Not sure how big the pond/pool in question - I've been using a charcoal filter/pump successfully with fish for years - seems like that in combination with scooping out leaves and stuff would work quite nicely with a swimming pond - esp. without fish waste to contend with. I think there's a range of alternatives you can explore between keeping it chlorinated and chemicalized on one hand, and letting it turn into a smelly bacteria infested mess on the other hand - filtration etc. People swim in lakes all the time - having just wrecked my hair with ONE swim in a chlorine pool recently, I say go for it.

Hi Obviously , there are many ways it can be done . Mostly depends on what you want. Would help to know what the pool is made of ,assuming in ground?? What kind of filtration.? What shape?? The average swimming pool would make a fantastic Koi pond but not so good water garden. Even for a Koi pond with no plants would still require some modification of the filter system. I would fear the result would look like a dirty swimming pool with fish in it?? lol Particularly if it's the usual rectangle with exit ladders with cement aprons. My neighbor converted their inground pool to a koi pond but the pool was only 8x12 feet with a 6 foot depth actually it already was a Koi pond lol gary

After hours of searching and making phone calls, I found the answers I needed. koifishponds.com actually has an article on using a pool filter for pond use. I also found 3 others who use the hayward filter with success. http://www.koifishponds.com/state_of_the_art_filters.htm Here is a link that might be useful: kio fish ponds

Not really...but okay...There was a mention of "wildlife" moving in...so I assumed living frogs, tadpoles, possible turtles and such would add to the balance? I just disasembled my "water garden" just 500 gallons with Only potted Cannas, and blue eyed grass (NO FISH), no soil just gravel and lava rock, and filtered... The water was very Clear...no algae except the carpet on the sides....but there was at least 4" of silt in the bottom after just 1 year....I can't imagine what a full size pool would have in it after 5 years or so, as I assume the plan isn't to drain and clean yearly, but that is my assumption.. I have been known to be wrong before...so looking forward to see how it turns out! Personally...I love my ponds way more than the swimming pool...so I'm supportive of the change over...Sorry if I ruffled any feathers...I for one just like to collect all data out there good and bad before I dive into something...Just helps to prepare me for worse case scenarios..I hope it turns out just as you like...I have not met anyone yet that hasn't given into the urge to get bigger fish..when they get a bigger pond :) Just usually the natural course of things, feeding the fish is so much of the enjoyment..and It sounded like you already got a bit of the bug..with the betta pond.....My suggestion is to gather lots of information...then do whatever makes you happy....again...sorry Rabbit if we disagree..I'll bail out and watch from afar...One more mention though...If you do it and go with a "diff. fish" I suggest a few Ciclids...they are beautiful and aggresive eaters....so even with a few they will be fun to watch eat!!!!!! The lagoon at Animal kingdom has them....wow spectacular! Blue, yellows...just gorgeous...sorry there I go again talking about fish...they are my passion...can't help myself! Good luck!