K1 - K3 - K Chips ?

[HEADACHE6]

I was told that each of the above form different "Bugs" in your Bio Chamber ? I have room to add more Bio , but Im wondering if I should stick with adding more K1 or add one or both of the other Bio Media instead ?

Thank's

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by HEADACHE6 I was told that each of the above form different "Bugs" in your Bio Chamber ?

Wonder who might have told you that? Dealer? Hobbyist? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Will be interested to see the experts weigh in on this one.

[HEADACHE6]

[quote=KoiCop;84205]Wonder who might have told you that? Dealer? Hobbyist?

Well , It was a dealer . But the kicker is that he only carries K1 , not the other two . So it's not like he was trying to get me to buy or pay more for a different product .

[schildkoi]

I leave that to JR. It has been reported for years that the dynamics of the bioflim vary based on the type of media used and many subscribed to having multiple medias fot his purpose.

Steve

[HEADACHE6]

I am starting to understand why one would want "Different" types of fiteration (Static , moving bed , TT , Etc.) . But how could/can a different Bio media (being used in the same way & same chamber) attract different Bugs ?

[schildkoi]

and when it comes to this area is dangerous....that its the composition of the media itself, plastic, ceramix, etc that is the attractant for the different forms.

Steve

[RayJordan]

Some things I know some things I don't?

I bought a bag of the biochips media for each of my two DIY moving bed filters using K1. The story of these biochips creating tiny protected zones using the surface tension of water to create mini habitats for micro animals that feed on larger particles suspended in the water seemed to have some merit to me. They are not designed primarily as bacteria media but as mini habitats for tiny organisms that require a quiet zone to thrive. You can go to Evolution Aqua's website at

Koi Pond Filters | Buy Bio Chip | Evolution Aqua Ltd

and read this information and view the microscopic photos for yourself. I can't say that my water quality has changed significantly in the past 16 months after placing these chips in my K1 chambers. However since my fish load has increased maybe this is some incidental proof of benefit?

[MysticKoi]

Right... The bit with the EA media types is actually simple. K1 and K3 are identical in both compostion and purpose (fluidized nitrifying reactor). The only difference being the size of the media (K3 is larger) and the amount of total surface area (K1 has an advantage in this regard). Basically, K3 was engineered for those wishing to convert their existing static media chambers over to a fluidized reactor (K3 is easier to contain than the smaller K1). So, no need to mix these two media variants.

The EA BioChips were designed to perform a different function entirely. The intent being to provide a media type that would allow a protected "quiet zone" for the proliferation of micro filtering animals in a fluidized environment. Really an interesting world filled with a multitude of microscopic critters!

Kind Regards,
Bill

[JasPR]

This is a huge subject. But in a nut shell, it is really the environment provided, more than the media type, that creates the species mix. So after you have the surface area max'ed out to accommodate the microbes that will be cultivated by the nutrient you provide, and the environmental parameters and chacteristics you create, you are pretty much done.
Where the media does count is in how it packs are a total structure and how that in turn, effects the environment you are trying to create. So media that attracts organics or media that packs and channels is a media that will actually change the environment over time- and therefore the species mix.

The rest is really harmless marketing. There were many marketing campaigns that promoted the idea of two tier media that grow both anerobic and aerobic species. This was based on a model of biofilm that is now considered one dimensional in understanding.
As for the little black circular plastic screens- they are from the photography industry and were not originally designed for/as filter media. But they work well as a suspended/dynamic surface anyway. As for The harboring of small critters? Marketing at it's best, I think. We really only want those species that contribute to the biofilm function. After that, large populations of lower forms of life represent a burden to overall BOD and are just other mouths to feed and maintain. Be careful what you wish for- JR

[MysticKoi]

Well, I'm all to aware of the sensitivity you have about "marketing" the hobby. Certainly a fine, yet distinct line, yes?

Quote: We really only want those species that contribute to the biofilm function. After that, large populations of lower forms of life represent a burden to overall BOD and are just other mouths to feed and maintain.

Perhaps you could clarify... are not these small creatures a higher life form? Anyway, I'm certainly open to understand your point, as from what I've read (the marketing blurb) these filter feeding animals actually lower BOD. Why would it be otherwise?

Kind Regards,
Bill