Thoughts on moving bed as sole biological filtration

[brad leslie]

Is it ok to rely on a K1 chamber aerated moving bed as the sole biological filtration on a pond if sized correctly?

Thanks

[*Ci*]

My thought is … absolutely.
However, redundancy is nice to have in case of unforeseen emergencies, so having an additional circuit, like say, the skimmer going to a sand&gravel filter or two would be good insurance and give you some fines filtering. S&G’s provide decent bio, as well. My first pond ran on 4 of them and Steve Joneli (birdman) used to recommend them as the sole filter on smaller ponds.

[brad leslie]

My pond is approximately 5300 Gallons. Its got a single 4" bottom drain & 4" skimmer that both feed into a 45/40 profidrum. From the drum via 2 of 4" lines it goes to a draco bio chamber of 130 gallons.
From the bio it returns via 2 of 2100 gallon/hour pumps to the pond.

I was considering adding a bakki shower but unsure if I will see a benefit

Cheers

[*Ci*]

A biofilter should be sized based on stocking and feeding levels, not so much the volume of water. If your moving bed is keeping up with the amount of ammonia your fish are producing then you would not need more … but keep in mind that your need will increase as small koi grow larger.

A shower filter would add the safety factor of more room for bio conversion, a back up filter if it is on a separate pumping circuit, and extra aeration if that is a concern.

[brad leslie]

thanks

[aquaholic]

You can add redundancy against equipment failure to a single moving bed filter with dual independent air pumps (can both be on the same manifold) and dual water pumps. And - or back up elelectricity supply. Keep spare pumps and spare parts for pumps too.

If your pond is heavily stocked, having two independent filters provides better security and peace of mind. If your pond is lightly stocked, you don't really need any redundancy or electrical backup.

[Paul Sabucchi]

Moving bed filters are probably the best performing bio filters, given that they soon develop a biofilm that harbours not only nitrifying bacteria but also other useful micro organisms like rotifers that also do a great job at breaking down waste, in a way adding a "mechanical" filtration getting rid of the smaller particles that even a drum can't catch. Some say that this biofilm does require plenty of oxygen so a redundant air pump is a good thing to have. I also prefer to have the water flow split between more than one pump, if one breaks at least you are not losing all the filtration and it also helps to share the flow equally to all returns. You can oversize the container and then just add K1 as the fish grow.

[brad leslie]

You can add redundancy against equipment failure to a single moving bed filter with dual independent air pumps (can both be on the same manifold) and dual water pumps. And - or back up elelectricity supply. Keep spare pumps and spare parts for pumps too.

If your pond is heavily stocked, having two independent filters provides better security and peace of mind. If your pond is lightly stocked, you don't really need any redundancy or electrical backup.

Pond isnt heavily stocked, 14 koi from 18-30" or thereabouts in 5300 gallons

[brad leslie]

Moving bed filters are probably the best performing bio filters, given that they soon develop a biofilm that harbours not only nitrifying bacteria but also other useful micro organisms like rotifers that also do a great job at breaking down waste, in a way adding a "mechanical" filtration getting rid of the smaller particles that even a drum can't catch. Some say that this biofilm does require plenty of oxygen so a redundant air pump is a good thing to have. I also prefer to have the water flow split between more than one pump, if one breaks at least you are not losing all the filtration and it also helps to share the flow equally to all returns. You can oversize the container and then just add K1 as the fish grow.

I have one air pump on the bottom drain & 1 air pump on the moving bed bio chamber. Ive got another spare one in the shed for just in case
My system has 2 water pumps on it for exactly this reason & again I have a spare in the shed.
Cheers

[BWG]

Many commercial fish operations with only a RDF and moving bed.

[brad leslie]

Many commercial fish operations with only a RDF and moving bed.

good enough for a commercial operation then surely good enough for me, cheers

[aquaholic]

I recently re-constructed my aeration into moving bed filters with a rigid PVC frame - 4mm air holes - held down with 2 house bricks. What a huge improvement this was. Previously I dropped in weighed airline tubes.

[Angie Jones]

I'm no expert, but all I have on my QT is a moving bed filter. I've had everything from a spawn of tiny fry to my whole herd when I suffered an otter attack in my pond and the K1 has handled every situation flawlessly.

[rayjay]

I've been running a 4000 gallon pond, 11 KOI (15” up to very large) since 2017 with a Profidrum RDF and a single 55gal K1 MB with no issues at all. The MB air manifold is a Birdman's SG manifold with the pump running 365/24/7. I have a drain on the bottom of the MB and drain it completely, followed by several partial fills/drains to remove any sediment during my pond water changes. This system has worked very well for my pond, so much that I can't remember the last time I tested my water parameters. My KOI speak to me every day and claim they are happy simply by the way they act.

[brad leslie]

I've been running a 4000 gallon pond, 11 KOI (15” up to very large) since 2017 with a Profidrum RDF and a single 55gal K1 MB with no issues at all. The MB air manifold is a Birdman's SG manifold with the pump running 365/24/7. I have a drain on the bottom of the MB and drain it completely, followed by several partial fills/drains to remove any sediment during my pond water changes. This system has worked very well for my pond, so much that I can't remember the last time I tested my water parameters. My KOI speak to me every day and claim they are happy simply by the way they act.

Yeah ok interesting. I wouldnt of thought a moving bed of that size would be big enough but there ya go

[rayjay]

Yeah ok interesting. I wouldnt of thought a moving bed of that size would be big enough but there ya go

This setup was based on an installation & consultation with Norm Walsh. I also thought of installing a shower but after observing how the pond & KOI were performing decided otherwise. Less expense, less noise.

As an "edit" to my comment about not remembering when I last tested water parameters, it was last year. I do try to keep up with biweekly water changes and I do add baking powder weekly, especially after rains. AGAIN, MY POND

[brad leslie]

This setup was based on an installation & consultation with Norm Walsh. I also thought of installing a shower but after observing how the pond & KOI were performing decided otherwise. Less expense, less noise.

As an "edit" to my comment about not remembering when I last tested water parameters, it was last year. I do try to keep up with biweekly water changes and I do add baking powder weekly, especially after rains. AGAIN, MY POND

I’m up for less expense

How much water do you change?

By biweekly I take it you mean every second week?

[rayjay]

I’m up for less expense

How much water do you change?

By biweekly I take it you mean every second week?

My water changes are anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/3 depending on what else I'm doing. Once the MB is "flushed" I throttle the draining so it's basically unmanned << is that appropriate, maybe unperson???

I up in age now so the frequency of when varies. I haven't done a water change yet this year but I will before my next doctors appointment

[brad leslie]

My water changes are anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/3 depending on what else I'm doing. Once the MB is "flushed" I throttle the draining so it's basically unmanned << is that appropriate, maybe unperson???

I up in age now so the frequency of when varies. I haven't done a water change yet this year but I will before my next doctors appointment

Ok mate, thanks