Living Pool – the natural pool without chlorine
The Living Pool: the look of a pool with biological water treatment, crystal clear and entirely without chlorine.
Swim naturally, with a clear look
The Living Pool – also called a natural pool or bio pool – looks like a classic pool but is kept clean purely biologically – entirely without chlorine. As an experienced Biotop partner, Fuchs baut Gärten from Lenggries designs and builds your Living Pool throughout Upper Bavaria – including technology and planting.
The two-chamber principle
Two pump circuits ensure clear water: circuit 1 cleans the surface during the day and skims off particles; circuit 2 breaks down organic matter and removes phosphorus from the water – it runs day and night throughout the season. In winter the water stays in the pool and the technology stays in place.
The pool in the video belongs to the Hotel Bergeblick in Bad Tölz – we show the whole installation on the project page.
Five components, crystal-clear water
In a Living Pool, proven Biotop technology takes care of the cleaning – completely without chemicals.
Submersible pump shaft
Flooded, cooled shaft – pressureless inflow, silent operation.
Arc-screen skimmer
Fine mesh size (approx. 0.3 mm) with automatic screen cleaning.
Pool robot
Cleans the pool floor fully automatically.
Compact bio filter
Vertical, hidden beneath the jetty – bacteria break down organic matter without external energy.
PhosTec Upstream phosphate filter
Binds phosphorus and starves algae – with a long service life.
Living Pool, swimming pond or classic pool?
The Living Pool is one of three routes to your own bathing water. A direct comparison shows which one suits you – explained in detail in our garden guide: swimming pond, natural pool or pool.
| Your question | Swimming pond | Natural pool / Living Pool | Salt water pool | Chlorinated pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How is the water kept clean? | Plants & microorganisms | biological filter, no chemicals | Salt electrolysis (chlorine from salt) | Chlorine technology |
| What does it look like? | natural look, living biotope | clear pool look, crystal clear | classic pool | classic pool |
| How warm does it get? | follows nature | up to ~28 °C (heatable) | freely selectable | freely selectable, even above 28 °C |
| Chemicals in the water? | none | none | low (salt electrolysis) | yes |
| How much maintenance? | seasonal, natural | manageable, service twice a year | low, automatic salt system | regular water testing |
| How much space? | larger (regeneration zone) | more compact | compact | compact |
| What are the running costs? | low | low (no chemicals, energy-efficient pump) | medium (electricity & salt) | medium to higher (chemicals, heating) |
| Right for you if … | nature lovers | pool look without chlorine | soft water, fewer chemicals | warm & sporty swimming |
Living Pool – indoors too
Biotop technology can also be used for indoor pools: we take care of the hydraulics, filtration, water treatment and the pool surroundings, working with specialist pool builders (structural engineering, waterproofing and ventilation/dehumidification are handled by our specialist partners). One project – the plunge pool in the sauna area of the Hotel Bergeblick in Bad Tölz – can be experienced on site.
We also build on a large scale for hotels: at the Naturhotel Tannerhof in Bayrischzell, we supplied the Living Pool technology for a 25 × 5 m stainless steel pool that is heated in summer and used for ice bathing in winter – the pool itself is from Berndorf Bäderbau. More on both hotels and beyond on our hotel grounds page.
What does a Living Pool cost? The factors involved
Living Pool, natural pool and biopool all mean the same principle: a pool with a clear, classic pool look, kept clean biologically rather than with chlorine. There is no flat price – where your pool ends up price-wise depends on five factors that are in your hands:
| Size and depth | Determine the excavation, the pool surface and the scale of the filtration technology – the biggest lever. |
|---|---|
| Construction | Liner pool or prefabricated pool; the prefabricated pool is installed faster, the liner offers more freedom in shape. |
| Technology | Compact bio filter, phosphate filter and pumps according to pool size – biology replaces the chlorine, not the technology. |
| Features | Jetty, steps, lighting, cover – from a compact natural pool to a generous installation. |
| Terrain and access | A sloping plot, site access and ground conditions determine the effort for earthworks and logistics. |
As a guideline: a fully built Living Pool with us usually costs between €130,000 and €210,000 gross – based on 22 completed installations. All price ranges and components: What does a Living Pool cost?
After a consultation on site, we will prepare a reliable, honest quote for you – with no nasty surprises. Send us a no-obligation enquiry.
Advantages – and the honest drawbacks
In its favour: crystal-clear water without chlorine, gentle on the skin for children and allergy sufferers, low running costs, no annual draining and a beautiful sight all year round.
What you should know: The initial investment is higher than for a simple chlorinated pool, the water temperature stays natural, up to around 28 °C, and the biology needs a short start-up phase in spring. In return, you get water to swim in that feels more natural year after year.
Living Pool near you
Fuchs baut Gärten designs and builds Living Pools throughout Upper Bavaria from Lenggries – including in Bad Tölz, on the Tegernsee, in Wolfratshausen, Starnberg and south of Munich (all locations). Still undecided between the options? Our guide swimming pond, natural pool or pool compares the three routes to your own bathing water – for something even closer to nature, there is the swimming pond.
A Living Pool in a small 430 m² town garden near Munich: Oasis at the Living Pool. More examples of our work: “Seeblicke” – formal garden with pool on the Tegernsee and the show garden in Gilching with swimming pond and garden kitchen.
Our company pool – you're welcome to jump in
It's hard to judge a Living Pool from photos. That's why we have one at our office in Lenggries that you can look at in peace.
The pool at our premises is designed, built and maintained by us – framed in granite, with boulders along the edge and wooden spout jets that let the water flow in. It is not a showpiece but a working pool: it lets us see for ourselves how an installation develops over the years.
For you, it is above all a decision aid. On site, various liners are laid out for comparison – the colour of the liner determines whether the water looks turquoise, green or almost black – and you can see covers installed rather than in a catalogue. If you like, you can go for a swim: that is also possible by arrangement, and it is the most honest test there is. Our mobile BINDER turbine swimming system is also integrated into the company pool – including a trial swim against the current.
Visits are by appointment only, as work is going on all around. Request an appointment at the company pool
The Living Pool catalogue is available from us as a PDF. Pool types, filtration technology and converting a chlorinated pool in 19 pages – no registration needed to download.
“Simply brilliant – and for years now!”
“An absolute dream come true, and we can recommend Fuchs baut Gärten without reservation!”
“The lads got stuck in. Thought ahead. Developed ideas. Simply first class.”
More impressions: Living Pool
Answers about Living Pools
Is the water in a Living Pool hygienic?
How much space does a Living Pool need?
How much work does a Living Pool involve?
Is a saltwater pool also biological?
What is a Living Pool?
How much does a Living Pool cost?
What are the disadvantages of a Living Pool?
How does the technology of a Living Pool work?
Living Pool, natural pool, bio pool – what is the difference?
What is your experience with the Living Pool?
Can a Living Pool be heated?
Let's talk about your project
We are happy to advise you in person, with no obligation.
Request a consultation