IS it possible to have too much bio media?

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DB junkie

DB junkie

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When do you know when you are just wasting money by adding more bio-media? IS there any ill effects of having too much? Or is bio media one of those things where the more you have the better off you are?? Was contemplating adding more to my pond but IF I was a guessing person I'de say I probobly need more of a bio load before I even think about needing more media...... THANKS in advance to any insight provided......
Pond is roughly 1500 gallons. Bio towers are almost full and measure 12 x 24 x 36. Roughly 1500 pot scrubbies and close to 20 gallons of bio balls. Bio load is 4 rays rough average of 12 in across/ ray. 1 7in silver dat and 1 12 in Payara.
 
I think the only way to know if you have enough Bio Media is through checking the water parameters. If you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrates then you have enough. The only good thing about having more bio media is when you add more fish, there's media there for the bacteria to grow. If you have just enough, you will go over and the bacteria will not be able to keep up.
 
You mean NitrIte 0? Yes ammo and nitrite are 0.
 
Yes, the proof is in the test results. However, having extra is for those 'what if' situations. The fish will grow and then produce more waste; you will need it then. If a fish dies in an unseen place, the rotting carcase will be an ammonia factory. You will really appreciate extra media then. When plants and algae die, they also contribute to the nitrogen cycle.
 
So there is absolutly NO ill effects of having too much........ In this case it sounds as though too much is a great thing.
 
With proper mechanical filtration, the only reason to clean the bio-media is to remove dead bacteria occasionally. The bio-media does not need any detritus/mum or other particulate matter to function (actually it's a detriment as it covers the bacteria). The bacteria receives all it's nutrients from what is dissolved in the water.

The ill effect is have so much media that the flows over too much, thinning the nutrient stream and bing on the verge of instability. Plus allowing for the possibility of water channeling (not Shirley's kind) past the major part of the bacteria (as bacteria grow on the bio-media they create resistance to flow, hence the channeling).

And remember, with having very large nutrient generators, if you loose one a good deal of bacteria are going to die off if it's not replaced quickly and a ammonia spike (mini cycle) if you wait to long and then replace it.

The guys are right, let the testing speak for the filter's performance.

Go large on the mechanical and you can go +30% on the bio...Just don't use it as an excuse to overstock ;).

It's a good thing this is science and not magic, 'cause I think it would be to hard to pull a fish out of a hat :D.

Dr Joe

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Dr Joe;2075258; said:
It's a good thing this is science and not magic, 'cause I think it would be to hard to pull a fish out of a hat :D..
Click to expand...

with this bunch of guys/gals
that would be one *monster* of a hat

lol !
 
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