Bacteria house

[JasPR]

Bacteria house has been in operation in western ponds for a number of years now. My filter is going on three years old at this point. One odd observation, whether in the old Momotaro green house, in the UK, California or New Jersey is that this material has the tendency to cultivate moss growth over time? I have not observed this effect with any other media I have used. We know that BH is made of silica base and is basically ceramic in the finished product. It is also porous. But why does it attract moss growth? Any theories? JR

[jnorth]

You mean like moss that grows on trees? My lava rock gets moss like algae on it? I never really paid much attention to what it actually is. I just swapped out one of my 3 trays tray of lava rock for a tray of BH. I'll let you know if the same stuff starts growing on it.

[JasPR]

yep, like the moss that grows in the shady part of the yard. I actually took some from Sakai's place a while back and planted some in my shade garden. Now I'm thinking I will transplant it to the Bakki shower for mass cultivation?

I think I have a shot of the moss on Momotaro's system? Here---

[dick benbow]

But same results on my 3 year old "original" BH material here in the overcast, grey of winter (doesn't miss a beat)

[KDSD]

Any collation to moss-bacteria symbiosis? Maybe close relationship between organisms in which the outcome for each is highly dependent upon the other. I use my reef tank as an example, Ocellaris clown fish and a Ritteri anemonones.

Maybe way off base here...................

[koiczar]

JR

My waterfall has that exact same mossy growth. It is interesting in that it grows only on the left half. It's all in shade all year long and the only thing, now that YOU mention it, is that there are different types of rocks on both sides. The left has a type of flagstone pieces. They are a tan in color and have some of that metallic looking grayish shiny flecks in it. The other side has a different type of rock, mostly tumbled water washed stone. I wonder if the mineral content being different has any effect on this phenomena?

Mike

[aquitori]

I have seen moss grow in one of the tanks at the dealers place by my house and it always seems to grow back after he cleans out the tank every year. I have also seen the moss grow in my friends DIY shower system and he is using probably 20% BH and 80% bio-balls and brushes....

[moikoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar JR My waterfall has that exact same mossy growth. It is interesting in that it grows only on the left half. It's all in shade all year long and the only thing, now that YOU mention it, is that there are different types of rocks on both sides. The left has a type of flagstone pieces. They are a tan in color and have some of that metallic looking grayish shiny flecks in it. The other side has a different type of rock, mostly tumbled water washed stone. I wonder if the mineral content being different has any effect on this phenomena? Mike

Mike
here's a pix of my waterfall......
the moss only grows on the left side where morning sunlight hits, nothing on the right side b/c of no sunlights??, then i get moss popping up on concrete walkways where no sunlight hits

[farne230]

Now that you mention it I have one rock, along the base of waterfall (bottom) east facing, shaded by plants that accumulated a very hardy thick short moss, almost crystalline in appears, dark green. I too use 200kg of BH. My BS also house hundreds of mosquito larva, they shad their skeletons along the open holes in trays.
Bob

[gosanke john]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR Bacteria house has been in operation in western ponds for a number of years now. My filter is going on three years old at this point. One odd observation, whether in the old Momotaro green house, in the UK, California or New Jersey is that this material has the tendency to cultivate moss growth over time? I have not observed this effect with any other media I have used. We know that BH is made of silica base and is basically ceramic in the finished product. It is also porous. But why does it attract moss growth? Any theories? JR

Jim, forgive me if I wondering off thread just a bit, But I have been re- reading some of the long bakki threads from over the last few years and all the ones I am aware of seem to end without conclusion as to the bacteria house claims being resolved. I always try to read your posts as I respect your opinion and have learned much from your writtings. I know early on you had reservations about the claims of the bacteria house being able to reduce disolved organics. Please tell me if you would, what you have learned from your experience with the bakki shower. In particular im interested in your views about the bakki as a stand alone system without settlement, Can lava rock work just as well? Is the bakki special, or just providing the bennifits one might expect from any good tricle system. Do you still use your old tricle system in conjunction with your bakki? a curious mind wants to know!

regards,

john stevens