Bio Filter Media Substitute - Opinion Please

[Koidaddy]

My sister runs a lab here in Quebec where they test milk. The milk arrives at the lab in these 4" x 1" plastic vials - After the milk has been tested, vials are then bagged and dumped @ the local community recycling bin.... thousands of vials weekly!

A light bulb went off in my head last night, perhaps I could use them (once washed) in my bio filters, to which I will also be adding air - I think they would work out pretty well - What do you think?

PS: If all works out, I can supply my good friends with endless amounts - Not prewashed of course! :lol:

KD

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSC_3607.jpg

[Jackie Ramo]

Although anything can be biomedia these seem large for a small amount of bio. What makes bioballs etc good media is all the little areas that can be covered per square inch of size. Also since they are containers they will hold the yuck too well and be hard to clean.

My 2 cents. sorry.

[Koidaddy]

Glammy, Thanks for your two cents!

I've already invested 3 hours removing lids and rinsing :crybaby: - Tomorrow I plan on throwing them in the washing machine with a trace amount of bleach to disinfect... Figure it'll take around 5 loads! I have enough for my two 60 gallon bio's, to which I am adding air stones to each for added movement and bio growth. Also, I purchased an "Answer 325" pre filter that's been sitting in its box for about 18 months which will be installed in my new 100 gallon settling chamber... so by the time the water reaches these bios, water should be more or less yuck free - Any build up on vials should be the good stuff, and I'm installing gate valves for flushing too :) Most important thing for me right now is that they didn't cost much except my time. :)

Should of had you here today as you are The Chief Bottle Washer! :lol:

I'll keep you posted as to how they work!
KD
:-)

[Jackie Ramo]

since you have time, punch a hole in the bottom of each one to let the gunk out easily and yes, there will be gunk at some point. :frisbee:

Be sure to put the lids in as well as the containers. Actually I think the lids are the best part of your idea.

[Marg]

How about cutting the bottoms off so there wouodn't be a place to trap stuff?
That way, washing later would be easier. Just a thought.
Marg

[Koidaddy]

Jackie,

Unfortunately the lids have a very stick bar code label on them which is used for scanning during the testing phase - I opted to cut them off instead of keeping them on with possible side effects - Was going to soak them in hot water to remove label, but was so wiped after cutting decided to throw them in my recycling bin... there they shall stay! :lol:

Marg,
I debated whether or not to cut off bottoms, but I have well over 1000, could be 2000.... that's a lot of choppin' :grin: We'll see how I feel after putting them through the washer.

KD
:)

[Koidaddy]

The lengths we will go to for our fish ! :lol:

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSC_3610.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSC_3611.jpg

[Jackie Ramo]

Time will tell how smart it is. Free usually means lots of work :yup:

[Koidaddy]

Time will tell how smart it is. Free usually means lots of work :yup:

I'm going to remain an optimist! Anyway free works for me, I have more time on my hands than money... and besides, it keeps me out of trouble!

KD
xox :scratch:

[Koidaddy]

From: http://www.praqua.com/pdf/Jul-Ag08BiofilterMediaReview.pdf

"There are two kinds of nitrifying bacteria that grow in a
biofilter: Nitrosommonas bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite,
and then Nitrobacter convert nitrite to nitrate. These naturally
occurring bacteria grow relatively quickly and will be washed
out of an intensive aquaculture system unless they have a fixed
surface to attach themselves to. These helpful bacteria will
continue to live and do their job as long as they have a proper
environment in which to live – biofilter media or packing.
There are many different types of media on the market
which make choosing the correct type for your application more
difficult; not all biofiltration media are created equal.
Aquaculturists are very creative when it comes to media.
Almost anything goes, shag rug, plastic hair curlers, mop heads,
gravel…the list goes on. Some have worked better than others
and a lot of research has gone into trying to create the best. It
will help to know some of the characteristics to look for in an
effective media. Here is part of a list created by Matt Smith of
LS Enterprises:• Large specific surface area – the effective area for biological
growth in a given volume. The common units you will find
when specifying media is m2/m3 or ft2/ft3.
• High void fraction – [B]the percentage of open space or
volume in the packing i.e. the space not occupied by the
packing itself. Higher is better."

[Koidaddy]

on my 6th machine load... think I'll need a 7th!

:-)

[clm]

I would want to at least drill holes in the sides and bottoms. That's a lot of drilling. Something for you to do the next rainy day. :HAHA:

Cindy

[Koidaddy]

Cindy, it was bad enough snipping off the tops... Drilling in holes would send me to the loony bin! My sister told be each bag had 500 pcs in it - I had 5 bags, so that's 2500 vials...... No thanks! :lol:

KD
:censored:

[philly]

Since your sister is supplying the vials tell her to send them to you drilled. !rofl

[Jackie Ramo]

Do you have it set up and running KD?

[Koidaddy]

Do you have it set up and running KD?


No, but almost. I had to order some drill parts in order to make new holes on the plastic drums, so the parts are not coming for about a week or so, but still have plenty to do. I'm 95% done digging and burying my new lines, just need to add my bulkhead to the pond side wall and then finalize all the connections through the pump house, 4 filters and my new flush line / garden sprinkler! Always a bigger job than you anticipate, not to mention the expense! Hate to tell you what I've spent on plumbing fixtures alone... Sh-it it's only friggin plastic, not gold!! Thank goodness HD has a special on now (4th-12th) that you don't pay for one year if over $299.

KD
:grin:

[philly]

Don't feel bad I spent over 2G's on my valves and piping so you're not alone. :yup:

[Koidaddy]

Don't feel bad I spent over 2G's on my valves and piping so you're not alone. :yup:

Yikes!! I'm not as bad, but close to a thousand beaners!

$2000 - bucks... that's a heck of a lot of valves... Must have valves on your koi @ that price! :phfft:

KD
:crybaby:

[Jackie Ramo]

Phil, I can't afford you to do my plumbing :lol:

[Peg]

All DIY projects seem to cost more and take more time then you plan, mostly the plumbing. Had to modify my skimmer didn't like the way it was drawing in the water. Good thing all I had to do was cut out a few plastic pieces to make room for the float door to come up more. Just took my time.

[philly]

Yikes!! I'm not as bad, but close to a thousand beaners!
$2000 - bucks... that's a heck of a lot of valves... Must have valves on your koi @ that price! :phfft: KD :crybaby:

KD, this hobby is not cheap, there is (1) 2" (8) 1 1/2" Ball Valves (1) 3" (1) 2" (5) 1 1/2" Gate Valves (1) 2" (1) 1 1/2" One-way Valves not to mention elbows, tees, Y's, joiners, reducers, straight pipes 1 1/2" to 2" and Tiger Flex Hoses in my filter house. You have an idea about reducing the pipe sizes. :HAHA: