Koi Filtration Units

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The "Koi Kichi" book in the "Bookstore" contains an excellent description of filtration systems. We recommend reading this before planning your pond.

A filtration system is actually a water treatment facility. It features some or all of the following stages:

Mechanically removes suspended solids including algae

filtration pads (need to be cleaned daily)

brushes (need to be cleaned almost daily)

"Vortex" units which drain off the sediments by turning a valve

sand filters (which need to be backwashed frequently) most are Hayward units

Sand filters trap particles from the water. Periodically, the filter is shut down and the water flow for that filter is reversed, backflushing the sand to remove the accumulated waste. The waste water from back flushing goes to a sewer or garden.

bead filters most are Hayward units some are Triton

Plastic beads are used as the filter media.

hollow media filters most are Hayward units

Plastic hollow-media of various shapes and sizes are used to further reduce the plugging-up problem found with bead filters.

Heats the water which accelerates the following stages

A heat exchanger system cools or heats the water to keep the pond at the right temperature. Some of the water in the water recirculation system can by pass the heat exchanger. To adjust the temperature in the pond, the amount of water flowing through the exchanger can be adjusted.

	reduces the stress on Koi from large temperature swings in cold climates
	allows a longer growing period in cold climates

Passes the water under Ultraviolet Rays to "polymerize" algae into larger clumps that are later removed in the mechanical filtration stage. UV light can also help destroy some parasites, bacteria and viruses if properly sized.

Oxygenates the water

air stones

waterfalls

ozonator

Ozone contactors are used to mix ozone gas with a portion of water from the pond. Ozone is used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that may be present in the water. Ozone is injected into a venturi through which water is flowing. The micro bubbles created by the venturi allow the ozone to go into solution and begin the disinfection process. The contactor vessel is designed to give the ozonated water several minutes of retention time before mixing with the untreated water in the biological filter tower.

Biologically detoxifies the water by converting ammonia to nitrites, and nitrites to nitrates.

Biological filters convert toxic ammonia, from fish waste, to non-toxic nitrate. A media is used that serves as a home for the two types of bacteria required to convert ammonia. Water recirculating through the sand filter and protein skimmer combine to flow over the media of the biological filter. The biological filter also serves to remove gasses like carbon dioxide and ammonia that may be in solution. The agitation of water flowing across the large surface area of the filter allow these gasses to be removed.

nitrification process

	nitrification pads
	gravel
	ceramics
	pond sides and bottom
	bioballs

Nitrates can be removed by plants, algae, with a drip column or with frequent water changes.

Phosphates are removed by plants, algae or with frequent water changes.

Removal of heavy metals

Skims proteins out of the water

Protein skimmers function to remove dissolved organics from circulating Koi water. A portion of the pond water flows into the skimmer vessel, entering near the top and exiting out at the bottom. Air bubbles, created by a venturi, enter the skimmer vessel near the bottom. As the air bubbles rise, against the downward flow of water, organic material in solution adhere to the rising air bubble and are carried to the top of the vessel riding on the outside of the bubble. As the bubbles break at the water surface, they form a foam layer. This layer of foam builds as successive bubbles rise to the surface. The foam layer continues to build, will eventually rise out of the vessel and is drained to waste.

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Phone: 303-883-8000

e-mail: ColoradoKoi@hotmail.com

Postal Address: 3551 S. Monaco Parkway, Suite #138, Denver, Colorado 80237