natural swimming pool. The entire system was engineered for long-term clarity and ecological balance.
In another installation, the goal was more therapeutic. A client recovering from health issues requested a natural pool with spa-like benefits. The pool was heated and fully surrounded by native plantings including existing trees and shrubs. The 6-foot-deep heated pool is super-saturated with oxygen and features two waterfalls that seamlessly appear as one.
Water is fed by two half-horse, 260-gallon-per-minute pumps and a three-horse, 100-gallon-per-minute pump and a 30,000-gallon bead filter works in conjunction with the microbubble technology and the pool’s natural rocks and pebbles. When the water is still, tiny bubbles visually rise to the surface.
So what are the results? After two years, the clients remain extremely happy, loving the results! The water still remains clear to the bottom—even at depths of 5-6 feet. Sunlight catches flecks of mica in the sand, giving the surface a shimmer that’s visible from the patio above. And perhaps most importantly, the pool is chemically free and safe for both swimmers and aquatic life.
Addressing Harmful Algal Blooms with Microbubble and Nanobubble Technology
Beyond backyard applications, I’m now exploring how increased oxygenation and biofiltration might reduce Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), particularly those involving cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, are a natural part of aquatic ecosystems, but when conditions are right (warmth, stagnant water and excess nutrients), they can multiply rapidly. Certain species release cyanotoxins, which can be harmful to people, pets, wildlife and even turfgrass when used in irrigation systems.
One public venue in the Chicago metro area is currently studying how increased oxygenation and improved water flow might reduce the presence of cyanotoxins in its decorative water features and irrigation system. Early results are promising. Increased circulation alone can inhibit cyanobacteria growth by preventing it from settling and forming colonies, while filtration helps remove organic debris and nutrient loads.
This kind of testing may hold great potential for municipalities, golf courses, parks and commercial spaces that struggle with HABs but are hesitant to use chemical treatments.
Health Benefits of Microbubble and Nanobubble Technology
Whether you’re building natural swimming pools, koi ponds or decorative water features, maintaining crystal-clear, healthy water continues to be a common challenge. Mechanical filtration, plant-based wetlands and water changes all help, but understanding the role of oxygenation at the micro and nano level adds a new layer to our toolkit.
Additionally, incorporating microbubble ultra-biofiltration technology to natural swimming pools and ponds offers a number of health benefits. These tiny bubbles can help reduce stress, provide anxiety relief, and help alleviate pain. Oxygenated water also has cleansing, antibacterial and anti-drying properties that may reduce inflammation. Beneficial microbubbles penetrate skin pores, hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which supports hydration. It helps to maintain skin vitality, reducing irritation while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, scientists say swimming in oxygenated water can trigger the release of hormones that help you feel more alert and focused.
Final Thoughts
We know how much care and craftsmanship goes into every pond and water feature we build. And we also know how frustrating it is when water clarity and quality don’t meet expectations—ours or our clients’.
Technologies that enhance dissolved oxygen levels and support aerobic biological processes may offer solutions to some of the industry’s most persistent problems. As professionals, it’s our responsibility to explore and test these ideas—to stay curious, to experiment, and to seek nature-based answers wherever possible.
If clear, algae-free, chemical-free water is the goal, then microbubble and nanobubble technology might just be one of the smartest tools we have.
About the Author:
Larry Carnes is the president of Reflections Water Gardens in West Dundee, Illinois. His firm specializes in high-end residential and commercial water gardens.
