Biological Filtration Explained | Ask The Aquaponics God

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

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[@davidpetersen7482]

Finally a video with a great visual display, valuable information, and actual science being put into it! Very easy to follow, and as someone starting out it gave me a great insight to the "why's and how's" of the system. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@Unbelievable47]

I been watching your vids for a day & while im no pro & no experience yet, you have made it very easy for me to grasp & innerstand the concept of Aquaponics. Thank you brother!

[@servep3695]

You are very clear, professional and spot on. Thank you for your contribution!!

[@joek4377]

I learn a lot from watching your videos! Nice work explaining everything.

[@chevy1514]

Very nice video. Sometimes its hard to explain everything going on in an aquaponics system. This video really breaks it down nicely. Once again great video.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks for the support Koolers!

[@1991vishesh]

Hey, your videos are very detailed and informative. I'm in a process to setup a small commercial level aquaponic system, i guess I've figured out the basics, but for biofiltration, does the bacteria grow on its own or do we have to introduce initially?

[@mikerowe3776]

Awesome! Anyway you could follow up with how to add bacteria to the system? Or does that happen naturally? Also is the bio filter also used to remove large to small particulates? If you use a growing medium like gravel for the bacteria growth how do you manage waste particles?

[@walidben9022]

great video man , well explained and elaborated , i really thank you for the reply and the time to make this video , much appreciated

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Glad to help out Walid. Thanks!

[@walidben9022]

hi do you have the link to that UVI research please???

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

We don't have a website link for it. We have the actual book. It's called Recirculating Aquaculture. It's a pricey book and may or may not be worth the price if you're looking to purchase it for just that reference.

[@henrytan8696]

Excellent! Thanks for clearing the air and the hard knocks of live operations. Biological filters solve my problem of handling ammonia in my planned 30,000 catfish farm. Diluting with fresh water is not my preference. Alternatively, I will need a huge DWC system to handle the load, which poses space and budget challenge. Now, I can consider a combination of a smaller DWC, dutch bucket and bigger bio filter. Thanks again for your brilliant teaching.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks for the feedback Henry!

[@jdray]

I wish I could "thumbs up" this video several times. Super helpful. Thanks.

[@myoll6575]

I want to know if anyone is using "Fresh Water Mussels" in their system to filter water would seem a very natural thing to be doing?? >> Are there any of you doing this? >> How successful is it? >> What if any problems could occur by introducing Mussles. >> What are the best filter-feeding animals we could use in our Aquaponics systems.

[@erick6102]

Good job dude, this video could be used in schools to explain the biology of aquariums and aquaponics systems.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks Eric!

[@sourabh182003]

Can you explain how much surface area is required to convert how much ammonia? Thanks

[@henrid6881]

Very good expo , took me a while to get this by myself Guys listen to the video and redraw the setup , spread the knowledge ! Thumbs up 👍

[@daviddonaldson8161]

Thanks for this video, I like the way you explain it. A complex set of conditions clearly described. Great communication.

[@Zantoron]

WOW..... this worth money!!!! best explaining video ever!

[@luclloyd7809]

I wonder if how much surface area is needed for this bacteria to convert the by products of a single fish, like maybe a ratio. 10 meters2 (squared) of surfae area for every fish (just an example)

[@BrokenEyes00]

Is there a difference in quality of the water between a biofilter that is outside of the fish tank and part of the flow before the plants and a gravel biofilter that is in the tank?

[@darrylsheenan6745]

Excellent bloke, well explained, I got it thank you . Keep up the good work.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thank you sir!

[@tomnguyen2209]

Thanks for a great detailed analysis of how important bio system works. Great video. Thanks.

[@jeffstreeter3037]

Does the ammonia in the tank disperse evenly throughout the tank or does the concentration tend to pool near the top or bottom?

[@gaijinguide9017]

Awesome video! Was wondering this for a while!

[@chrissysrandomness7250]

Thank you for explaining this. Your presentation is clear and understandable. Highly appreciated.

[@johnfahariya3866]

Thank you very much for this educating video. I will be glad if you can tell me how to get these biological bacteria (nitrifying bacteria).

[@deviprasadalapati2184]

Excellent Job in explaining. Thank you very much. All the best for you.

[@myrien0563]

hi... i really interesting with your explanation about aquaponic. according to this video, dwc doesn' need a biofilter. so, fish tank pipe directly to the dwc?, because i would like to build commercial aquaponic using dwc system.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

You still need to have a solids removal filter to filter the waste before it enter the into DWC.

[@stefanuscahyadi4803]

Can you use bio filter on your sump tank??? Is there any adverse effects of putting biofilters on your sump tank???

[@sultanbintouq3205]

Thank you I really enjoy and learn from your channel. I have a deep water system, i have 12 beds with size 1.7*13 m. I have 4 fish tanks with size( 7.5 qm ) each . Do you think that my tanks are enough to grow the beds plants that i have. And what is the proper size of bio filter (i have a plastic filter) that can help in breaking the ammonium.

[@texasvettech]

Love the way you teach man!

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks!

[@clelandstephen4181]

On the money explanation, much appreciated.

[@bencehriagyel7099]

Hej I would like to ask that do i need a mrchanical and biological filter for.my system if I use a media based system? I want to build my own system and I would likr to know more.

[@Swizzle0011]

Dude... I'm trying not to be a biscuit headed aquaponist. Through research I found my answer. But! I think you should do a video on how to determine BSA. Great channel btw👍

[@nevinschuring334]

Great content. Where did you obtain the majority of your research?

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Mostly from reading books and independent study.

[@birdmannn88]

I have a biological filter but during the winter it seems to not work as well. I m looking at temperatures between 50 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. During winter inwant to switch to a chemical or mechanical method. Do u have any suggestions.

[@henrid6881]

You could heat the water above 28 degrees Celsius, Or find other special bacteria species living in earth in the field when its cold during winter, next to a water creak for example . Since some bacterias are more efficient in cold weather it could be adapted to a decrease in temperature . Pump more air and clean the media more often since the old beneficial bacteria is less efficient You could try to decrease the pH There is also the Another option but its more experimental is going with anamox bacteria that are more efficient at decomposing organic material but are slower to grow and require more heat ( more delicate). So if I had the place I would use and extra aerated heated tank with growing media to recuperate the extra water for treatment and pump it back to your grow beds. Hence it would be treating by batch

[@jannatinkarlen8702]

how to measure biofilter requirement? do nitrifyng bacteria added by human or occur naturally?

[@ericlind6581]

So you really want water conditions where ammonia is largely converted to ammonium. PH7 and 68 degree seems to work but that is to cold for most tropical fish. Does this mean that cold water fish are "hardier" because it can survive in conditions whereby ammonia is largely neutralized to ammonium?

[@arunantony6325]

Is aeration required in biological filter? How much?

[@badmy004]

Yes it does to perform oxidation. Not an active aeration like a fish tank but a good well ventilation

[@harrymrtuluhungwa4717]

Great stuff.... Please please show us how to build a simple biofilter...

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks Harry. We may add that video to our to do list.

[@harrymrtuluhungwa4717]

Thanks. I hope that will include the clarifier too..

[@randymoonsammy1910]

Hello, please make a video on removing solid waste from intensive commercial aquaculture tanks. If there is a ready made filtration system on the market, please show us. Thank you. I am looking out for it.

[@savadi91]

Hi.do you think I can grow on top of my apartment?and could you please make a video explaining AC controls?

[@somebody5197]

thank you very much for your very intelligent explication...could you please say what kind of bacteria you use and where to get them? or are they in the air like other kinds of bacteria? thank you

[@mattdawson7055]

They will naturally form when ammonia is added to the system. Look up fishless cycling or cycling with fish

[@dave6017]

where does the bacteria come from? do I have to get it somewhere?

[@khalilsoubra9649]

It is in the air in the water in the food.... it surrounds us. It just needs the proper environment to flourish: This is why you have to CYCLE your new aquarium for some time ( 1 to 3 weeks) before you introduce any fish, you are creating the proper environment to help the bacteria multiply and transform Ammonia into nitrate. Otherwise your new healthy fish will suffer and ultimately would die.

[@bullitlbc]

Great video! How long does the nitrite cycle last? I'm in that stage right now. Where my Ammonia is at 0ppm but my nitrites keep spiking like crazy

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

In an optimal situation it should take approximately 28 days for nitrite oxidizing bacteria to completely establish. This is assuming your have water temperatures above 77F, pH of 7 and above, and sufficient biological surface area in your filter. If any of these parameters are too low then the process will take longer.

[@fakhruddinmalura]

What is the source of these bacteria which converts ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. Kindly explain. Thanks

[@henrid6881]

They are everywhere probably some are in you mouth too , joke Probably on you hands and gut. They are present the environment in general. Like mushroom spores, if the environment is right they thrive. Some bacteria are able to withstand temperatures of -80 to 250 degC and go in hibernation for years on hand with a 0.1% metabolitic cost . So they are very hardy. Depending of your location or time of year, it would be possible to find different geniuses - DNA / species in the soil adapted to a specific environment. Usually microbiologist talk about a community of microorganisms.

[@dcsubie21]

Great video. Have you made or can u make a video on how to build a bio filter.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Releasing that video tomorrow Joshua.

[@DiegoGozer]

Great work thanks for the effort.

[@andristefanus]

so sir, if i have to clean the bio filter for some reason, does it mean i wipe the entire bacteria colony?

[@justinstrickland9043]

Question... Since the crops themselves act as a biofilter.. If I use a DWC set up with more crops and less fish would I still need a mechanical biofilter?

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Yes, you still need to prevent the solids from accumulating in the DWC area.

[@justinstrickland9043]

The School of Aquaponics okay thanks

[@unknownuser1357]

Can I use a 125gal biofilter on a 80gal air pump?

[@tomasninger7828]

Does anyone know How long can bacteria in an established Bio filter survive when abruptly cut off food ?

[@henrid6881]

The question as a food producer is how long does a community take to be established and that can be measured with your ammonia nitrate conversion rate

[@servep3695]

I wish I watched your videos when I started. Thanks again! After Cycling when and how should I add more fish & plants? Just built 1st system. Lots of fun, Now I'm addicted...Have about 700 Gallon total water. 180 FT, 180 Gallon Sump, 3 Media Beds 2' X 4' X 16"D (Red worms in all), 1 DWC Raft 2' X 8' X 14", 20' of Horizontal pipe, 28' of Vert Towers, 3 Dutch Buckets 5 Gallon. About 60 seedlings & or small plants in DWC Rafts, NFT, Vert Towers, a few larger plants in MBs. about 3 weeks old. (some from seeds and others seedling) Been adding Liquid Seaweed to support plants while little fish feed. Only 2 X 1.5lb Koi fish BUT just got cycled today finally...took about 20-30 days "MAYBE" could have been sooner but water temp fluctuates between 64-74F and was still feeding fish after ammonia at 0. Stopped feed or fed very little for 7 days, put lots of aeration and Salt in about 4 days ago in every water source (lots) vs. only FT and DWC in beginning, ALL water turns over 2 times per hours and "FINALLY Cycled" in about 25-30 days...I had little patience but I'm learning. Added live Bacteria about 3 weeks ago ago and now Water chem nearly perfect (7 PH, 0 Ammonia, .25 Nitrites, 7 Nitrates) Fish stayed healthy through process. Sorry for all details but I'd like to start adding fish and feed SO my question is... Do I add the fish & plants a little at a time or can I add 10-20lbs more of fish now? I'm thinking it may be a back and forth for awhile so as not to change things too rapidly and be back to square 1. Thoughts?? Thank you!!

[@russkinloch5422]

Great Presentation!

[@imran8599]

Gentleman, Can we siphon a bed once in every 2-3 min? What is the ideal number of siphon an hour?

[@henrid6881]

I have heard 5 minutes but you can experiment as long as the roots don't turn brown or rot or the plant roots are healthy wire you should be ok , you can add a sump tank to divert some of the extra water to reduce the flow in grow beds hence increasing retention time. Actually if you controlling the flow rate is not possible in you grow beds you can add more air bubbler inside the bed hence increasing the oxidative activity of the beneficial bacteria. Or a microbubbler the water going out of the filter so that the bacteria have enough air to oxidize the nutrients in the grow beds.

[@mortenbrodersen8664]

Excellent presentation!

[@sureshboganatham1151]

I had a poly house newly errected quarter acre pl give me suggestions how to start Aquponic system

[@walidben9022]

you said that there is no need to use bio filter in DWC , is it true for a commercial level too ???

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Yes, this is true for commercial level. This information is based off of the UVI commercial system. They did research and found that a properly sized DWC can house sufficient nitrifying bacteria to support ammonia loads of up to 3x the recommended feeding rates. Once this research was discovered, they eliminated the separate biological filter to save space and money.

[@walidben9022]

The School of Aquaponics hey man do you have the link to the UVI research ???

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

We don't have a website link for it. We have the actual book. It's called Recirculating Aquaculture. It's a pricey book and may or may not be worth the price if you're looking to purchase it for just that reference.

[@trollforge]

Google: "Recirculating Aquaculture. University Virgin Islands"

[@mr.mohammedturki4967]

thanks a lot but how much media do we need for one fish size 2 KG?

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

It's not so much dependent upon the fish size, but more so the feed input and the ammonia that is produced from that feed. We may do a separate video on this subject, but it's too complex of a formula to explain in the comment section.

[@mr.mohammedturki4967]

The School of Aquaponics ok I wait ur video thanks a lot

[@agiantcub8it542]

Love this break down!

[@DudeRevolution]

I don't get this. I've seen videos of small systems operating without the biofilter....

[@henrid6881]

The plant media is the bio filter that is why it should stay aerated hence the bed and flow method Its explained in the video

[@NoYezzio]

very nice video man, very nice !!!

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks a lot!!!

[@inthemusic0075]

Keep going man your demonstrations really help!@

[@MisteeMerritt]

Very helpful.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Glad to help sis!

[@JA_HADA]

Awesome video

[@ambrenggakgak2574]

where do u get those bacteria?

[@Rattlerjake1]

The bacteria are already in the water and air and will increase in number to match the surface area and ammonium/nitrite available. It is the reason that you need to establish your system ahead of time and "season" it to get the bacterial colonies going.

[@donaldlancaster89]

Very nice video, Thanks

[@rusticoglennrivero6818]

thank you for the information

[@boomshine7]

very nice explanation

[@castleofcostamesa8291]

Thank you! So interesting!

[@spotfinder725]

Thank you

[@derejewolde2843]

thank you it helps me a lot

[@zerommprojects]

Very informative

[@eLicky]

Thanks mate.

[@Razalipuchong]

perfect information

[@dedenistian4165]

its awesome thanks for the education

[@charlesflorence7905]

good intelligent information. highly appreciated by myself and others aswell I'm sure.

[@TheSchoolofAquaponics]

Thanks a lot Charles. I appreciate the support!

[@RAMSHACKLE28]

thank you! very helpful!

[@sankarkayamkulam]

well. good or grate explanation. ya grater explanation .good work no no. grate work. thank you

[@mehadihassansaki6663]

thanks

[@UhYeahWhateverDude]

Word.

[@sikidjaber1073]

thank you so match pro

[@JoseRodriguez-jv2bq]

Good expo

[@ivanwong3273]

Pls upgrade your audio for your videos

[@austemagne2023]

"Aquaponics God"

[@VincentGonzalezVeg]

The Humility is Astoundingly Staggering! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)