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I saw a piece of BH media once, but have never owned one.
James, your observations make me want to stick with my un-proven, un-tested theory about how the BS system works. I think that the high flow pounding on the media and abundant aeration simply does a good job of turning particulate organic matter (POM) into dissolved organic matter (DOM). DOM is sort of like DOC, except it includes the other nutrients - notably nitrogenous species. The DOM is removed from the system via the required water exchange. I don't recall the number, but they call for a fairly high water exchange rate.
So, the difference in a BS system and a more "conventional" koi reactor is that "conventional" systems seek to accumulate POM where it can be removed in a concentrated form. Examples include dumping the sludge from the bottom of a vortex, backflushing a bead filter or static Kaldness, etc. BS systems, on the other hand, seek to convert POM to DOM and remove it in a dilute form with the water exchange.
Maybe there is a tree-hugger streak in me, but I like to see filtration systems evolve towards technology which uses less water (for exchange) and less energy input. In this respect, BS systems are a step backward. I do not argue with reports that they work really well, but they seem to require more pumping energy (for the high flow and elevated head) and more water exchange.
-steve h opkins
P.S. What goes into the pond must come back out of the pond.
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