I was daft enough to think about how to make a reflecting pool reflect after we had one built.
Generally people might consider that first. So for a long time I was in difficulties with my new unreflecting pool. You might think that a black liner might be quite enough to give a reflection, but it’s not – light picks up all the folds in the liner and shows all the random bits of debris which have found their way in.
I tried a variety of things, including errr…umm.. wood stain, which at the time was mostly only available in imitation wood colours (why do people want to stain wood in imitation wood colours?) so even getting black stain was a pain. Then, at last I came across a truly black reflecting pool, managed to contact the garden designer and found the Source of Black Pool Dye!
I have never looked back. Dyofix is the answer. I am totally happy to recommend it to anyone wanting to forget about their pond’s imitation of great grey-
It is true too that Dyofix keeps the pool algae free. That doesn’t mean there are no problems though – we get tree seeds in early summer and autumn leaves in – autumn. And if pigeons bathe in it we get a horrible greasy scum on the surface. But the pool is only six inches deep, so at worst it can be drained and refilled.
Otherwise an algae net and a spray with a waft waft garden sprayer will clean the surface and two, or at the most three, separate doses of one of the little pouches of Dyofix keep the pool magically black all season. I love it when it’s faded a little and I add a refresher dose. Gradually a darker inky black spreads across the pool, reviving and restoring the drama all over again.
Once you’ve got black water the sight of the usual sludgey green of most pools and ponds becomes anathema. What’s more, you’ll find yourself adding black to every bit of water you have – in our case, the bird bath. The birds seem quite happy to drink it and bathe in it and I love the sight of it. Wonderful stuff.
Look!
and birds are not the only ones enjoying black water….
Nice post. And great pics between us!
Thank you! Xx
Hello Anne
I too am a total convert to the black pool dye for my own reflecting pool and those I have designed for clients. I first came across its use in show gardens I worked on with David Austin Roses many years ago. It was just good old writing ink then. I am delighted with the latest products and like you enjoy the transformation when topping up the colour depth. It has been the only thing that has reduced the algae growth in my own pool to a minimum and, as you say, it does not affect the wildlife or our dog! I had no idea that your pool was so shallow when I visited earlier this year.
Yes – it’s a bit like a vertical infinity pool – could go down forever!
Now I know why I so loved the photo of the new bird bath. I use a different black dye than you do, and mine doesn’t control algae so I’ll be looking for Dyofix as a replacement.
There was someone doing a black dye in the USA – for fishing lakes. That may be easier for you to find?
I simply order black pond dye from Amazon. I got the idea for black dye from Veddw, of course. And it does prevent the horrible blanket algae I used to have to haul out several times a year. The hundreds of frogs and salamanders actually appreciate the protection from raptors offered by the opaque blanket.