Biofilter - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T14:29:22Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/biofilter-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A113185&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Harold. Thanks for sharin…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-05:4778851:Comment:1450022011-07-05T03:14:02.199ZLarry Yonashirohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/LarryYonashiro
Hi Harold. Thanks for sharing your insights on the swirl filter, previously unknown to me. Looks like you've got a good discussion going on that subject already, so I'll be following. We recently had a hatch of 2,000-3,000 fry which triggered this new research on the biofilter. Not much of a problem now, but will be in a few months. I've added two 300 gallon stand-alone tanks to house the fish, and am installing a 1,750 gallon stand-alone green tank (hatchery) to house the little ones,…
Hi Harold. Thanks for sharing your insights on the swirl filter, previously unknown to me. Looks like you've got a good discussion going on that subject already, so I'll be following. We recently had a hatch of 2,000-3,000 fry which triggered this new research on the biofilter. Not much of a problem now, but will be in a few months. I've added two 300 gallon stand-alone tanks to house the fish, and am installing a 1,750 gallon stand-alone green tank (hatchery) to house the little ones, thus the research on the biofilter. I intend to use the hatchery as an overflow or source of fish if I need them in my evolving system. Any fish over the recommended loading for this sized tank will be sold, given away, or eaten. None of this was planned, all crisis management. Hi Larry,
I know that Skippy…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-05:4778851:Comment:1446362011-07-05T02:01:55.163ZHarold Sukhbirhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/HaroldSukhbir
<p>Hi Larry,</p>
<p>I know that Skippy filters claim in an article that they never need cleaning but that would depend on your fish load. From your information I see your fish density looks light so this may not apply to you directly. But as a general note, to avoiding anaerobic issues developing from overload of fish waste solids in AP we can utilize a swirl filter before the bio filter. This way we can trap and remove solids before the bio filter making it more efficient and at the same time…</p>
<p>Hi Larry,</p>
<p>I know that Skippy filters claim in an article that they never need cleaning but that would depend on your fish load. From your information I see your fish density looks light so this may not apply to you directly. But as a general note, to avoiding anaerobic issues developing from overload of fish waste solids in AP we can utilize a swirl filter before the bio filter. This way we can trap and remove solids before the bio filter making it more efficient and at the same time avoid clogging.</p> Thanks for sharing the sites.…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-05:4778851:Comment:1447262011-07-05T01:46:09.128ZLarry Yonashirohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/LarryYonashiro
Thanks for sharing the sites. I'm in the process of building a biofilter and Skippy's site was very enjoyable reading.<br></br>
<br></br>
<cite>Chi Ma said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biofilter-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A29786#4778851Comment29564"><div><p>A couple of these will work.…</p>
<p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
Thanks for sharing the sites. I'm in the process of building a biofilter and Skippy's site was very enjoyable reading.<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Chi Ma said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biofilter-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A29786#4778851Comment29564"><div><p>A couple of these will work.</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" target="_self" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-Canister-Filter-External-CFS-500-GPH-60-100g-/110623296234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c1a98aea#ht_2046wt_905">Canister filter</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Or if you insist on DIY</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" target="_self" href="http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm">Skippy Filter</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote> Compost can provide some usef…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-19:4778851:Comment:1137392011-05-19T14:16:17.715ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
Compost can provide some useful heat but you need a huge amount of it to really be effective.
Compost can provide some useful heat but you need a huge amount of it to really be effective. Hi Karen,
Just on the first…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-05-19:4778851:Comment:1131852011-05-19T04:45:05.357ZAlfio Contarinohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlfioContarino
<p>Hi Karen,</p>
<p>Just on the first part of your post.</p>
<blockquote><p><i>we made the decision in Oct to heat a room in our shop, and moved them inside. Well after two months of utility bills, we are making some different choices again</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Have you ever consider using a compost heater? I’m about to build on this Saturday. Not as fancy as the one in the link but a basic drum and hose in the same fashion to heat the tank in winter...</p>
<p> …</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hi Karen,</p>
<p>Just on the first part of your post.</p>
<blockquote><p><i>we made the decision in Oct to heat a room in our shop, and moved them inside. Well after two months of utility bills, we are making some different choices again</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Have you ever consider using a compost heater? I’m about to build on this Saturday. Not as fancy as the one in the link but a basic drum and hose in the same fashion to heat the tank in winter...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/11/free-hot-water-from-compost-wheelie-bin/">http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/11/free-hot-water-from-compost-wheelie-bin/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> here is a link to a DIY swir…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-12-29:4778851:Comment:311112010-12-29T00:29:23.000ZEarl wardhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Earlward
<p>here is a link to a DIY swirl filter <a href="http://www.ecofilms.com.au/2010/08/20/diy-swirl-filter-for-aquaponics/">http://www.ecofilms.com.au/2010/08/20/diy-swirl-filter-for-aquaponics/</a></p>
<p>good luck I warned you its addictive</p>
<p>here is a link to a DIY swirl filter <a href="http://www.ecofilms.com.au/2010/08/20/diy-swirl-filter-for-aquaponics/">http://www.ecofilms.com.au/2010/08/20/diy-swirl-filter-for-aquaponics/</a></p>
<p>good luck I warned you its addictive</p> I use home made biofilters fo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-12-23:4778851:Comment:301922010-12-23T05:34:56.000ZRicky Flickengerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RickyFlickenger
I use home made biofilters for my tanks, working my way up to growing veggies. Basically, I use large glass vases from goodwill (cheap) filled with lava rocks and houseplants at the top. The pump for the tank pumps water through a hose that goes to the bottom of the vase. I also have a an air pump hooked up to an airstone at the bottom of the vase to help the roots get extra O2 since its not a flood and drain system...so far I have great results. Crystal clear water, healthy fish, no…
I use home made biofilters for my tanks, working my way up to growing veggies. Basically, I use large glass vases from goodwill (cheap) filled with lava rocks and houseplants at the top. The pump for the tank pumps water through a hose that goes to the bottom of the vase. I also have a an air pump hooked up to an airstone at the bottom of the vase to help the roots get extra O2 since its not a flood and drain system...so far I have great results. Crystal clear water, healthy fish, no maintance needed on filters (running for three months now) and good water parameters. These filters have been amazingly efficient for me. Check out all the post called "aquaponics updates" on <a target="_self" href="https://bbrunches.wordpress.com/">my blog</a> to see pics and videos. I use glass vases because I like it pretty, but you can use any container. The purpose of the plants is to absorb nitrates as the end product of the nitrogen cycle. So far ficus, pothos, philodenron, and spider plants work the best. If you decide to go with this and have any questions on build, just let me know. Good luck! Ron Thompson told me about hy…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-12-20:4778851:Comment:297982010-12-20T22:16:44.000ZDavid Harthttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DavidHart
<p>Ron Thompson told me about hypnotic hydroponics. They have great prices on diaphram air pumps....</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://hypnotichydroponics.com/commercialairpumpwith12outlets110ltperminute-2.aspx">http://hypnotichydroponics.com/commercialairpumpwith12outlets110ltp...</a></p>
<p>They do have 3 sizes.</p>
<p>I bought 2 of them, and they came pretty quick.</p>
<p>Ron Thompson told me about hypnotic hydroponics. They have great prices on diaphram air pumps....</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://hypnotichydroponics.com/commercialairpumpwith12outlets110ltperminute-2.aspx">http://hypnotichydroponics.com/commercialairpumpwith12outlets110ltp...</a></p>
<p>They do have 3 sizes.</p>
<p>I bought 2 of them, and they came pretty quick.</p> I agree with David Hart, get…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-12-20:4778851:Comment:297952010-12-20T21:46:15.000ZDavid Nabonghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DavidNabong
<p>I agree with David Hart, get a decent air pump and several sponge filters, especially if you will have a fry only tank. check out this link:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jehmco.com/">http://www.jehmco.com/</a> for the sponge filters</p>
<p>and see if you can find a high volume diaphragm air pump from a hydroponics supply:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.altgarden.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=472">http://www.altgarden.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=472</a></p>
<p>or…</p>
<p></p>
<p>I agree with David Hart, get a decent air pump and several sponge filters, especially if you will have a fry only tank. check out this link:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jehmco.com/">http://www.jehmco.com/</a> for the sponge filters</p>
<p>and see if you can find a high volume diaphragm air pump from a hydroponics supply:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.altgarden.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=472">http://www.altgarden.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=472</a></p>
<p>or</p>
<p><a href="http://biggrowhydro.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=283&sort=20a&filter_id=26&page=2">http://biggrowhydro.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=283&sort=20a&filter_id=26&page=2</a></p>
<p>Linear piston air pumps air better, but much more expensive. Also a bunch of airstones is never a bad idea.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3882/Air-Diffusers-in-Quantity">http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3882/Air-Diffusers-in-Quantity</a></p> If you can't afford to buy a…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-12-20:4778851:Comment:297922010-12-20T21:08:27.000ZRyan Chattersonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Ryan
If you can't afford to buy a biofilter, you could make it out of a trash can. Put a large airstone in the bottom and try to get the media to tumble slowly. More contact, better filtration.<br />
<br />
Easy rule of thumb- 5.4ft^2 of media surface area per pound of fish(with no additional biofiltration)<br />
<br />
For 10# fish, you want at least<br />
54ft^2 of media<br />
<br />
For 6003's fish, you want at least 3'240 ft^2 of media surface area.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
Surface area for..<br />
1" bioball- 160ft^2 per cubic foot of media<br />
1 1/2" bioball-…
If you can't afford to buy a biofilter, you could make it out of a trash can. Put a large airstone in the bottom and try to get the media to tumble slowly. More contact, better filtration.<br />
<br />
Easy rule of thumb- 5.4ft^2 of media surface area per pound of fish(with no additional biofiltration)<br />
<br />
For 10# fish, you want at least<br />
54ft^2 of media<br />
<br />
For 6003's fish, you want at least 3'240 ft^2 of media surface area.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
Surface area for..<br />
1" bioball- 160ft^2 per cubic foot of media<br />
1 1/2" bioball- 98ft^2 per cubic foot of media<br />
Kaldness media- 259ft^2 per cubic foot of media<br />
Pvc ribbon- 250ft^2 per cubic foot of media<br />
<br />
Find the media you want to use, locate the filtration capacity(Usually listed in square feet of filtration obtained per cubic foot of media)and multiply it out. If you are using pvc ribbon for media,<br />
10# fish = 10 x 5.4=54ft^2. 54/250=0.22 cubic feet of media<br />
600# fish = 600 x 5.4=3240ft^2. 3240/250=12.96 cubic feet of media<br />
<br />
Hope this helps and good luck!