Modifications or additional filtration to
your pond: Will it become redundant? In most cases the simple answer is; yes!
Adding more of what you already have is redundancy squared. As hobbyist realize
they need more filtration to an already existing filtration system or
rebuilding their ponds and making them larger always presents the same problems
of making the same mistakes but with additional cost.
I’ll give you and example of what I mean.
Lets say you have this wonderful Nexus, Bead filter or Sand filter and you’re
happy with what you have but now you need more because your Koi and/or needs
have changed. In most cases you will not buy another Nexus because of the
expense of $3000-5000.oo more for a filtration system is a little too much.
Therefore, you will try to build a supplement filter or be convinced in someway
that filter X is a better choice for your needs and will cost you a fraction of
what a Nexus does. Lets remember I’m not picking on Nexus filters just using
them as an example only.
In this scenario, which plays itself out all
the time with pond owners, the options are either more techno equipment; cost
being still high, or a build it yourself filtration system. The high tech
equipment will give you some advantage over the homemade filter but then again
cost will influence that to a greater existent, too. So the homemade filter is
the lesser of two evils and better WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) because cost
will be lessen. You will also have the enjoyment of saying; “I built it
myself!”
Now here’s the problem; have you really
gained anything other than more of what you already have? The high tech
equipment may or may not give you cleaner water with higher ORP and Lower TDS
but that home made filter will not. Some will try and make Bogs or Veggie
filters but if not done just right you will not gain what you think you should.
Using filter mats for colonization of more bacteria will only cause more work
in the long run because of clogging. Adding rocks and stone to your pond is
going backwards in time to days of yore in ponding and you what to progress not
regress with technology.
Anoxic Filters today are the most
progressive filtration system out there. With plants they can eradicate germs
that cause illnesses to our Koi, clean water, help prevent cyanobacteria that
plague so many ponds, raise ORP, lower TDS, and stay open to biological and
chemical mediators that other system can’t do because they don’t clog up those
valuable pathways in the filters substrate. They are easy to build that a child can do it and though not
an easy system to understand its science, will not let your valuable Koi down
in colder geographical location by bacteria loss in the winter months.
Understanding its science is why so many
hobbyists think the AFS will not work or is really just another Bog or Veggie
filter, however, it is not! It is a well thought out filtration system used for
decades to purify water cheaply and efficiently enough to keep aquatic life
alive for many years to come. It does not take a very highly skill level person
to make up the Biocenosis Clarification Baskets. Don’t let this name intimidate
you, it just a scientific way of saying how the baskets work.
As I have said before not every filtration
system is perfect for everyone but I have seen even the most expensive filters money
could buy, not do the job they were intended to.
QUOTE from Vince from a Koi forum post # 465
dated September 4th, 2014:
“My anoxic filter is 4-foot deep and the (BCB’s)
baskets stacked up on the inside using 40-mm pipe work to give a gap for water
to flow under each one. And no plants at all, Yes, it did take longer to get
going but it is working fine now and I’m very happy with my readings that have
come down from Nitrates over 180-ppm to just 20-ppm now. As for as the other
readings go there still fine also but it was only to get the Nitrates down I
fitted the Anoxic filter anyway.”
[ED: That’s a whopping 160-ppm lower now
using an AFS over a conventional system.]
And now without further ado, a word from
pond owner Shelly that uses the AFS in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley
with photos.
 |
| Shelly's pond in panoramic view. |
QUOTE:
“I just had to chime in on your 8/27 "No
Chemicals" post from Brian Woodcock.
As you know, Dr. Novak, I am a very new and
inexperienced pond owner. We built our own 4' deep, 3800-gallon pond, and
filled it just 10 months ago.
I USE ANOXIC FILTRATION.
I HAVE NEVER NEEDED OR USED ANY CHEMICALS.
Our Anoxic Filtration chamber is modeled after
Brian Woodcock's -- except ours is hidden under our deck next to the pond. It
is gravity fed from an aerated bottom drain. We made our own
pre-filter between the bottom drain and the AF chamber. The AF chamber contains
18 unplanted 11" Biocenosis Baskets, and there are 6 more planted
Biocenosis Baskets in a small 14" deep 'bog' (see photo) that adjoins the
pond.
NO MAGIC: In addition to the circulation created
by the aeration and 2 TPR’s, we keep a steady flow of water through the
bog. Our pond also has a Skimmer and an Emperor HO ( High
Output) UV. My weekly maintenance consists of netting and/or trimming any dead
leaves off my aquatic plants, changing my filter media (round, commercial
floor-buffer pads). I recently purchased a Pond-Vac as well, knowing LOTS of
leaves are about to fall. That's it! No magic.
MY POND WATER IS SO CLEAR that, sometimes when the
light is just right, my Water Hyacinth and Cabbage seem to be floating in the
air. It is difficult to get a picture of the bottom because my camera wants to
focus on the reflection instead, but I have managed to capture a couple. I'll
let these photos speak for themselves. SEE THE BOTTOM??
I should also add that I allowed my granddaughter
to select 3 small butterfly Koi from the pet store, and release them with our
14 gold fish. I have never had Koi, but their GROWTH RATE IS ALMOST SCARY! I
only feed them all in the morning.
Again, thank you for making it possible for us to
have such a nice, AFFORDABLE pond. I expect many others to eventually join our
ranks!
Shelly
In Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley
[ED: Once again I can’t thank those enough that
let me know how they are doing and letting those on my blog know too.]
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