| Skipping all the scientific and pseudo-scientific arguments (which are important in theory but sometimes fail in the face of actual practice) I think we have this: it is a fine media but maybe we can get the same or similar results with cheaper materials.
*shrug* -- OK.
When theory is proven then can likely find materials that give better X for Y performance.
In the meantime I think we've got good lessons -- shower filtration is nice, greater turnover through filtration is nice, removal of DOCs is nice. These apply to every media and every system.
So does that make BH media itself special? Not so much. Is the BH media worth the extra $$? Well, this comes down to a value judgement like 'how much are you willing to spend on a fish'... I've tried it, it is nice media, but I'm not converting everything over right now. I think there are better bang for buck options for my pond right now.
For a pond like MikeM's everything else is already top notch and the BH media and trays just makes it better.
Is a Mercedes worth the $$ over a Toyota? That is for you to decide. I think comparing the BH media vs lava rock similar -- they both roughly equivalent things, just one is better overall (degradation, clogging, etc). |