BIO-FILTER MEDIA

[Mmathis]

I've read about all sorts of stuff being used as bio-media. Here are some ideas I've decided to try:

1. GARDEN SOAKER HOSE -- I've cut the 1 to 2 inch sections on the diagonal which seems like it would give the inside of the tubes better flow -- looks good, anyway

2. PLASTIC NEEDLE-CRAFT MESH: I'm using this as part of the "false floor," so have sheets & sheets of it, Cut some into little squares.

3. CANNOLI -- didn't have anything better to do, so twisted some of the mesh pieces (#2 above) and stuffed them into the soaker hose pieces (#1 above) so they stick out just a tad on either end. There's probably no advantage to it, but they look cool!

4. CORRUGATED plastic -- the stuff they make yard signs out of. Again, have some for another project so thought it was worth a try. The sheets have little channels in them, and when you cut them, you can get little strips with holes.

I plan to get a supply of scrubbies, and some of the other things y'all have suggested, too. So with stuff all mixed in together, my little bennies (beneficial bacteria) will think they're at DISNEY WORLD (where I'd like to be...)

 

[erb...]

i used soaker hose, it seems to work quite well but that said toward the end of last year i stopped useing the sum pump i had on and bought an all in one unit that pumps, uv, filters and fountains. this year is bringing some real problems for me, i had a visit from a heron that ate my golden boys so i covered my pond, i have had broken hoses that emptyed the water and now i got dead or dying snails,its a real pain, i cant seem to get a happy balance.

 

[Shoestring Ponder]

Very interesting, especially your homemade cannoli's Love the idea and may just have to try that w/o the soaker hose (don't have that). I have used the nylon scrubbies and the square scrubbing pads that I cut in 1/2. I have them in 2 mesh laundry bags around the down pipe of the filter tub. That way, I can remove them and spray them off slightly and return them to the tub w/o too much trouble...in fact that is my job today if it warms up! I used to do plastic canvas and have oodles of the stuff. I also have oodles (couple 100) small zip ties that I have not idea what to do with, so I may try to fashion a shape using the zip ties and the canvas. I guess the idea is to have a lot of surface for the beneficial bacteria to live on and gobble up the crud. As you can see by my moniker, I love shoestring ideas. Could not afford the simple pleasures I have if not done on a shoestring budget. :luxlove:

:goldfish:

 

[fishin4cars]

Post more detail on the type of filtering you plan to use. Skippy, drum, filterfall etc. each one has it's pro's and cons. you did such a good job of your planning of the pond take the time to do the same for the filter. i know you'll get multiple replies that you'll have to figure out what is best for your application. One thing I'll say, if using scrubbies don't pack them, don't go to deep a layer. the fisrt year mine worked great, (22" of scribbies in a 35 gallon drum ith upflow, this year I'm noticing more channeling and a lot more buildup on the surface of the scrubbies. I have really grown fond of using green matala just before my pump in the skimmer, It's not cheap, but it's very effective against removing larger particles that make it through the skimmer basket but traps them before they get to the pump and the bio chamber. Of course a sieve or settling chamber would even be better but with matala it's really easy to clean with a garden hose and since it's a mechanical filter not a bio-filter cleaning it with a hose won't effect your bacteria bed. It cleans easily and installs back in seconds.

 

[Mmathis]

LARKIN - Still considering my filter options. Right now, leaning toward the drum, with SKIPPY as 2nd choice.

Also going to add small pieces of PVC pipe that are left over slices from my support frame. Found some 3/8" corrugated tubing used to manage cords. Cut up, that loolks interesting.

I figure that with a variety of media pieces, there will be less packing-down and more flow. I don't want to have things packed down.