Biological filter media is any media that can be used to house as much beneficial bacteria as possible. Much desired is absorptive medium for the sole reason it lets a lot of helpful bacteria per square inch. Surface area is key when choosing the correct biological media. So what would be the ideal types of filter for your garden pond?

Absorptive ceramic cylinders

Buy some ceramic cylinders for it is a great biological media hat you can readily add to your aquarium filter. A cylinder goes with an average of 3/8″ x 3/8″. Frequently placed in media bags and put up as the bottom layer in an aquarium filter which is closer to the top. Expect a much better water flow and a remarkable surface area for good bacteria to produce and thrive when you have a ceramic cylinder.

Silicate Bio-Glass

Also identical with ceramic cylinders is the bio-glass. Bio-glass is made of a natural silicate and is in the shape of a hollow cylinder. Most often kept in media bags and kept as the last layer in your aquarium filter closest to the top. Observe how you will have a much nicer water flow when you have a bio-glass, in addition, helpful bacteria grows and thrives too.

Bio-Balls

Specially designed bio-balls fits perfectly into any filter and it can provide a home for those much-desired helpful bacteria habitat. A gallon of bio-balls would have a surface area close to 21.5 square feet. Integrates nicely in canister filters or even if it’s wet or dry.

Quartz Bio Media

The quartz biological spheres comes from natural lava rocks. It lets you have better water flow while at the same time sheltering much-desired good bacteria. The quartz balls should be placed in media bags of the aquarium filter. You can use it in most aquarium filter.

  Bio Media Stars

This biological media is made from polymer and is shaped as a star. The bio stars lets in healthy bacteria to reproduce. Four stars will treat 20 gallons.

Eheim Ehfisubstrat PRO

This filter media is made from sintered glass and gives a generous 19,000 square feet in a gallon. It’s specifically designed to shelter helpful bacteria. Ehfisubstrat can be housed in many different aquarium filters. Can be added to aquarium filter media bags.

Changing Media Filters

You may be thinking about how often you will have to replace biological filter media. Well, you just might not have to! As long as the filter media is in good shape, and you are able to clean it, you should be OK. Most bio-filter media is reusable and only needs cleaning.

Cleansing Bio Filters

When is the time you would have to clean biological media filter? If you notice a great deal of detritus (fish waste and dirt) built up, or your water flow has slowed, you should clean your filter media.

You can cleanse your bio-filter media by directly placing the mechanical filter under running water, but it’s advised that you should not. The right way to wash biological media is in a container of water from your aquarium. When you rinse your biological media out under a sink faucet, the chlorine will kill beneficial bacteria you possess. Undoing the good bacteria would lead to serious issues and possibly creating a mini-cycle. Always wash out bio-filter media in a bucket of aquarium water

Gardens Calgary is a local organization that promotes ecologically friendly ponds

Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes ‎3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142