Bakki Shower/Bacteria House vs Conventional Submerged Filtration System.

[junglegeorge12]

So you found the culprit for the nitrate. Now if you can treat the incoming water you can get the pond to go down as well.

I also like the idea of two systems for my previously stated reasons. I also agree with you in terms of having a submerged filter, settlement, vortex or seive for fines removal as being a better second filter or polisher than another shower. I opted for a vortex and seive that I can also put some K1 in if I want to. I use it to keep some lava rock matured 'just in case' also.

I was just thinking out loud if you want two filter systems, why not make the second one a shower that can handle a secondary job of removing nitrates from your source water. Are you going to try to do something about the source water or is the level of nitrates acceptable to you?

[junglegeorge12]

Also, how many tons of water will your submerged filters hold, and will the hydroponics be separated or left inline? They may be a source of nitrate as well.

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 So there is a silver lining on the ash cloud then. That's good news. What about allergic reactions in the koi or their skin from initial contact? Any concerns there or can we hum kumbaya? I hope we can hum.

Hum, but do it through a hankie I would think the biggest issues would be ph instability and abrasive action from the ash as it is generally finely powdered glass that tries to set like concrete when wet.

[dtbh]

Hi George, I will not do anything to the source nitrates for the moment as I am in the midst of the comparison. Moreover at this level I don't expect it to cause any problems to my kois.

Eventually all, except the in-ground filter connected to my bottom drain, will be by-passed.

My Hanna ORP (Roger's) meter is giving me very erratic readings. I am unable to even calibrate it with the calibration solution. I understand a low DOC (dissolved organic carbon) should register a high ORP. Looking at the rapid dissipation of bubbles from the uniring I am inclined to conclude that the ORP (and DOC) is better (>320) with the BS/BH in place as compared with what I used to have with my previous conventional filtration system. What a bad time to have a faulty ORP meter. Sigh...

[junglegeorge12]

lol- yeah equipment always fais at the penultimate moment, that is why the DOD has theri 'what if' strategy. Always have a backup and a backup backup. Then it always seems to get giong again just in time too. Hopefully you will get aw orking one before you eliminate any filters so you can track the progressive changes as you switch over.

[dtbh]

I took the ORP meter to the local Hanna Instrument representative and they confirmed that the sensor is faulty. To replace it wil cost about the same as a new meter.

I am now in a dilemma. Buying a new meter which will be redundant after this experiment doesn't sound too appealing. Is there an alternative?

Your early replies will be a great help as I am ready to by-pass my conventional filters.

Thanks,

dtbh

[junglegeorge12]

What a turrible dilemna, you can always drain the ponds and dance around gleefully on the pile of money you save. Or you can ask the largest and wisest koi in your pond what the ORP is. Or you can send off a sample to a lab to test it for you (I think they charge $20-$25.)Or we can let it slide this time. A new sensor costs the same as a new meter? What manufacturer was that so I make sure I never buy that garbage myself?

[Carloskoi]

most of the hobbiest meters need to have the probe replaced once a year anyway.

did they not cover it because it was out of warranty?

carl

[junglegeorge12]

So what did you ever decide to do about the meter and how is the changeover going?

I think the interested parties should look at the views numbers on the top of the lists before making any permanent advertising decisions. Might be worth a mention to your friends schild. WWF. Mfm Back to the subject.

What happened dtbh? I would like to know how everything is doing now.

[dtbh]

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 So what did you ever decide to do about the meter and how is the changeover going? I think the interested parties should look at the views numbers on the top of the lists before making any permanent advertising decisions. Might be worth a mention to your friends schild. WWF. Mfm Back to the subject. What happened dtbh? I would like to know how everything is doing now.

I have been very busy lately. Our kois from Japan arrived the Friday before last and they are all being quarantined at my place.

I have decided to buy a new ORP meter from another company which cost about the same. This meter is more user-friendly esp in the calibration aspect. I will be taking delivery of the meter in a few days.

The experiment is ripe for the next phase ie by-passing my conventional filters in stages. The water quality, eventhough not shown by the objective parameters (still status quo), is at a condition that I have not seen often even with 150% filter size. Even after rainstorms. It is very difficult to describe this condition but there seem to be a life to it. With a filter provision of near 300% presently I can only expect good things. Is it because of the big filter? Is it because of the addition of a wet-dry system? Or is it because of the BH? Well, we will see what happens when my conventional filters are being by-passed.

dtbh