Last edited by kdh; 12-12-2018 at 10:33 PM.
I don't think medias clog. When there is no water coming out of a particular filter then the filter is clogged (doesn't happen really). Rather there is a increased in water retention in the filter and within the pores of the media when water is slowed. The pores of the media doesn't really clog either as long it's space is wet (which is always). When there is an increased water retention in a filter, there will be more denitrification. A filter can be overfed.
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ---- Marthe Troly-Curtin
KoiRun on YouTube, latest video:
https://youtu.be/72iiuRXY2Wk
I think you might contradicting yourself here. You are saying "water not flowing" (ie what your refer to as clogged) in the pores of the media, be it a flow through pore or a dead-end pore, creates "pockets for denitrification," but, in order for denitrification to take place nitrates must be delivered to denitrifying bacteria. Nitrates cannot be delivered without water flow. If nitrates can be delivered and denitrification is taking place then there is water flow and the pores are not clogged, correct?
Edit..
Even in a 'clogged' "open cell media" which I referred to as through-and-though media, if the clogging material is wet, it is not considered clogged. This material, usually detritus, biofilm, or sludge etc. will still absorb water and it's nutrients (eg. dissolved organics, nitrates, sulphates, etc) for bioconversion.
Last edited by KoiRun; 12-16-2018 at 03:05 PM. Reason: clarification
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ---- Marthe Troly-Curtin
KoiRun on YouTube, latest video:
https://youtu.be/72iiuRXY2Wk
Gasp! Is that what these new-fangled things are for? Well, I never! You must have missed one of my earlier posts where I said I had a DIY Bakki shower, unfortunately I was sold crap media that almost immediately started breaking apart, etc. etc., so I dismantled it. I must admit, your water IS crystal clear!
Thanks for the mini chemistry lesson and the corresponding visual. I really needed a laugh. Did you take a good look at it?
I know it wasn't intentional but I was LOL; maybe I just have a warped sense of humor. I'd be willing to bet that guy wasn't too happy though.
"IS CARBON A GAS / PEOPLE ALSO SEARCHED FOR ( insert of Man's Photo)
https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...30#post2698130
Thank you for that link, kimini. I'm reading it carefully between working on another project here because after the first four pages I'm seriously wondering /considering talking to Zac about a custom build of a shower for my pond (and we just put all new equipment in~ DH is going to kill me!) I need vertical but somewhat narrow and small. Yours is amazing! (my DH is not like you!). I got why yours was horizontal but couldn't wait to see why such an odd configuration.. I'm following the discussion carefully re: pumps, head, etc. (Flow Friend Pump! - never heard of them and Amazing!). Of course I remember years ago CA's rolling black-outs trying to deal with the energy crisis. I just never kept up with the technology developed in answer to that - especially for ponds. Anyway, I'm sure I'll have questions, but for now thank you!
kdh, Thank you! As I said, I only thought to ask because "iron" was mentioned and I've had problems with heavy metals in my well water.
As for folks using "Lava Rock", you are correct. I've been on this forum since 2004 and many, many discussions were had about people using it very happily and successfully. Not long ago someone was asking where to buy it. Years ago Feather Rock was hard to get and very expensive compared to lava rock. You are also correct in the lighter vs density (clog reference later in the thread). Although I didn't have a lava rock tower/filter, I did use some in my planters in lieu of soil with bare-root water plants and had to tie them in mesh bags first because some of the lava rock was becoming buoyant. If any clogging was involved perhaps they just dumped the bag in without rinsing everything thoroughly first. Sometimes there are smaller broken pieces in the bottom ... if those aren't put aside, I could see those as a source of a clog.
You learned the old "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule of ponding.
I'm sorry you don't have a pond any longer but I'm very glad you're still here to share your wisdom and experience. We can all benefit from that.
Thanks, I'm sure that's what it was. But originally koinoober wrote:
My concern was that the "Tetra-SS" bacteria had gone bad or was producing a particularly gaseous smell when combined with ammonia. I'd never heard of Tetra-SS bacteria. The only effective seeding bacteria I know of is the one by Keeton Industries, I've used that myself. So I suggested the experiment. It's what I would have done first to set my mind at ease and then move on to other causes.
In my pond, any additive is the first suspect to check when things are "off" (aside from water parameters of course). But that's just me. Better safe than sorry.
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Since the discussion has come around again to Feather Rock, etc. - can anyone tell me what the current pricing is like and is it still hard to find?
Lol that guy is from messenger on Facebook lol. I forget to close it out when I screenshot. They arent answering the phone but I believe diablo landscaping is .42 a pound. It might have been as high as .57 a pound. I've picked up a bunch of it but mainly use the cheap Chinese ceramic media . The feather rock makes up the first half of my 1st shower bin. Then it is all ceramic media and the lithaqua is submerged in the last tier of shower. Also helps with fines removal and raise kh. I'm also using ro so the lithaqua should help with the kh a little. I'm sure my kh is no more than 3 drops and ph is 7.6 all day
Today's nitrates
I am not an expert. It is my understanding that water does not have to flow through the media for biological filtration to occur. It has something to do with positive/negative charge. I remember when I first saw Waddy's (ERIC) submerged J-mat media with the open 'channels' through the media. I thought that he was crazy... because I was always fighting channeling.
member
Not a bad price on Feather rock but I'll bet the shipping will still be the sinker. Where are you using the lithaqua? I have some in my holding tank. Have you ever figured out how "much" lithaqua (volume) it takes to = the level of kh in your pond? That's something I'd really love to know.
It's interesting to see all your opinions!
Now what if a bakki shower has no air flowing into it(through gaps or holes), will all the gas from the ammonia build up inside the filter or will it just fall down with the water and out the return?
The smell is still coming from the bakki shower and I even smell it on my other filter, which also has a lot of new media.
Again it's not sulfur-like but more of a stove gas/gasoline-like.
Tetra-SS is a bottled bacteria by Tetra, called "Safe Start Plus", and there's no way it was a "spoiled" bottle. It actually smells like almonds.
I've read a lot of different opinions on air exchange and showers, but in my experience it's impossible to not have
some air exchange unless you've got it sealed in a container. My shower stack is fitted one on top of the other and it's
never had any sort of smell. The water falling through the shower seems to pull air into it from the top and all the
small gaps that happen between the individual boxes. Without holes or the large spaces between boxes, I don't get
splashing from the water. And yet my water parameters remain good.