Biological Bead Filter | Best For Large Koi & Goldfish Ponds

GC Tek Aquabead Koi Pond FilterBiological Bead Filters Are Best For Koi Ponds

A biological bead filter, also known as a bead filter, fluidized bed biofilter or fluidized bed filter is one of the best biological filters for use in large koi and goldfish ponds where there lots of large fish and and the levels of ammonia and nitrite are high. A bead filter's biological chamber is a constantly swirling mass of water and biological beads. The violent thrashing together of fresh water, oxygen, beads and ammonia (NH3) ensures that ammonia and nitrite is quickly and efficiently converted to nitrate. The biological filter chamber is host to in excess of 500,000 beads per cubic foot of filter space. This extremely high number of biological beads results in a very large SSA (specific surface area) on which beneficial bacteria colonize. The beneficial bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) are responsible for the conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then into nitrates, through the 'Nitrogen Cycle'. The higher the SSA, the higher the number of beneficial bacteria, resulting in quicker and more efficient conversion of potentially lethal ammonia and nitrite into nitrate.

biological bead filter Conversion rates

On average the conversion rate of ammonia to nitrate is as follows: 1 cubic foot of beads converts the ammonia released from 1 lb of 35% protein fish food daily. i.e. 100lbs of fish requires 1 cubic foot of beads to convert the ammonia produced by the koi and gold fish.

The extreme efficiency and work rate of bead filtration systems results in filter solids adhering to the biofilm of the bead biomedia. Over a period of time this reduces the ability of the biological bead filter to effectively oxidize ammonia. To combat this problem the majority of bead filters are fitted with a backwashing mechanism that allows you to clear out the solid waste particles.

As with most things in life a Biological Bead Filter does have a downfall ... The vigorous activity of the biological filtration taking place will on occasion cause the tiny beads to break and block what are known as laterals within the bead filter (certain models include floating beads to reduce this problem). When selecting the right model be careful to ensure that the particular model allows easy access to the biological chamber, so that you can remove the broken beads ... The biological bead filter models below are all high quality, industry leading biofiltration systems designed to make koi keeping enjoyable and as hassle free as possible.

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