Self-cleansing nature pool in Sweden

How do you want your swimming pool?

Chemical — regular swimming pool. Careful chemical dosing all year round. Polluted with chemicals. High manual maintenance. High running costs. Sterile appearance.

Natural — AQUASCAPE ECOSYSTEM™ POOL. Self-balancing natural processes. Naturally clean water. Low manual maintenance. Low running costs. Natural appearance.

Pure relaxation…

A nature pool for those who dislike swimming pools

Nature pools with the patented AQUASCAPE ECOSYSTEM work with nature instead.

Technically refined natural processes maintain swim-quality water all year round.

Combined with BÄCKAHÄSTEN's natural design language, the result feels like an untouched, flowing spring.

Enjoy 365 days — Adapted to our Nordic climate for year-round use, no shutdown.

Let go of control — The ecosystem maintains balance so you never need to measure or dose chemicals.

Swim with fish — Fish aren't just beautiful, they also contribute to a balanced ecosystem.

The world's most used system for natural water features. On 6 continents. For over 35 years.

Award-winning nature pools from Australia to Sweden

Case: Crafers Aquatic Habitat

MASTER LANDSCAPER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2020. Deb & Jim Fazzalari dreamed of a sanctuary from the noise of everyday life. A beautiful and low-maintenance nature pool was at the top of their list.

The couple turned to Corrie and Malcolm (BÄCKAHÄSTEN's project leader) at SA Waterscapes. And 10 weeks later, their sanctuary was complete: Crafers Aquatic Habitat.

An ecosystem with over 300 plant species, murmuring waterfalls and crystal-clear water. The frogs, dragonflies and birds came back.

"It became our sanctuary from the madness of everyday life. It blocks out all the traffic. Now we just sit and listen to nature and it's beautiful." — Deb Fazzalari, Crafers

Thousands of visitors

In the very first year, thousands of visitors flocked to witness Crafers Aquatic Habitat in the Adelaide Hills, Australia.

Best project of the year

The project was named the year's best by Master Landscapers of South Australia and won the Master Landscaper Award of Excellence.

Increased property value

A couple of years later, before-and-after valuations showed an increase in property value equal to double the investment.

"A unique project that was as impressive behind the scenes as it was visually. This project involves the skills of a professional with a passion, displayed in the exceptional rock placements. The ambience and tranquility are amazing."

— Master Landscaper South Australia (MLSA).

But then love brought Malcolm to Sweden… and there he met Max.

BÄCKAHÄSTEN — Sweden's Aquascape™ Team

The newly founded BÄCKAHÄSTEN is the merging of two unique and complementary backgrounds.

Malcolm Grieve, award-winning Aquascaper. Sweden's most experienced Aquascaper with an award-winning portfolio from Australia.

Max Johnsson, experienced water contractor. 6 years of experience strengthening stormwater systems in the world's first climate-neutral area.

Bäckahästen is the rest of that adventure. Together we give you a unique work of art: a natural pool that both looks and works like nature.

How the nature pool works

Aquascape Ecosystem™ is the world's most chosen system for water features like nature pools, for a reason.

The secret is that AQUASCAPE ECOSYSTEM complements the nitrogen cycle by locking excess nutrients into plants.

Through 6 mechanisms, the water is kept so nutrient-poor that algae can never gain the upper hand:

• Intake Bay — A powerful pump keeps the water surface clear. Leaves, grass and pollen collect in the bay while suspended particles are captured in the gravel filter.
• IonGen — On the way to the filtration zone, the water is treated with copper ions. These attach to algae cell membranes and prevent cell division.
• Wetland Filter — Water is pushed up through a gravel bed with plants. Flow is slowed by roughly 90% to let the roots absorb the nutrients that algae feed on.
• Streams, waterfalls & jets — On the way back the water is oxygenated. The oxygen supports essential bacteria while the movement prevents dead zones where algae can take hold.
• Strategic planting — Aquatic plants in the streams continue to bind nutrients. They also provide shade, which helps keep the water cool.
• Autodoser — Automatic dosing of a special blend of beneficial bacteria that complements the living cycle.

The entire water volume passes through all 6 steps roughly once an hour, around the clock.

The result: Even easier to maintain over time

The nature pool becomes more self-sufficient over time, instead of the other way around. Within 3 years, the ecosystem finds its balance. Everything is handled automatically.

First year: Before the ecosystem establishes itself, some algae bloom may occur, especially around streams and waterfalls. This is completely normal and doesn't stop anyone from swimming.

Second year: The young ecosystem has established itself, and the system can take care of itself. Occasional algae are part of a natural ecosystem.

Your role in the ecosystem

Unlike a chlorine pool, the maintenance feels familiar and natural. The same principle that applies in the garden applies here: a little ongoing effort makes everything easier.

• Skim surface debris after your swim
• Pick wilted leaves as you walk by
• Thin out plants when you feel like it
• Backwash filter (early spring)
• Clear out plants (late autumn)

Always Winterised

We adapt your nature pool to Nordic conditions by frost-proofing and insulating pipes and the pump house. The water keeps flowing in winter at lower energy consumption.

7 reasons for the world's most chosen nature pool

• The beauty — Looks like a natural spring
• The sound — The murmur keeps the outside world out
• The peace of mind — Nature takes care of the balance
• The joy — Usable all year round
• The health — Gentle on eyes, skin and airways
• The running cost — Just a fraction of a swimming pool
• The nature — A new sanctuary for wild amphibians, insects and birds

Aquascape Nature Pool Pricing

The Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool is the closest to a beach you'll get without moving. We build nature pools both larger and smaller than the examples.

Cove (S)

6 × 3.5 m (21 m²). 1.8 m max depth. Stream & waterfall approx. 1.5 m. Incl. Wetland Filter approx. 5 m². Stone: 32.5 t · Gravel: 11.1 t. Approx. €85,000 incl. VAT.

Bay (M)

7 × 4 m (28 m²). 1.8 m max depth. Stream & waterfall approx. 1.75 m. Incl. Wetland Filter approx. 7 m². Stone: 33.5 t · Gravel: 15.2 t. Approx. €106,000 incl. VAT.

Lagoon (L)

8 × 4.5 m (36 m²). 1.8 m max depth. Stream & waterfall approx. 2 m. Incl. Wetland Filter approx. 9 m². Stone: 36.5 t · Gravel: 21.2 t. Approx. €119,000 incl. VAT.

The investment is roughly 30% higher than a comparable swimming pool. But it is spread across far more days of use.

4X more days of joy

Regular swimming pool: 275 days shut down, 90 days of use. Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool: 0 days shut down, a 365-day season.

65% fewer days of upkeep

Regular swimming pool: 90 days – approx. 6 days of total upkeep = 84 days left. Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool: 365 days – approx. 2 days of total upkeep = 363 days left.

65% lower cost per day

Regular swimming pool: 700,000 SEK / 84 days = approx. 8,333 SEK per day in the first year. Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool: 1,000,000 SEK / 363 days = approx. 2,754 SEK per day in the first year.

See all nature pool packages and pricing

From dream to nature pool in 5–10 weeks*

As Sweden's Aquascape Team, we take on projects across Europe. All you need is a plot, a dream and a budget.

Application

Answer a few questions about your dream and your conditions. If it's a good match, we book a free video consultation.

Video consultation

We talk about your dream and go through photos of your property. You then receive an individual price estimate.

Site consultation

We assess your conditions on site and gather everything needed to plan the construction. You then receive a quote.

Construction

We schedule your project and coordinate everything from ordering, excavation, aquascaping, landscaping and electricians.

Handover

Once everything is complete, we walk you through everything you need to know and give you our special direct number.

Follow-up

After a couple of months, we come back and make sure everything is working as it should. Any necessary adjustments are covered by our quality guarantee.

*Subject to availability and depending on size.

Ready to turn your garden into a waterfront retreat?

You could be among the first in Sweden to experience a nature pool purified by Aquascape Ecosystem™.

Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool

6 reasons to choose BÄCKAHÄSTEN:

• Sweden's most experienced contractor of the world's most proven system
• Self-cleansing without chemicals, salt or additives
• Year-round enjoyment — no shutdowns, no algae blooms
• Industry-leading warranties on all components
• Award-winning design from Australia
• Swim with fish

Start your application

The nature pool is built to last

We build every nature pool with great care and attention to detail. So the system lasts and becomes more beautiful and easier to maintain over time. Components are backed by Aquascape's industry-leading warranties. Workmanship is covered by our own quality guarantee.

Equipment

Pumps and technology from the world's largest ecosystem manufacturer.

Watertightness

Premium fish-safe rubber liner with a documented lifespan of 30–50 years.

Lifelong protection

Protects your EPDM liner from puncture and wear, top and bottom.

Necessary adjustments

Our craftsmanship and installation are backed by our own workmanship warranty.

Questions & Answers

How does a nature pool work without chlorine?

The Aquascape Ecosystem™ Pool combines six mechanisms: mechanical filtration, ionisation, biological purification via the wetland filter, oxygenation, strategic planting, and automatic bacterial dosing. Together they maintain a constant state of nutrient deficiency — algae are starved out without chemicals.

Can you swim in a nature pool during winter?

Yes. The optimised circulation combined with the aeration system prevents the pool from freezing over. With an optional heat pump you can swim comfortably year-round; without one, the pool functions as a natural cold-plunge basin.

How much maintenance does a nature pool require?

About 1–2 hours per month for a ~20 m² nature pool once the ecosystem has established (year 2–3). You empty what has blown down to the collection area, remove wilted leaves and prune plants at seasonal change. The filter is backwashed once a year.

How much electricity does a nature pool use?

Roughly 1,500–3,500 kWh per year depending on size and seasonal operation. A comparable chlorine pool typically uses 2–3× more due to heat pump and sand-filter backwashing.

Do I need a building permit for a nature pool?

Typically, no building permit is required for nature pools whose highest point is below 50 cm above ground level.

Why does the nature pool become easier to maintain over time?

The purification is handled by biological processes that strengthen over time. The more plants, microorganisms, and beneficial bacteria establish themselves, the less you need to do. During the first season, some algae bloom may occur. But from year two, the biological cycle starts taking over the maintenance. Then it just gets more beautiful and easier to care for each season, instead of the other way around like with other systems.

Is the nature pool safe for children?

Yes, but as with any swimming pool, bathing should be supervised. There are always shallow exit paths out of the nature pool. The difference is there are no irritating chemicals that can bother children's eyes or airways.

How large does the plot need to be?

A nature pool with Aquascape Ecosystem™ requires space for both the basin and the Wetland Filter. As a guideline, at least 40–50 m² of total area is needed, but unlike conventional pools, the shape can be adapted freely to suit your garden. We assess your plot during the initial consultation and show what's possible.

Which companies build nature pools in Sweden?

BÄCKAHÄSTEN, with roots in Australia, is Sweden's most experienced AQUASCAPE Team. Project lead Malcolm Grieve helped build the award-winning Crafers Aquatic Habitat (MLSA Award 2020) and the world's largest nature pool Lake Gkula in Woodford, Australia.

Have any other questions? Contact us.