goldminer
Koi Lover
Dec 27, 2007, 11:32 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: [njin9] DIY KI and/or Shower Bacteria House Media
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Soaker hose is generally made of 65 to 75% recycled tire material (very tough synthetic rubber polymers) , the remainder being primarily polyethylene thermoplastic (like plastic bottle caps, bottle crates & milk jugs). Both of which are extremely durable, UV resistant & in combination with each other, relatively flexible. Wear, tear & deterioration is not a factor, anymore so than normal bio-balls used in any bio-filter system. Matter of fact, most bio-balls are very brittle, compared to this material.
As for cost per cubic foot. That depends on where your find soaker hose (new or used). You can often find used soaker hose at garage sales, thrift stores, recycle centers & the like. In which case you are only talking about a few dollars (usd) per cubic foot. If you want new & in bulk, you can order huge rolls (up to 1000 feet) from any number of wholesale landscaping, garden supply, or even the soaker hose manufactures themselves, at fairly low prices. You can find it in 3/8ths, 5/8ths, 3/4 & 1 inch diameter.
In the same vein, I have used monofilament mesh type pot scrubbers as bio-house material for several years. Which are very durable & have about 150 to 300 times the surface area of bio-balls. Yet, are not prone to clogging, plugging, or deterioration. The cost per cubic foot is only about $12 or $15 dollars (usd) if bought in bulk from import wholesalers, that supply merchandise to USA Dollar type stores.
Along the same lines & at the very pinnacle of bio-housing material is low grade Diatomite rock. Lower grades of Diatomite rock (not to be confused with pure grades of friable/soft chalk like commercial filter type diatomite) is primarily composed of the fossilized skeletal remains of microscopic single-celled aquatic plants called diatoms. Fresh water diatom skeletal remains are composed of “amorphous” (not cancer causing) silicon dioxide (that silica, in this case = opal).
Diatoms skeletal framework is generally tubular in shape, from 5 to 100 microns in size, light, rigid, exceptionally porous, and this grade of Diatomite rock can generally hold 100% of its weight in water.
Most bacteria measure from 0.2 - 0.3 microns in diameter and can be seen only through a microscope (1 micron equals 0.001 millimeters), or about 1/25,000 of an inch across.
Given the characteristics of this type rock (very light weight, inert & micro-porous ) & the size/environmental characteristics of desirable bacteria (both aerobic & anaerobic), this type rock can be colonized externally, as well as internally.
In this case aerobic bacteria prefer the surface, near surface & anaerobic bacteria prefer the deeper interior. So, you have the very best of both worlds, in one bio housing media.
I mention this, as low grade Diatomite rock is a waste product of filter grade diatomite mining operations.
So, if you know where to find it, you can usually get tons of it, FOR FREE. Matter of fact, I found a ½ million ton supply for free.
Same goes for Zeolite rock, which will absorb ammonia. It’s free, if you know where/how to find it.
I built several PVC pipe stacked columns (like canisters) 4 foot in length, filled with ¾ minus Zeolite rock..
Which, I can divert system water into & through, to control ammonia spikes, should they ever occur.
If you wonder, I am a retired mining engineer. So, at least for me, finding / acquiring these sorts of rock, was an easy inexpensive task.
By no means am I cheap. Frugal would be a far better word. I would not risk $30K++ of fish, using some mickey mouse, or not well thought out filter media.
In fact to insure my investment in just a few hundred gallon discus breeding / rearing system, I run double redundant bio/media filter systems, with double redundant pumps. One at about 5% of it’s capacity, one at full capacity. That way, both are, and remained seasoned & I can switch from one to the other. In case one requires repair, modification, or maintenance. Backing that up is a separate emergency mechanical filter system, if need be. Along with an emergency gas generator, in case of electrical power loss, just to cover all the bases.
Cost factors have a lot to do with ones ability to find / acquire whatever it is they seek, at prices they are willing to pay. In my case, you cannot beat FREE. Except the time spent, finding it free.
Being retired, except for attending a few annual board or stock holder meetings, for a day or two. I have a lot of spare time, all year long.
Moreover, I enjoy the hunt for the most optimal (insert whatever) that exists & gain considerable pleasure, if I can get it at the very lowest possible price, or free.
(This post was edited by goldminer on Dec 28, 2007, 12:53 AM)
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