Biofilter
Biofiltration is a pollution control technique using living material to capture and biologically degrade pollutants. Common uses include processing waste water, capturing harmful chemicals or silt from surface runoff, and microbiotic oxidation of contaminants in air.
What is a bio-filter for a pond?
A more powerful, and we think, useful pond filter is the biological filter. This particular filter may or may not have a mechanical pre-filter included in it, but within a bio-filter is material that will grab some of the organic debris that passes through it. The important part though is what’s also inside the filter.
How do pond filters work?
The pond water is forced to flow through the filter via the pumping system, and as it does so, the beneficial bacteria can work to break down toxins in the water. One of the main uses for biological filtration is to convert harmful ammonia, which is toxic to fish and bad for a pond ecosystem, into nitrates.
What are the different types of pond filtration?
There are two main types of filtration, as they can be either mechanical or biological. Added to that, you can also have UV clarifying. Mechanical – This is simply where the water is forced through a filter, as can be seen with the Pondmaster 5430 Pond Filter.
Is a mechanical pond filtration system right for your pond?
There is no backwash available, which can make it a little harder to clean, but overall maintenance isn’t really an issue. As well as the high-quality mechanical filtration, you also have biological filtration that will remove those toxins from the water. Despite having that compact size, it’ll still work for any pond that is up to 1,000 gallons.
How do you put a bio filter in a pond?
1:263:28How to install a pond filter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEvaporation. Here our pumps going to pump into the filter. And our filter is going to go back intoMoreEvaporation. Here our pumps going to pump into the filter. And our filter is going to go back into the waterfall. The outlet of the filter is going to go back into the waterfall.
What is a bio pond?
A bio-pond is an eco-sustainable freshwater basin designed for bathing, able to optimize the phyto-depuration capacity of aquatic plants through a closed-loop system that regenerates naturally, quickly creating a habitat rich in biodiversity.
How do I clean a pond bio filter?
The best way to clean your biofilter is to gently rinse the filter mat and Bioballs in pond water. Rinsing them this way will remove any gunk and large debris without killing too much of the ecosystem your pond spent all year creating. There is one exception to the once-per-year cleaning rule.
What is a biofilter and how does it work?
Biofilters work by absorbing noxious gases into a biofilm where microorganisms break down the gases into carbon dioxide, water and salts and use the energy and nutrients to grow and reproduce.
What is the best way to filter pond water?
Biological Filtration Biological filters are hands down the best products on the market and are brilliant in their design. They take in water that has already moved passed the skimmer, and will often be situated on the opposite end of the pond.
Does an outdoor fish pond need a filter?
Ponds with large amounts of dust or high leaf litter entering the pond require greater filtration. It is better to have a filter that is over capacity than under capacity, so when in doubt choose a bigger model.
How often should I clean my pond bio filter?
How often should I clean pond filter media? A filter box should rarely need a clean if the pond is well maintained and the media is performing optimally. A well optimised and maintained filter should only need a clean a few times a year, but the amount of cleaning would also depend on your pond's bio-load.
How often should I clean my bio filter?
2:314:14How often should you clean your biological filter? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce every week I'd be cleaning hanging on filters. Probably about every two. Weeks all governed byMoreOnce every week I'd be cleaning hanging on filters. Probably about every two. Weeks all governed by how dirty they are. So once again cleaning the tank water not tap water. So all it would be a matter
Can you over filter a pond?
The size of your filter should ideally be based on the Koi population and how much waste they are expected to produce. But it is not easy to see the waste volume; so just go at least twice as big as your pond size. You can never oversize your filter.
What is a natural bio filter?
Biological filtration is a general term referring to the process of using beneficial bacteria to clean the water on a molecular level. In a natural stream or river, bacteria colonize on the stones and pebbles at the bottom of the stream, which naturally breaks down toxins as the water flows around.
What does a biofilter remove?
In recent decades, the use of biofilters to removal of contaminants from wastewater and waste gases is being developed. Biofilters use microorganisms, which are capable of degrading many compounds, fixed to an inorganic/organic medium (carrier) to break down pollutants present in a fluid stream.
How do you install a bio filter?
Steps in starting a biofilterPrepare the water chemistry of the system before introducing either nitrifying bacteria or animal stock. ... Provide alkalinity, a carbon source. ... Adjust pH if necessary. ... Provide ammonia and nitrite. ... Introduce nitrifying bacteria. ... Begin monitoring water quality parameters.More items...•
What are the 4 types of ponds?
Be sure to know what your end result will be from the beginning and enjoy your water feature!Fountain Ponds. A fountain pond keeps water clean without having to have many pond plants. ... Water Fall Ponds. Waterfall ponds are a great way to make the best out of your outdoor space. ... Pondless Waterfalls. ... Natural Pond.
How long does it take for a biological filter to work?
Once dead the colony takes 4 to 6 weeks to build up to a reasonable working level again. Good water flow rate throughout the filter biomedia.
How many types of ponds are there?
There are two types of pond systems; Earthen or natural type and. Concrete type.
What is difference between pond and lake?
Lakes are normally much deeper than ponds and have a larger surface area. All the water in a pond is in the photic zone, meaning ponds are shallow enough to allow sunlight to reach the bottom. This causes plants (sometimes too many) to grow at the bottom of ponds as well as on their surface.
What is a biological pond filter?
A quality biological pond filter is an essential piece of equipment necessary to any well-designed filtration system. Biological filtration is a broad term referring to the means of housing beneficial bacteria that are able to clean pond water at a molecular level. In a natural stream or river, bacteria colonize on the stones and pebbles at the bottom of the stream, which naturally break down toxins as the water flows overtop. It is this natural process that manufactured biological filters attempt to emulate. However, instead of cultivating bacteria at the bottom of the pond like in nature, for ease of maintenance, bacteria are colonized in various types of filter media, which are stored in a filter housing outside of the pond. The water is forced to flow through the filter via a pumping system, or a gravity fed system.
Why do we need a biofilter for ponds?
One of the main uses for a biological pond filter is to convert harmful ammonia, which is toxic to fish and other life, into nitrite and then eventually nitrate. Amonia is naturally produced from fish waste and other decaying matter in a pond. Although nitrate is non-toxic to koi and other pond fish, ...
What happens when water is pumped into the bottom of the filter?
Water is pumped into the bottom of the chamber, causing the filter media to fluidize and expand while swirling inside of the chamber. This constant motion of the filter media is what distinguishes fluidized bed filters from traditional biological filters. The biological filtration process takes place as the bacteria housed within ...
What is a fluidized bed filter?
Fluidized bed filters are one of the newer advancements in filtration technology. The main difference is that with regular biological pond filters, the filter media is stationary inside the filter. In the case of fluidized bed filters, a special type of granular media is used which occupies the bottom portion of a flooded chamber. Water is pumped into the bottom of the chamber, causing the filter media to fluidize and expand while swirling inside of the chamber. This constant motion of the filter media is what distinguishes fluidized bed filters from traditional biological filters. The biological filtration process takes place as the bacteria housed within the granular media interacts with the flowing water. The water eventually makes its way through the abrasive filter environment, to the top of the chamber where the water is returned by gravity to the pond.
How does a gravity fed koi pond work?
Gravity fed filters, like the name suggests are fed by gravity via a bottom drain at the bottom of the pond. The top of the filter is placed exactly level with the top of the pond, such that gravity will naturally equalize the level of the water in the filter to be the same height as the rest of the pond. The last chamber of the filter contains a submersible pump which pumps filtered water back into the pond. Multichamber filters work well due to the multiple stages that the water must pass through before finally being returned to the pond. Each stage contains a unique filtration method, methodically refining the water quality further as each stage passes. The first stage of such systems is often a Vortex filter, which filters out heavy solids including fish waste, leaves, and hair algae.
What is gravity return pond filter?
Gravity return filters have been around for sometime and are one of the most cost effective biological filtration systems available. Water from the pond must be pumped into the inlet of the gravity return biological pond filter using either a submersible or external pump. The water then flows through the filter, ...
Why do pond filters have to be elevated?
Because of this, the filter must be elevated above the surface of the pond for gravity to pull water from the filter back into the pond. This feature happens to also be one of the complaints associated with gravity return filters; they must be elevated above the pond level, and are therefore harder to conceal. A pressurized pond filter.
How does a biofilter for aquaponics work?
The biofilter is essentially an extension of the surface area of your aquaponics system. Bacteria attach themselves to the surface of your biofilter media. In fact, there are two types of nitrifying bacteria. The first converts the ammonia to nitrites, the second convert nitrites to nitrates.
Why is a biofilter important?
The biofilter forms an essential part of your system; ensuring the plants have access to the nitrates they need while the fish have the clean water they need.
What bacteria do you need for aquaponics?
To achieve this you’ll need nitrifying bacteria which lives in the grow media of your aquaponics system. However, if you don’t have enough surface area on your growing media, there won’t be enough bacteria to perform their role in your system.
Why is aquaponics important?
The theory behind aquaponics is that it is possible to mimic nature and create the perfect growing environment. Aquaponics utilizes fish to produce nutrients for plants, the bacteria then clean the water for the fish. An aquaponics biofilter aids this process and ensures that nothing goes to waste, just like in nature.
What is a moving bed filter?
Moving bed filter. If you have a floating raft system then there is not much surface area for the bacteria to collect on. To overcome this you’ll need to add a biofilter. A moving bed bio-filter. K1 media is small, circular shape pieces, that provides the maximum possible surface area for the bacteria to collect on.
Can you use a biofilter in aquaponics?
However, in some aquaponics systems (DWC, NFT, and Vertical aquaponics systems), you can’t rely on the natural process, this is when you need to add your own biofilter to boost the surface area of your system. In essence, you’re introducing the bacteria and a place for them to live; they will still convert the fish waste to plant food for you.
Can fish produce enough waste for aquaponics?
Low quantities of fish will not produce enough waste to justify the aquaponics biofilter; the exposed plant roots will provide enough of a surface area to convert the ammonia to nitrates.
What is a bio filter for ponds?
Your homemade bio filter is a device that will provide a home for colonies of bacteria which feed on debris that finds its way into your pond.
How to make a water pump out of foam?
Step 1 – Foam the Container. Cut the foam into sections that will fit into the bottom of the container, plus each of the sides and the top. Make a hole in the top section of foam, large enough to pass the outlet pipe through. Cut another hole in the side section for the pump’s power cord.
What is the best filter for a small pond?
For a small pond, having a waterfall with a compact filter could be perfect, and the Pond Boss Complete Filter Kit with Pump is a great example of that. If instead, you have a much larger pond, the OASE BioSmart filter would be perfect as they have models suitable for ponds of either 5 or 10,000 gallons.
How much does a Pond Boss filter cost?
On the budget end of the scale, you can get good value for money with the Pond Boss Complete Filter Kit with Pump for under, $70 which is going to look great in your pond.
How much does a Laguna pressure flo filter cost?
For premium quality, the Laguna Pressure Flo Filter at just over $250 provides incredible features with its 3-step filtration system and ability to be placed in-ground. For huge capacity, the OASE BioSmart 5000 Pond Filter at just below $180 would be perfect.
How much GPH does a pond filter need?
Some filters, such as the Pond Boss Complete Filter Kit with Pump, have a much smaller capacity and need the pump with a GPH of 320 or less. At the other end of the scale, the Aquascape Pond Filter and Waterfall Spillway is a much powerful model and can handle up to 5,000 GPH.
What do you need to know about ponds?
The first thing that you need to know is the type of pond you have. This includes the fish that will be in there, where the filter is going to be placed and approximately how many gallons the pond is. Once you know that, it’ll make the buying process a lot easier.
How many gallons of water can an oase filter hold?
The model that we looked at was great for ponds of up to 5,000 gallons, and they also have a model that will go up to 10,000 gallons.
Why do fish need a filter?
The fish needs to be kept in a healthy environment. They produce toxic waste, and without a filter, there will be the growth of harmful bacteria and the build-up of other waste. They also consume oxygen, and this needs to be replenished over time. Due to all this, the requirements for a pond with fish are a lot greater than those without them. An effective filter will remove waste and prevent harmful bacteria while adding oxygen to the water. Without an effective filter, fish would struggle to survive.
Mechanical filtration
It is what it sounds like. Mechanical filtration is going to be any device (skimmer, filter materials) that doesn’t interfere with the chemical make-up of your pond. The reason to use this type of filtration is to separate any physical debris or sludge from the water and hold on to it.
Biological filtration
I know what this looks like, a bigger, fancier version of a mechanical filter. Alas, I have fooled you! There is a very important aspect of bio-filters that set them apart from regular old mechanical filters; bacteria.
What is a skippy pond filter?
Perhaps the most popular DIY pond filter online is called the Skippy filter and this uses a stock tank for the filter body rather than a box or barrel. Stock tanks also provide some circulatory motion of the water much like barrels and they will also have water enter at the bottom of the tank and this will rise up through the filter media, which is made up of numerous brillo like pads that not only filter the water but they also provide home to the bacteria as well.
Why are barrels good for ponds?
Barrels make good filters because of their round shape. This provide a very nice vortex or circular motion of the water internally which can help add a bit of oxygen to the water prior to it rising into the bio-chamber. Multiple barrels can be daisy chained together to help provide filtration to bigger ponds.
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What is a physical filter?
Like an oil filter in your car, for example, these are simply designed to take out some of the larger particles of stuff that are floating in the water. This debris get’s caught in the mesh or foam, and filtered water is allowed to pass through.
What happens when a fish pond gets trapped in a nitrate?
As material gets trapped, and this is specifically relating to organic material, this will be broken down , or in a sense, eaten by the bacteria. These good bugs will also convert ammonia and nitrites into harmless nitrates which is very important work for fish ponds.
Is a bead pond filter good?
Of course there are many commercial varieties of pond filters available and many of them are very good. Some, such as the fully enclosed bead filters can be quite expensive which is one of the reasons why many people want to save money and try to do something for themselves.
Where is the PVC pipe in a fish tank?
Pvc pipe is installed internally within the barrel, along with some screen, filter foam or screen for prefiltering, and some type of media that can provide a home to the bacteria. The photograph included here show’s a nicely designed barrel filter in use in a fish holding tank. Water can be pushed into the filter by use of a submerged or external pump, and discharge takes place through an outlet pipe near the top of the barrel.
Why Is A Koi Pond Filtration System Necessary?
- Filters are an essential feature of any koi pond. To keep your fish happy and alive, they need clean water with balanced chemical levels. Though solid debris like leaves or trash might be easy to throw out, the ammonia levels in the water from fish waste can become toxic. It's crucial to use filters to create a healthy environment for them. Koi pond biological filters use a natural system t…
What Is A Biological Filter For A Koi Pond?
- A biological filter for koi ponds is a type of system that uses nature instead of a mechanical system. It does not filter out or collect particles but instead allows natural bacteria to grow. It allows your pond to become a self-contained ecosystem. It mimics the natural biological filtration that happens in natural bodies of water, where bacteria grow and remove toxins in the water. It a…
What Does It do?
- The main purpose of a koi pond bio filter is to break down toxic chemicals that can build up inside ponds. The filter allows nitrifying bacteria to grow on its filter media materials. As the pond pump pushes water into the filter, the bacteria break down waste and chemicals inside the pond like toxic ammonia. Ammonia comes from fish waste and decay...
How Does It Work?
- A koi pond bio filter system uses bacteria that are beneficial to break down any debris created by plants, fish, or the natural environment. It does not add any harsh chemicals but filters the water naturally and safely by allowing beneficial bacteria to grow. The filter media traps any debris particles as water flows through. As pond water is pushed through the unit by the pump, the bea…
What to Look For When You Get One
- When you are looking for a biological filter for a koi pond, you want to ensure it meets your pond's needs. The size and placement of it are important things to consider as you look for a biological filter. Some of the large and high-quality filters might be expensive as well, but a reliable filter is essential to any koi pond. Here are some other features you want to look for in a bio filter:
Types of Biological Filters
- There are several types of koi pond biological filtration systems and different features to look for depending on the size of your koi pond. Here are some of the most popular types:
Conclusion
- When researching filters for your koi pond, you will see that there are many options to choose from. However, a biological pond filter has many benefits over a mechanical filtration system to keep your pond fish healthy and happy, while promoting the growth of natural beneficial bacteria.