Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality: I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one..

Home


	MAIN INDEX	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Home: KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality:
I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one..

1 2

View All

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 12, 2006, 1:06 AM

Post #1 of 32 (2108 views)
Shortcut

I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one..	Can't Post

Hello everyone,

I hope my question in the topic wont cause anyone to get uninterested to reply to my post.. My pond currently has a mechanical filtration only. My pond has this chamber where the water flows thru the sponges and corals. Basicly all it does is to filter the 'shit' and algae out. I have 3 pumps. 2 big one, a swimming pool pump 2.0 HP and another 1.5HP pump. 1 more is a small pump whch is left on all day long. Only the 'chamber' which I mentioned above is submerged in the water, the rest of the sponges isn't. My pond holds approximately 1000 gallons of water.

What I'm missing here is a biofilter. I don't know how it looks like or how to buy or build one. I get very confused when reading web sites about biofilter because I don't understand the terms used, how is it placed or how it looks like. Can someone please explain to me or link me to a website describing a how to build/install/buy a biofilter?

Do u have any advices of how to make my current filtration system more effective from the info I have given above?

If you need any pictures of my pond/filters to guide me, feel free to ask me to post them! Smile

Thank you very much!!

zoul
Member

May 12, 2006, 6:52 AM

Post #2 of 32 (2093 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger89

I got a fish called roger...
Any how your prob. Is your pond at ground level ?
you might like to build yourself a veg filter to do the biological thingy.
Vegetable Filters

Biological filters convert the most toxic elements of decay and fish waste into less harmful compounds.

Two of these, "Nitrates" and "Phosphates" can build up in the water and create problems such as water discolouration, algal growth and greater susceptibility of fish to disease. Chemical filtration can be used to reduce or remove these compounds but this can be expensive, especially in the larger pond. Regular partial (Not more than 10% of total volume) water changes also help. An alternative is construction of a vegetable filter.

These are usually constructed adjacent to the pond and consist of a lined area around 10 inches to 15 inches deep (25 to 38 cm.) filled with gravel. The area of the filter should be as large as possible. Plant out with quick growing, heavy Nitrate feeding plants such as Crassula, Nasturtium Aquaticum and Eleocharis. Water from the biological filter can be fed through the vegetable filter prior to returning to pond or alternatively pump fed directly from the pond.

A great bonus is creation of a bog environment which will enhance the landscaping of the immediate pond area and attract a host of wildlife.

Koi38
Senior Member

May 12, 2006, 9:00 AM

Post #3 of 32 (2089 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Roger,

Please have a read here...

http://www.koicymru.co.uk/construct.htm

you will get lots of info and answers. They have pics too which is even better Cool

.

If you still need help just yell but not too loud Tongue

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 13, 2006, 7:37 PM

Post #4 of 32 (2065 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Koi38] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Alright thanks guys. After much reading from many websites, I now have a basic understanding of a bio filter.

I would want to try to build a bio filter 'based' on bacteria 1st..

Is there anyone who would want to sell/give me your unused bio balls? I live in KL, Malaysia.

Also, I have a question, how do I know if the water flow rate of my chambers is too fast for the bio filtration to work efficiently? and, how long after putting the bio balls will I see the effect taking place in my pond water? Does the bacteria in the bio filtration need constant moving water to live? because I occasionally on my big pumps.

Thanks!

koiguyoz
Member

May 13, 2006, 10:28 PM

Post #5 of 32 (2058 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

You certainly need a constant water supply from the pond through the biological filter at all times to maintain the bacterial population.

I'd suggest that either:

(a) you use only one of the pumps for biological filtration. The pump that can circulate the volume of the pond once a hour will be a good choice;
(b) trade and sell them for more eletrically efficient pumps.

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 14, 2006, 4:18 PM

Post #6 of 32 (2040 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Roger,
Do u know how to go to Taman Desa? There are 2 koi shop there. I think they are selling the 1.5" bio ball for 15 sen each. They come in a box of 900 I think. Other place sell u about 20 sen to 30 sen each. If I remember correctly the shop name is Atari. If u use bioball it takes longer for the bac to grow compare to ceramic rings. Mine takes about 6 months for the bioball + jap mat to fully functioning.
Cheers mates.
Cheang

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 5:59 PM

Post #7 of 32 (2017 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks DrCheang for telling me about the shop. But unfortunately Old Klang road is too far for me.

Anyway I built my bio filter already with 188 bioballs + air pump. I bought 2 bags of bio balls. One bag consists of 100 balls. But one of my bag had only 89 pieces, crap!.. I counted it at the shop but now I see it's less.. Unsure

One bag cost RM18...

However, here's a pic of what my modification result is..

I love comments if you would. One air hose to the pond one go to the bio filter. It's a 4.5W air pump. I got a question, do u think the O2 concentration in the bio filter is too much for the 188 bio balls?

Is there anyone who would want to sell me their extra bio balls or air stones?

TQ....

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 7:26 PM

Post #8 of 32 (2013 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger,
188 balls is not enough for a 1000 G pond. Mine is onli 500 G n I got 900 balls with jap mat. N it takes 6 months for the bio filter to be mature. During that time u need to frequent change water n check the parameter. I previously use gravel n it takes onli 2 week for it to be mature. http://www.koi.com.my/cgi-bin/koiforum/gforum.cgi?post=74884;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread
go to this link n see how I use 900 bioballs n jap mat for my filter n TT. End of the tread though. I was using UV till it blow when I m in Australia. No one to repair it. My water was green for 3 months when the UV blow. N my wife tell me that the pond suddenly become clear after 3 months. I m now in Australia though n no chance to see it.
Cheang

(This post was edited by drcheang on May 15, 2006, 7:35 PM)

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 8:41 PM

Post #9 of 32 (2005 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

wa.. finish lo my money buying so many bio balls .. RM180+... Unimpressed

DrCheang, my pond and filter isn't newly built. It's been already 8 years since built. Just that my dad did not have much knowledge in filtration, so now I'm trying to 'perfect out' what was not 'perfect'.

My pond water is actually not that very bad currently, just that it's slight greenish. I'm hoping it would turn crystal clear with this bio filter thinggy. Especially since I got new baby koi's which I hope to take them to a koi show one day. Angelic

Anyway, do u think it will take less than 6 months for my bio filter to mature since my chambers itself is already mature?

man.. 1000 bioballs... Crazy

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 9:08 PM

Post #10 of 32 (2002 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger,
Since u got filter running for 8 years, then the bioball will mature much faster. Less then 1 months I recon. I wish u best of luck. Do feel free to ask Q here as there are many cifu here.
Cheers mate
Cheang

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 9:59 PM

Post #11 of 32 (2001 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Alright, thanks DrCheang.

I got a question, how do I know when my biofilter is mature?

And based on the pic I posted, do u think it's too much aeration I concentrated on the filter? The air stone is just 1 inch, not enought to cover that compartment. Do u think the bacteria would still live on the bioballs closer to the walls where the air bubbles are not there?

TQ!

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 15, 2006, 10:21 PM

Post #12 of 32 (1999 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger,
Ur filter is mature when ur water parameter is all zero (NH4, NO2, NO3). Dun worry about the air. The more air the better. Infact u should have bigger air stone.
Cheers mate
Cheang

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 16, 2006, 2:57 PM

Post #13 of 32 (1976 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

DrCheang,

Can u answer 1 more question for me pls... do u think it's possible to over 'bio filter' the water as in the ammonia and nitrite level reduce so low(which is good) but the nitrate level is increasing due to the plants or algae can't handle the huge amount of nitrate?

Also, is it true that if u use bio balls, the ammonia and nitrite level will go down but the nitrate level will rise instead? If so, how do I conquer that problem?

Thanks.

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 16, 2006, 4:26 PM

Post #14 of 32 (1971 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger,
If ur filter is working fine then amonia n nitrite will be zero. If u well air them even nitrate will be low. However to really keep nitrate low u need to build a TT or trickle tower. If u search TT of Baki shower or BH in this forum then u will learn about it. The link I gave u is how I made a cheap TT. U can use beer bottle container to make TT.
Cheers mate
Cheang

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 18, 2006, 12:27 AM

Post #15 of 32 (1940 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

DrCheang,

I think my modifications have made a significant difference already. I'm seeing the water clearer, though it's still greenish. Today is the 2nd day after I put on the bio filter and an air pump. On the next day the water was already clearer. Any idea if it's true that the bacteria really spread/multiply that FAST? Or is it just my air pump doing some miracle?

here's 2 pics for u to see

I can see the pebbles below whiter than last time... Anyway which do u think played the trick? The biofilter or the air pump(to the biofilter and pond)? Do u think I can make my water crystal clear? I mean the pebbles below will really look white... If yes how? bigger air pump or more bio balls?

Thanks!! Smile

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 18, 2006, 12:07 PM

Post #16 of 32 (1918 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Roger,
I have see ur pic. Sure the air buble does hell lot of difference. It supply lots of O2 to the bacteria to use up the fish waste. The bioballs will mature faster cause there were old media there n the bacteria will multiply into the new balls. It may takes a few days for it to mature. If new filter then much slower. Make sure u check the water parameter with chemical kits. It cost though. Each kits cost about 50 to 60 RM. U need NH4, NO2, NO3, PH the minimum. The rest is optional. Koi hobby is not cheap. The first setup is expensive. If u had done it properly at the first go then every thing is self maintain. I left my pond to my wife for 1 year without maintainance except clean the Vortex every week( which actually change 5-10% of water). The fish n water is fine. N mind u all are DIY from this forum. Ask reasonable question here n lots of Cifu will help u. First u must read all the related tread b4 asking Q. Ur pond is fine at the moment as the fish is still small. U will be tempted to buy more fish n the fish will grow. Then headache will come. Trust me. Lots of ppl here will tell u this. Wink

Gets ur basic understanding of ur pond here first. I had read n visit many forum. This is the best as it give all the ideas of cheap DIY. Sure if u r rich then no problem. Build 1 Baki shower with 100 Kg of BH solve all ur problem. But each Kg of BH is RM 60 n u can do the maths.
Cheang

kemeer
Member

May 19, 2006, 12:12 AM

Post #17 of 32 (1903 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good explanation drcheang..... This is what the forum is all about helping out each other and improving our knowledge further at no cost at all. ie. x'cept for the equipments. hehe Wink

.

So you must know koi38 very well then....

kemeer
Member

May 19, 2006, 12:16 AM

Post #18 of 32 (1900 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Roger89,

Do i notice a louhan in your pond photos? It's massive!!! Shocked

... Wouldn't it harm the kois?? OMG!!!! I just noticed there's also a giant catfish in there..... So Big la....

Koi38
Senior Member

May 19, 2006, 12:26 AM

Post #19 of 32 (1899 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kemeer] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

So my eyes wasn't playing tricks on me Crazy

.

I saw that massive catfish Shocked

but I wasn't sure, now I'm sure Smile

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

drcheang
Koi Lover

May 19, 2006, 9:50 AM

Post #20 of 32 (1886 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kemeer] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Kemeer,
Actually I know Jon (koi38) like u guys onli.. Laugh

We had a few private message but we are 800km apart Shocked

.
As for flower horn actually can mix with other fish. If the koi is big enough. It will fight among them self because of territory but quite harmless to other fish. Unless the koi is 2 " long n become their food Pirate

. I had no experience with giant cat fish though. Thats is huge!!!
Cheang

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 19, 2006, 3:42 PM

Post #21 of 32 (1868 views)
Shortcut

Re: [drcheang] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

hehe thanks guys for all the comments.

Kemeer, it is not a louhan, it's a tilapia fish. I need to get him out. It's so irritating. Plus it's size is ready to go on my plate. Anyway, I tried fishing that guy out using rod and line. Man he's too smart... or maybe u mean that yellow guy? he's just like the tilapia, aggressive... any suggestions?

Yup, that is my african cat fish there! The pond is abit too small for him. Plus he hates the bubbles from the air pump.. lol

Hmm well, I got a question.. Smile

. I got an ugly koi without a left fin. Do u think it will grow? I'm not sure how he lost it. But I'm sure that fish is a bit dumb(like food nearby he's real slow at getting it) and not active Frown

...

kloh
Koi Lover

May 19, 2006, 4:45 PM

Post #22 of 32 (1854 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/InNews/africancatfish2004.html

You sure your kois ain't gonna end up in the belly of the African catfish one day? How big is your catfish anyway?

Roger89
Koi Lover

May 19, 2006, 6:39 PM

Post #23 of 32 (1848 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kloh] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I hope not. But I realise sometimes some koi's get missing... Unsure

It's 4 feet long.. approx.

SeanLee
Koi Lover

May 19, 2006, 11:32 PM

Post #24 of 32 (1840 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

i think your kois just the right size to feed the 4-feet-long cat fish Unsure

kloh
Koi Lover

May 22, 2006, 11:58 AM

Post #25 of 32 (1807 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Roger89] I don't have a biofilter, please guide me here to build one.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ohmigod, 4 feet long is scary man!!! What does it feed on (other than koi)?

1 2

View All

Search for (options)

Back to Koi.com.my Main Page

Disclaimer Privacy Statement
Copyright 2001~ 2002 Hileytech Sdn Bhd , All Rights Reserved.
No part of the forum postings can be copied without prior permission from Hileytech Sdn Bhd and the Author of the Posting.
For comments and Suggestion, Please contact the Webmaster at koi@hileytech.com