Meanwhile, there is another
question I would like to ask. In the beginning of your article you explained
about the nitrification process from ammonia to nitrite then to nitrate. And
the mistake of most hobbyist of neglecting the danger of accumulating nitrate.
From here I got the idea that the main purpose of the Anoxic Filtration system
was to break down nitrates by taking the oxygen away and leaving the nitrogen
to go free to the air. Meaning that the Anoxic Filtration system is still an
integral part of the already existing nitrification process. So if I put it
into my pond system the flow will be as follow:
Mechanical filtration:
Here the solids that
might clog the bio filters are separated and backwashed daily.
Biofilter-1:
Here is where ammonia
is converted in to nitrite
Biofilter-2:
Here is where nitrite
is converted in to nitrate
Anoxic Filter:
Here is where nitrate
is stripped from oxygen and releasing nitrogen thus completing the cycle
I’m sorry if I got the
chemistry wrong here. But, somehow from the later parts of your articles I got
the impression that the Anoxic Filtration system is a standalone system, not
needing the two previous biological steps (Ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to
nitrate). All it needs before entering the system is a good mechanical filter.
So which is correct, my initial assumption or my latter conclusion?
One more question. About the
plants to be planted in the baskets, do we have to plant them? What would be
the benefits? What would I be missing if I didn’t plant any? I am looking
forward to as minimum maintenance as possible. Okay Dr.Kevin Novak, again
thank you very much for your kind assistance. I will be taking photos of my
pond later today, and will send it to you along with the kitty litter
experiment result to help give you a better picture of my pond.
Best regards,
Yogas
 |
| This photo was take by me from a waterlily growing in an Anoxic filter without fertilizer tabs. Now what hobbyist wouldn't want this in their garden or Anoxic filter? This beautiful flower is what you would be missing if you left plants out of an Anoxic filter. Look at the colors, absolutely breathtaking! |
Yogas,
The difference from that of an Anoxic filter and
conventional filter is the Anoxic filter does not make a waste product like the
bacteria in the Nitrogen cycle does. Either plant and/or bacteria utilize as a
food source from all available ions. As you stated in your outline, biofilters
1&2 both produce a waste product that another bacteria has to consume as a
food source. The Anoxic filter can do all that and then some with a specialized
bacterium without the dependency of a highly oxygenated medium to live on.
If the bacteria in biofilters
1&2 begin to clog or if a hindrance of oxygen were to become an issue, then
that bacterium would suffer, and its ability to carry out the Nitrogen cycle
would be compromised. A compromising of bacteria is not even a risk with the
Anoxic filter, which is good if you have Koi 20" or longer and
overcrowding is an issue and for some reason oxygenation
of the pond is stopped or lowered oxygen levels in solution. Your Koi
may suffer but not the bacteria in the Biocenosis baskets.
Each biocenosis basket acts like a giant magnet
that attracts ions (positive ions) out of solution; I explain that in my blog.
So the nitrogen cycle as you know it and have explained, is not relevant with
the Anoxic filter. High oxygen loving bacteria are not its primary reliance;
that is only with conventional filtration.
In fact just this weekend I was at someone house
looking at a Nexus 300 filter and when the lid was opened the K1 medium was not
moving at all and the airline going to the Nexus was broken. How long was it
broken, is anyone guess. It just goes to show you that accidents do happen and
if for some reason the hobbyist does not check their equipment every day the
nitrogen cycle will become compromised very quickly. Not so the Anoxic filter, because
all you have to do is get water from point A to point B and if the ion flow
stops for some reason (as illustrated in my blog what happen to a hobbyist in
the UK) the bacteria will utilize another food source for dinner and its oxygen
requirements.
Plants are an option as shown in my blog but all
Anoxic filters that are outside benefit from plants. From a cosmetic point of
view, WAF (Wife acceptance factor) and taking in cantons and anion out of
solution. Not only does the Anoxic filter give you a water garden look with
plants in it but also a fancy goldfish pond in the summer months...You can’t
put little fishies in a Nexus filter, unless they like hurricane conditions.
I personally like plants but I also like big fat
Koi too and it seems like the two don’t mix very well in ponds unless the
plants are protected from the hungry Koi. Well, now the Anoxic filter gives
you some options; plants or no plants, Koi and/or Goldfish.
Anoxic Filtration System by Syd
Mitchell, Tony Ruiz & Dr Kevin Novak
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