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About Biological Filtration |
| In order to maintain a clean, clear pond with thriving aquatic life, filtration is needed. In ponds found in nature, the concentration of fish is fairly low, so filtration occurs through natural processes. Generally, man-made water gardens tend to have a much higher ratio of fish to water meaning that the amount of waste products released by the fish is much higher also. To make up for these unnatural conditions, installation of a filter is necessary. There are three types of filters: chemical, mechanical and biological. This discussion will be focusing on the latter. Biological filtration can only occur in a mature pond, meaning that bacteria must be present to convert waste material, composed mainly of ammonia, into beneficial nitrates, which fertilize any plant life present. Biological filtration works in a three-step process. First, fish release waste product into the pond water. The contaminated water is pulled into the filter with the aid of a pump and forced through the biological media (Little Giant's biofilters contain lava rock). The beneficial bacteria present on the media absorb the toxins and release nitrates (plant fertilizer) back into the water. The more bacteria present, the better the purification. The bacteria need oxygen to survive and they get this from the water. Oxygen is absorbed by the water from wave action, waterfalls, fountains and wind. The pump connected to the filter needs to run 24 hours a day or the beneficial bacteria will die from lack of oxygen. Below is a diagram of a Little Giant Biological Filter:
As water enters the filter at the bottom of the canister, the Vortex Separator spins and evenly distributes the water across a series of filter pads and then to the bio media, where the bacteria converts poisonous ammonia into harmless nitrates. Annual replacement of the filter element (bio media) is recommended. |
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