Otter Pool

[Waterworks]

Good evening everyone
Our local zoo is looking to update their otter pool. Right now, they recirculate the water with one suction pipe and one return. It's all 2" pipe and they use a 1.5 HP super pump and a pair of 24" sand filters. There is no sanitizer in the pool. They keep it clear by wasting a LOT of water and refilling with fresh water. The water bill has gotten high enough that they want to redo the pool properly. After some research, our initial plan is to install a commercial ozonator, a chlorine feed system with ORP control and a pump capable of 1.5 hour turnovers. We also want to install a surface skimmer, floor returns and floor drains. If anyone has any experience with otter or other animal pools, let me know. Thanks

Brad

[RavenNS]

I don't have any experience with animal pools
however, I have read a cdc report that stated lots of problems can occur with chlorine pumps... they must be monitored daily & frequently during the day.

some otters do live in saltwater, could a salt-water-generator be more effective ( I wonder) ?

From observation of a otter tank near by,
I see that they have at least three of four skimmers in their free-form pool.
each skimmer has skimmer blockers ( or protectors) as the otters are constantly sticking thier paws in. One otter kept trying to put things in it ( lol)
I would also suggest a mani-drain protective cover for safety

Please post pictures of the otters in pool when completed
( I love otters )

[Waterworks]

We use chlorine feed pumps at the three 500,000 L. commercial pools we take care of and have had no problems to speak of at all in the few years we've been using them. I have a call in to Pool Pilot Canada about whether they have experience with SWC's in otter pools. If they tell me it's a good idea, that's the route I'll be taking.
We are going to be custom building some type of cage to cover the entire floor and any skimmer openings. Sadly, a few months ago they lost an otter to suction entrapment, so we will be taking many precautions to prevent this from happening ever again.
We are also thinking that since otters fur is so oily that Natural Chemistry's Pool Perfect would be great to reduce the oils.

I'll definitly post some pics when I'm finished.

Brad