Myriophyllum scabratum
An attractive aquatic plant that effectively filters water while creating a dense growth beneath the surface. It is used not only in natural swimming pools (BIOpools) but also in aquariums, where it serves both decorative and functional purposes. Thanks to its excellent oxygenating ability, it supports a healthy aquatic environment. By consuming a large amount of nutrients, it competes successfully with filamentous algae and helps keep the water clear. It is planted in gravel at depths ranging from 10 to 80 cm below the surface.
Submerged plants play a vital role in the natural filtration of water in BIOpools. They are strong competitors to filamentous algae, as they absorb large amounts of nutrients directly from the water, thereby limiting algae growth. Growing upward from depths of around 60 cm to 2 meters, they also reduce the amount of light and heat available to algae.
Well-known species include Canadian waterweed, which remains fully submerged, and Crassula recurva, whose flowers can emerge above the surface. In addition to their filtration function, these plants are excellent oxygenators. They produce oxygen and consume phosphates, which are a major nutrient source for algae. As a result, they significantly improve water quality and support a healthy ecosystem in the BIOpool.
This group of plants is essential for every BIOpool. It is recommended to plant at least five to eight different species, as each one serves a specific role. Together, they also help form a natural biofilm that plays a key role in biological filtration.
The right combination of submerged plants is crucial for maintaining a clean, balanced, and fully functional BIOpool—without the need for chemical treatments.
