Filter Media Comparison

[bekko]

The best is kaldnes K-1. The most surface for the dollar is recycled bottle caps.

-s te

[koibooi]

In my grow on pond and my quarentine pond I first have settlement, then I have static ABM (Active Bed Media) which looks similar to K1 and acts exactly the same and is half the price. From there I have a trickle filter full of Matala and then a channel returns the water to each pond. I agitate the ABM with air for cleaning it and flush the dirty water it to a sump. My only change is that I want to add a couple of bags of oyster shells on top of the matala in each tower to assist with the PH buffering.

[MCA]

a couple of key points have been hit on above. It is one thing to have the greatest service area per volume (such as with matting). But matting is a royal pain to clean. K1 on the other hand is self cleaning (in fluid bed) and can be in static bed by fluidizing it with air and then dumping the water.

So like most things in life...it is has to be a compromise between cost, space needed, and ease of cleaning. If cost permts....I would go K1 static followed by K1 fluid.

[Sallybet]

Beginner just learning and lurking here with a question - what about Savio Springflo and other similar materials? Anyone using, what kind of results, problems?

[gregbickal]

Don't forget Bickal-Bio Rope

[MCA]

springflo does not have very much surface area per unit of volume compared to most other media. It takes too much of it be considered a great media....compared to matting, beads, K1...etc.

See the presentation at the link below. Make sure to see slide 8.

http://www.atlantakoiclub.org/calend...ilteration.pdf

[schildkoi]

Regardless of the "type" of media itself, the application also comes into play. The same media can react differently when placed in differing applications. As an example, K! in a fluidized system is as MCA states, "self cleaning". On the otherhand, if put in a static chamber, it will clog over time. Jmat and Matala have similar properties as well. When used as a waffled cartridge and heavily airated, they will not clog but when used in full sheets without airation, will clog as well (the fine matala).

Soooooo, without the actual application that the media is to be used in, the recommendations given may, or may not be applicable.

Steve

[Sallybet]

Thanks, MCA - great presentation! Makes so much sense the way it's outlined.

[An Ly]

thanks again everyone for sharing their knowledge on filter media.

MCA thanks for the slide show attachment, a lot of helpful info.

He is planning to go with the Kaldness, after reading the thread.

An

[koiczar]

An

Your friend makes intelligent decisions. Steve is correct also, make sure the media selected will compliment your actual useage planned.

Mike