Kansas City-based company Total Habitat has revolutionized natural swimming ponds and other stunning water features by building rotary kiln-produced expanded lightweight aggregates into their designs. These aquatic ecosystems maintain crystal-clear water while supporting biodiversity with a proven technique that has been perfected over the last twenty-plus years.
Total Habitat’s system incorporates 1 ½” x 5/8”-sized Haydite as biological filter media. Water is constantly circulated through the filter system then to the surface where it picks up oxygen. An underwater retaining wall separates the pool from the built-in filter area, where perforated drainage tubing is buried in the expanded shale. Water is drawn through the material towards the tubes, which allows for the shale’s surface area to become a hosting spot for beneficial bacteria. This bacteria thrives on the biofilm of the aggregate, creating what Total Habitat founder Mick Hilleary referred to as “microscopic rainforests.” This biofilm breaks down organic matter and removes impurities while the aggregate’s porous structures create extra surface area, providing an ideal habitat for these essential microorganisms. The Haydite is inert, stable, and naturally absorbs phosphorus, contributing to long-lasting healthy water conditions.
Total Habitat’s water features are a fixture at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden, located at the Topeka Zoo. This Japanese garden pays tribute to and was created with the help of Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland. In collaboration with Tessere (formerly GLMV) and Japanese Garden Master Koji Morimoto, Total Habitat designed and constructed all the water features within the Garden. This includes four waterfalls and multiple pools and streams that flow into the heart of the garden, an 8,400-square foot Koi Pond, which relies on Total Habitat’s built-in filtration system. The garden won’t be fully mature until it’s about 70 years old, and the use of filter media will allow visitors to reflect on the beauty of nature and serenity of the space for generations to come.
Photos Courtesy of Total Habitat, totalhabitat.com.
