Biofiltration and bio starters or bacteria starters
I received a very interesting question from a lady reader this week. In essence the question was what is difference between a biofilter and the powder she throws into her pond every week as recommended by a dealer.
The powder she was referring to is called a bio-starter or bacteria starter. These powder products are offered by many companies and are probably worthless in practise. Some products are available in liquid form.
The powder is supposed to be a mixure of naturally occurring bacteria that are also found in biofilters. The types of bacteria required for effective biofiltration are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites and Nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrite to nitrate (in fact life is not as simple as this but this explanation suffices for this article).
Some manufacturers claim that their bio starters contain Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Now it is extremely diffiult to freeze dry and keep alive such sensitive bacteria so any claim should be backed up by definitive proof of the fact that such powders do contain those bacteria and they are in a form that will work. If there was a viable population when packed then the question to be asked is are the bacteria still viable ater "x" weeks on a shelf in non-controlled conditions.
If the concoction does not contain Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter then what value is it anyway?
In these newsletters and my book I do my best to make sense out of pond keeping to save people money and hassles so they can enjoy their pond keeping and without having to do too much work.
Here is a classic example of a product sold in large quantities world-wide without any value being added to a pond.
A well known technical/practical writer on the subject of biofiltration is Gerry Preston. Gerry lives in the UK and is a regular contributor to Nishikigoi International magazine. Gerry claims spitting into the pond has as much value as adding bio staters and probably more.
Spit apparently contains living Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
For reasons explained in a previous edition a biofilter is absolutely essential if you want to keep fish in a pond. In my opinion it is cruel not to install a biofilter since without a biofilter the fish will live in a potentially highly toxic environment.
A biofilter will automatically start itself up once fish are introduced into a pond.
Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are naturally occurring and will rapidly find their own way into the filter. They then need oxygen from circulating water as well as excreted ammonia from the fish (this occurs naturally) to thrive and multiply. It will take some considerable time for the biofilter to reach maturity. For this reason add more fish slowly over a perod of time - do NOT add many fish all at the same time.
Building a biofilter is simplicity itself and low cost for most small garden ponds. I have published a new web page with a diagram showing how simple it is.
Take a look at these two sites:
- designing a biofilter
- making a boxed filter
To summarize:
Think carefully before buying any so called bacteria starter or bio starter. In general do not add anything to a pond unless you understand why you are doing it and are sure of the benefit to be gained. If no obvious, proven, financial or fish health benefit then Do Not Add to your pond.
Many commercial pond products are a total waste of money and time.
It is because many people do not have biofilters that products have been "invented" to attempt to compensate for this inadequacy. Manufacturers are quick to see opportunities to add to their turnover.
Free pond calculator go to this page to download the pond calculator
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QUICK TIPS QUICK TIPS QUICK TIPS QUICK TIPS
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1. A waterfall adds oxygen to a pond by creating a large surface area across which air can be absorbed into the circulating water.
2. A simple fountain also adds large amounts of oxygen to pond water. A fountain is cheaper than a waterfall.
3. Before buying any pump check what the running cost will be.
Look on pump box and if you can find watts consumed multiply this by 8.76 and you will get units (kWhrs) of electricity consumed every year by your pump.
Go to your electricity bill find cost per unit and you can work out running cost of the pump.
If you can only see amps on box you can work out watts as follows: amps x voltage of mains supply = watts
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New articles published on our web site ...............
A Peter J May article covering sludge in ponds and filters has been published since the last edition
In case you are not aware of the articles we publish by leading experts in the water gardening field take a look at one of our main sites which covers all kinds of topics related to water gardening where you will see the list.
Peter May, one of the leading UK water gardens landscapers, is just starting his own website and maybe you would like to see what he has to say there. This is his web address where you will find the details: of the Perfect Pond Detective He would appreciate your visit.
Peter is a real expert in the practice of water gardening. He even dug all his own holes for many years. He offers consulting services and does talks at very modest rates throughout the UK.
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VERY SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER KEITH SIDDLE GIFT CARD SETS
After last edition's offer we still have a few left so here is offer again. Strictly first come, first served this time. I will be contacting lucky winners within next few days.
I am offering to post sets of Keith Siddle gift cards to Gazette subscribers ONLY. They are truly magnificent. If you would like to look at samples go to this web site:
http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/siddleoffer.htm
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can ask questions we will try to answer ..............
Our water gardens gazette index page is here We will try to answer personally but if this proves to be not possible because of large volumes of e mail we receive we will certainly answer in future Gazettes.
Interesting Articles
Biomedia for garden fish pond filters revisited
Biotek Pond Filters Unique Compact Revolutionary
Cycling of nutrients in koi and goldfish ponds
Filter Falls for Biological Filtration Inside A Waterfall
Fish Mate UV and Biofilter combo unit
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