[Worldwide Koi Club] Ammonia problem
The Ultima series of pressurized filters is an outstanding biofilter system. The Ultra Bio-Tube (Plastic bio do-dads) the Ultima filters uses is specifically made with of a material that has very high surface area for the bacteria to colonize. The media is designed for high flow rates with low head loss, is designed to protect the bacteria colonies during back flushing, and is made with a very high biofilm surface area (1 cu ft of Bio-Tube media has a surface area of 750 sq ft for bacteria to colonize).
The media inside an Ultima II should never be replaced with silica or any other kind of sand. Sand filters similar to those use in swimming pools are NOT meant to be biofilters. Their sole purpose is to scrub the swimming pools water clean of all suspended particulates. They will do an excellent job at putting out crystal clear water, …. BUT crystal clear water doesn’t mean it’s good water for fish to live in. The BIG problem with using sand and/or rocks of any kind is their weight and the tremendous amount of excess work required to really clean them properly after it’s been in use for some time.
If you want to use sand in your filter system (I wouldn’t), use it as a secondary part of your mechanical filter. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on a vortex settlement chamber with filter brushes to clean a majority of the suspended particulates in the water. Don ikeepkoi
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Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
