The drama of light -- without danger of shock -- enhances the edge of this Sylvan Pool. Fiber optics in the form of neon have been used in commercial applications, such as store signs, for more than 100 years. Recently, the lighting method has made its way into residence design.

In this Maryland pool, halogen gas in a tube was installed just below the blackstone coping, directly above the waterline. The light source is out of sight and well away from the water. A color wheel placed in front of the light source provides a spectrum of five colors. Because the lit tube contains no electricity, but only gas, the application of fiber optics to a swimming pool is safe.