Bio Filters???

16 years ago

I have been reading on this forum about Bio Filters however I am confused. It sounds as if these are separate from the skimmer box that I have (contains a net, with the pump underneath). If the Bio filters are separate where would I put one? I have a stream so anything in there would be noticeable and then the pond itself, which once again would be noticeable. I know I am missing something just not sure what? Also, it sounds as if there is varying opinions on what materials should constitute a bio-filter. So not to be noticeable what materials would you use?

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Comments (8)

kponder
16 years ago
I'm still kinda new, too (about a year w/ my pond), but as I understand them, a biofilter is a place for "good" bacteria(which will use up the nutrients algae uses) to grow. They are available at most home improvement stores, but many people, myself included, make their own. The important thing is to use material with a lot of surface area for the bacteria to colonize. People use all sorts of items- store bought bioballs, cut up straws, floor cleaning pads, shower scrubbies, lava rock, etc. I have a "skippy" type filter filled with shower scrubbies and a little lava rock on top...seems to do a nice job. Google "skippy filter" to get more info on this DIY project. Happy ponding!
~Kevin
ccoombs1
16 years ago
A pond has solids in it such as leaves and other things you can see. A mechanical filter removes these things from a pond. A skimmer removes the ones that float. A bio-filter removes the things that you can't see....harmful ammonia that can kill the fish. A bio-filter contains live bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite, then to nitrate which is used up by the plants (if you have any) or discarded with water changes. Nitrates are not harmful to the fish. Beneficial bio bacteria can grow on any surface and will help biologically filter the water that passes over it.

Your stream is a very basic bio-filter. It has surface area that grow beneficial bacteria and water passes over it. Rocks in the bottom of the pond also can grow some beneficla bacteria, but also trap and harbor waste and harmful bacteria under them.

Depending on the size of your skimmer, you may be able to add some bio-media to the skimmer. Filter brushes, springflo, even bird netting are good examples of light-weight bio media.

You've heard people talk about skippy filters? A skippy is sort of a bio-filter combined with mechanical filtration. You can add a skippy to your pond and disguise it like a waterfall to help your bio-filtration. Add a clean-out drain to the bottom of the skippy and keep it clean though....don't believe Skippy's line about not haveing to keep the filter clean. It will build up a ton of crap and that gunk needs to be removed from your system.
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Let me talk about what I meant before I start to answer the questions you asked. At 800 gallons you have a lot of weight in the tank roughly 7,000 lbs. There is fairly little force pushing on the bottom, about 1.5 psi so the ground will not have a problem with that force. But the wood walls will have a lot force against them. You say you are going to use cedar garden post but you don't say how it will be built. So let me tell you how mine is built. I used treated 4x4's for the walls. These were put together like Lincoln logs. On the bottom layer the corners are lap joints so there is a 4x4 going all the way around. Then there is a 4x4 on top of this on the 12' length and then a 4x4 on the 4' width so there is a 3.5" gap between each layer of 4x4 all the way up to the top where the top layer has lap joints. In each corner there is a .5" threaded rod going down through each 4x4 to hold all the 4x4's together. There is also two more .5" threaded rod on each of the long sides holding those together. Then there is 1/2" plywood lining the box with a liner inside that. Within two days after filling the tank the bottom of the long sides had bowed out at least 2 inches in the center. After about a year the long walls on the bottom had bowed about 4 to 5 inches. At that time I decided to put two 2" pipes set in concrete on each of the long sides. This stopped from bowing any more. But even with this there are some pretty good size cracks in the 4x4's after 16 years and at some point the 4x4's will fail. Why 4000 gph flow rate? This gives me a twenty minute dwell time. Is this idea? No one knows for sure but this rate has been used for years with a great deal of success. Filters today are going to a much lower dwell time and they work somewhat. My pond system is 19,500 gallons including the water in the filters. The first 12 years that I ran this filter it had 2 ft of lava rock held above the pipes on the bottom that had holes in them to distribute the water. On top this there was one roll of spring flow and 36,000 ft of 1/2" wide PVC plastic strapping. Then there was 4 inches of polyester pads. This filter was cleaned once during that time. At that point in time I removed the lava rock and replaced it with PVC ribbon which is a machined product of 1/8" wide continuous ribbon. This filter currently has about 18,000 sq ft of surface area to grow bacteria. No I do not spike the biofilter with beneficial bacteria as there is no need to do this. Currently there is no manufacture producing a beneficial bacteria with a bacteria that a good koi pond can't produce on it's own and maintain on its own. Granted it takes the pond years to do this. I have gone on here way too much all ready to continue to talk about beneficial bacteria. Depending on the type of pond beneficial bacteria is not only a good thing but a necessary thing. Mike
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I used a rubber sheet cut to fit behind the flange with the hole for the pipe barely large enough to fit snugly around the pipe. Most people cut an X smaller than the pipe diameter since the rubber will stretch to fit. I used a silicon type adhesive/filler to attach this gasket to the filter body although there are a number of products that would work as well. It doesn't have to dry hard. In fact it is better if it remains flexible. It has been in place over 10 years now. The flange can be tightened down to compress the rubber to prevent leaks. Check the plumbing section for DIY rubber sheets. They are usually about 4x4 inches.
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he can step it up with live bacteria though if he is worried. I was always told that bacteria starts growing when the water temperature is over 55 or so. I kind of have the same concerns. Thats why I planted my veggie filter so early. I don't want to get into my pond yet because it is cold but I would feel a lot better if I had the leaves off of the bottom gone and the bacteria in my filters going well.
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Absolutely you can and should use Mosquito Dunks for that situation. Probably don't need a whole one. Read the directions they go by surface area of the pond.
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kalevi
16 years ago
The biofilter, if done right, removes both suspended solids and the suspended green algae. Google diy pond filters and you will get many hits. Do some research and you will find you can build one yourself much cheaper than any filter you can buy.
lappe
16 years ago
I have had my pond for 4 years and was also fighting green/brownish water, I had an adam's filter but was cleaning that daily. This year I built a skippy biofilter, and now have clear water. It is such a treat to walk outside and enjoy the pond, and not stress about having to clean the filter. It took about 2 weeks to clear, and I had to control myself from doing a water change or clean the filter. Take everyone's advice and get a biofilter, than let nature take it's course.

Thanks for all the good advice
Janet
pikecoe
16 years ago
Very well said. Exactly accurate. My experience also. Glenda
oppalm
16 years ago
I agree about the "skippy" or bio filter. I struggled with water clarity issues for 2 years before I built my modified "skippy" early this springtime and I could not be happier with the water quality and enjoyment from my pond. DO NOT wait, do it this weekend. You'll never regret it.
jls04
16 years ago
Oppalm...do you have any details on your modified "skippy" filter? I am putting in a 1000 gallon pond. Looking for advice!

Thanks.
pikecoe
16 years ago
Check out www.skippysstuff.com Glenda

Bio Filters???

Comments (8)

kponder

ccoombs1

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