Ok,

I installed this in oct 09. The current pond had this huge water feature and this fell over eitherside into deep pools and each pool overflows into its own seperate stream. the streams and pond had to be relined/water proofed and the the water feature was also redone, this time was used to convert one of the pools into an additional filter. Water goes from a bottom drain and surface pipe into a settlement and then through 3 vortexes and is then fed back to the waterfall via a 55w watt UV. Some of the water is diverted to the bottom of the chamber via a t piece and a valve right at the top.

Dr Novak says once a year is sufficient to clean, i clean twice a year. Autumn and spring.

The pool when drained and the baskets removed.After 5months No sludge.
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The baskets, these cost R6-50 each, (R80-00 really wayne? Get away from people that know you want these things for a water feature/koi pond )

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Cleaned out chamber.
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Baskets reloaded.

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Stones back in, personnaly i do not use stones on my own one.
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Water in and system running again.

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This whole setup, baskets , clay , laterite , stones and my labour cost her around R750-00.

Thanks for the pics. Now i understand beter, I believe it works, no problem regarding that i am just not seeing how this is cheaper, easier or beter.

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The baskets, these cost R6-50 each, (R80-00 really wayne? Get away from people that know you want these things for a water feature/koi pond )

I was refering to the crates in the previouse pics on page 2. At plastics for africa crates go for about R80 each. Is that single water plant going to be able to handle the nitrate?

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That was the reason i chose to investigate this system, the nitrates as it means less waterchanges and cost incurred.

David so are you saying that you wont be doing any water changes with this system in place? How do you clean your mechanical filter?

Im not sure of others but i only clean my mechanical filters and that is my water changes...i dont do water changes for the sake of water changes...

Im still struggeling to buy this "cheaper" idea cause sofar i am not convinced maybe its because i want the method thats going to save me time and money down the road. If anyone tried to sell me this method that you are so fond of i would have been out of there in 2sec.

Here is a moving bed filter that i build a while ago. It cost me the grand total of R 1050. R300 for the barrel and R750 for the K1. Even if you want to add my Boyu 003 in it just adds R400 to the price tag...for effortless and peace of mind filtration. I never have to clean my K1. All i had to do on this filter was to spray the sponge clean once a week. (The sponge is my mechanical filter)

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Hi David

Many thanks for the photos. It gives me a good idea of what it will look like in my pond. I see that you have put a pipe at the bottom rather then the diffuser crate typical in Dr Novak's pond setup....better your way actually.

I also wanted to ask if you have a basket or crate in the main pond? I wonder if it actually makes a difference?

Thanks again
Ed

Is this not the same filtration used in treating sewerage ?
Does anoxic mean without oxygen?

Then how can it be fed by a waterfall.

I think this is exactly the same as all other filtration systems and is run by aerobic bacteria.

The term anoxia means a total decrease in the level of oxygen, an extreme form of hypoxia or "low oxygen".

So yes this filtration is using anaerobic bacteria.

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Anaerobic bacteria are a type of bacteria that grows in places which have little or no oxygen. Such bacteria infect deep lacerations, deep tissues, and internal organs. Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria are marked by bad-smelling pus, the formation of abscesses, and the destruction of tissue.

That said, anaerobic bacteria are very efficient in its job. They are usualy the first becteria to arrive in a new filtration system ..the problems is just when this bacteria gets outside the filter and starts to eat the koi.

Hi all has anyone found the real laterite yet seems the stuff that we can get in SA is used for sand rouds and I'm sure it is not the same as what Dr nNovac uses.

Angry
In which ant hill have you been hiding?

Been keeping a low profile no money no honey naa lost tutch after my last outbreak in my pond did not loose any fish but gave 9 away and my star Showa is white now also gave it away well money well spent but leason hard lernt. Just another eg of a new koi keeper getting ahead of himself and over stocking I was warned. But hey anyone know were to get laterite the real marine plant stuff not the stuff I teamed down that is sold in tons and used for topsoil on sand roads don't thick that's what we need.

Sorry to hear Angry.