DIY Bio Filter
I have always used a bio filter as a way to promote a healthy, algae free resevoir. But I learned from Lawrence Brooke that bio filters actually improve the health of the plants too. Essentially, a bio filter is an enviroment that supports an ecosystem of beneficial microbes. If you establish a colony of beneficial microbes, they will eat the bad microbes and algae, they reproduce themselves, and the waste they produce is consumed by the plants.
Yesterday there was a comment posted asking how I made my own bio filter. It’s very simple. You can use just about any bucket, any pump, and if you set it on top of your resevoir, gravity will drain it. The key is creating the right environment within the bucket for the microbes to colonize. The best choice is probably “bio balls” from the aquarium store. I started with ripped up pieces of coco mat, but they got slimy and I had to remember to replace them before they got really gross. With bio balls, they can be cleaned and reused.
To add life to your bio filter, sprinkle the bio balls with SubCulture-B. Then be sure to use FloraBlend in the reservoir. Set up the pump so that it recirculates the reservoir through the bio filter, pumping it in, and then draining it out. It’s simple and very very effective.
Posted: January 27th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from Green Horizon
Time February 2, 2009 at 9:33 pm
In the past I have used a hang-on-back aquarium filter to keep the reservoir stirred up ,oxygenated and clean (filtration like this is good if you are using drip nozzles as it prevents clogging) the bin in one of these would be a great place to put bioballs,just like aquarists do.
Comment from Jonas
Time March 13, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Hey, how do you like this one from your european branch: http://www.eurohydro.com/pdf/instructions/gb/biofiltre.pdf ?
Comment from Jesse Hull
Time August 24, 2009 at 10:55 am
To feed the microbes (especially in the beginning) and encourage the population increase of the beneficials, wouldn’t it be better to use FloraNectar instead of FloraBlend?
Comment from Tiger Lilly
Time August 24, 2009 at 11:07 am
FloraNectar is a great food source for microbes, and – you are correct- it is by some considerations a better choice. Floralicious Plus is also an option. And remember, all these things can be used symbiotically.
Comment from Micro-org
Time February 21, 2011 at 2:16 pm
I have a question for you nft-ers. i am looking to create a organic micro-organism heavy system. from what i hear the fact that humics/fulvics dye roots brown making rot hard to ID, micro-organism food in the nutrient mix can become slimy and anerobic and hoses clog. so…
with the use of a more complex form of this biofilter (from botom to top, 1000 micron screen, sand, pebbles, rocks, bioballs) could i eliminate the above problems to a workable degree.
also using 3/4 inch input lines to eliminate clogging…would that still be necessary to eliminate clogging?
comments?
Comment from budzilla
Time March 15, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Hi,
I was wondering if someone could help me.
I’ve just started using Biosevia and have made up a tank of nutes etc and run a Biofilter in the tank.
I PH adjusted down to 6.2 before I put any BioSevia or BM in. checked again PH 6.2.
I left it for 40 mins came back, PH tested 7.2. I adjusted the tank again, bringing it to 6.2, then 30 mins later same thing happend, PH7.2.
Am I missing something here??
I am using GH Dry PH down, I am hand watering Passive hydro taking nutes form the tank with a jug.
Why is the PH constantly going up when nothing has changed in the tank since PH adjusting?
Really baffled and could really do with some pointers. Sorry if this post is inappropriate to the thread subject, but there really is so little information about using Biosevia on the Internet. I’ve found a few growers online but none doing what I’m doing.
BTW I am Passive feeding in pots of 100% Fytocell, has anyone else had any success with Biosevia and Fytocell?
Comment from c c deville
Time August 19, 2011 at 10:29 am
Wondering what the best way to use a biofilter would be for a dwc setup. Can i just put pumice or another media in a screened bag and leave in my res, or does it have to be outside the res with water constantly flowing throught it. Any help is appreciated
Comment from PennyWize
Time August 22, 2011 at 8:28 am
Hey there. Thanks for the question! You can use any inert medium in a screened bag inside the reservoir. Sub Culture B would be a great product to inoculate the bio filter with. However, you need to make sure you have plenty of oxygen in the res. to keep them alive.
Comment from Barrel Scout
Time October 28, 2011 at 9:53 am
I made my own bio filter and put it on to of my Greentrees reservoir. I was wondering if it is better to have a translucent container as the filter reservoir or a non translucent container. Do the inoculantes like to have a bit of light or do they like darkness?
Comment from ViridisVixen
Time November 2, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Hey Barrel Scout: I’m not sure to what degree it actually matters, but my usual rule of thumb is to consider the natural environment we are trying to imitate. In this instance, despite use in hydroponics, the microbiology we are trying to cultivate naturally occurs and lives underground in soil so I would assume they would prefer the darkness. The difference is likely slight, however. Thanks for the question!
Comment from Red Icculus
Time January 27, 2009 at 4:30 pm
With my NFT systems, I use a plastic scrubbing sponge with loose and thick strands that I found at the dollar store. The gutters drain onto it, so it not only provides a sediment filter, but an oxygen rich environment for beneficial bacteria.