Are They Pools, Ponds, or A GEN Z FAD?

Send us Fan MailImagine Rudy, Allen Schnaak, Andrea The Pool Girl, and Frank Disher from The Deep End Podcast sitting around a table — the kind of table where coffee gets cold because the conversation gets that good. What starts as a friendly discussion about natural pools quickly spirals into a wild, brain-stretching rollercoaster of biology, engineering, and the eternal question: what exactly is growing in that water, and should we be scared of it?Natural Pools vs. Traditional Chemistry:Allen kicks things off like a Zen garden architect explaining why concrete is overrated. He breaks down how natural swimming pools rely on their own carefully engineered ecosystems — less like treating water with a chemistry set and more like teaming up with Mother Nature without letting her go feral. No chlorine tablets, no shock, no weekly “did my test strips lie to me?” panic. Instead, these pools operate as balanced biological systems designed to support themselves.Biofilm: The Good, the Bad, and the SlimyThen the conversation shifts — as it always does — to slime. Rudy can’t not talk about biofilm, and Allen’s ready for it. They dig into how natural pools intentionally cultivate biofilms as part of the filtration system. We're talking gravel beds with insane surface area, where microbial communities set up shop and get to work trapping nutrients and particulates. Think of it as a microscopic city of tiny workers… that you hope are the friendly kind.But What About the Big Bad Wolf: Cryptosporidium?Of course Rudy drops the hard-hitting question every health inspector has tattooed on their soul: “What about crypto?”Allen stays calm. He explains that a single crypto oocyst isn’t going to ruin your day — the problem is when you have a rave-level population of them.  AquaStar Pool ProductsThe Global Leader in Safety, Dependability, & Innovation in Pool Technology.POOL MAGAZINE Pool Magazine is leading up to the minute news source for Swimming Pool News and Pool Features. OuBLUERAY XLThe real mineral purifier! Reduce your pool maintenance costs & efforts by 50%Online Pool ClassesThe difference between you and your competition is what you know!Jack's MagicIf you know Jack's you'd have no stains!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]