My barrel filter is filled with buffer pads and is inside a lighthouse to
hide it, my question is does a bilfilter need light to grow beneficial
bacteria, no problems so far just wondering?

no light. UV from sunlight might even hinder bacteria growth.
"claude rogers" wrote in message
...
My barrel filter is filled with buffer pads and is inside a lighthouse to
hide it, my question is does a bilfilter need light to grow beneficial
bacteria, no problems so far just wondering?

The lack of light will not hinder the biobugs you're trying to grow. The
lack of light WILL hinder the growth of algae, which is *good*. Not to
worry: most filters are closed units, with no light.

Lee

"claude rogers" wrote in message
...
My barrel filter is filled with buffer pads and is inside a lighthouse to
hide it, my question is does a bilfilter need light to grow beneficial
bacteria, no problems so far just wondering?

Oh Lord ... now I've really lost it. I was reading something
just yesterday about keeping biobugs alive all through the
winter. Was it on this list? Very interesting article where
ever it was! Jest of it is - you get a sampling of your
biobugs, measure the ammonia - etc etc ... keep the whole
mess covered in a garbage can at 60 - 65 degrees. In the spring
you save 5 to 6 weeks, maybe longer in getting your pond
up and running. More involved that this ... but very interesting.
You don't need light for the biobugs to live.... only the sample, ammonia
and water.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Lee Brouillet" wrote in message
...
The lack of light will not hinder the biobugs you're trying to grow. The
lack of light WILL hinder the growth of algae, which is *good*. Not to
worry: most filters are closed units, with no light.

Lee

"claude rogers" wrote in message
...
My barrel filter is filled with buffer pads and is inside a lighthouse
to
hide it, my question is does a bilfilter need light to grow beneficial
bacteria, no problems so far just wondering?

Nedra wrote:
Oh Lord ... now I've really lost it. I was reading something
just yesterday about keeping biobugs alive all through the
winter. Was it on this list? Very interesting article where
ever it was! Jest of it is - you get a sampling of your
biobugs, measure the ammonia - etc etc ... keep the whole
mess covered in a garbage can at 60 - 65 degrees. In the spring
you save 5 to 6 weeks, maybe longer in getting your pond
up and running. More involved that this ... but very interesting.
You don't need light for the biobugs to live.... only the sample, ammonia
and water.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836

if you find it again semd me the link please


John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

good judgement comes from bad experience, and that comes from bad
judgement

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

Will do, John.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"John Rutz" wrote in message
...


Nedra wrote:
Oh Lord ... now I've really lost it. I was reading something
just yesterday about keeping biobugs alive all through the
winter. Was it on this list? Very interesting article where
ever it was! Jest of it is - you get a sampling of your
biobugs, measure the ammonia - etc etc ... keep the whole
mess covered in a garbage can at 60 - 65 degrees. In the spring
you save 5 to 6 weeks, maybe longer in getting your pond
up and running. More involved that this ... but very interesting.
You don't need light for the biobugs to live.... only the sample,
ammonia
and water.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836

if you find it again semd me the link please


John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

good judgement comes from bad experience, and that comes from bad
judgement

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

The
lack of light WILL hinder the growth of algae, which is *good*.

Lee,
My biofilter is wide open, should I put a cover over it. Would this help with
my algae problem? Thanks, Cathy

YES! The algae grows hog wild in an area as small as the filter. If you can
find a light-weight piece of flat rock (like slate or similar), use that. Or
maybe a piece of plexi-glass (I painted mine with fleck-stone and put plants
on it!). You can make a 1 x 2" frame with slats that will fit over the lid,
and you can put plants on that, too. But do something to cover it to keep
the sun out as much as possible.

Lee

"Szpond" wrote in message
...
The
lack of light WILL hinder the growth of algae, which is *good*.

Lee,
My biofilter is wide open, should I put a cover over it. Would this help
with
my algae problem? Thanks, Cathy

YES! The algae grows hog wild in an area as small as the filter

Lee,
Thank you so much. Covered it is going to be! Cathy

I hate to confuse the issue, but Skippy specifically states not to cover the
skippy filter.!

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Szpond" wrote in message
...
YES! The algae grows hog wild in an area as small as the filter

Lee,
Thank you so much. Covered it is going to be! Cathy

I have two Marine 1 clear cannisters with carbon in them and algae
growing in them. It is a very good secondary filter system. Some large
Public Aquarums cultivate algae filters with artificial sun lamps. The
trick is the UV still keeps the water clear. Bio filters are best kept
in the dark. The algae and carbon filter is for water purification. To
much Rain will also cause the greenies the PH starts to dip and the
water looses hardness. If that happens add some lime chips in a
pantyhose to the water flowing in and that should help. Or if your water
is hard do a slooooow water change 10% every few days. Keep smiling AL

Oh Lord ... now I've really lost it. I was reading something
just yesterday about keeping biobugs alive all through the
winter. Was it on this list? Very interesting article where
ever it was! Jest of it is - you get a sampling of your
biobugs, measure the ammonia - etc etc ... keep the whole
mess covered in a garbage can at 60 - 65 degrees. In the spring
you save 5 to 6 weeks, maybe longer in getting your pond
up and running. More involved that this ... but very interesting.
You don't need light for the biobugs to live.... only the sample, ammonia
and water. Nedra

Aeration is probably in the mix somewhere too. ) Course keeping an
aquarium going and using that filter media might be easier. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

~ jan JJsPond.us wrote:
Oh Lord ... now I've really lost it. I was reading something
just yesterday about keeping biobugs alive all through the
winter. Was it on this list? Very interesting article where
ever it was! Jest of it is - you get a sampling of your
biobugs, measure the ammonia - etc etc ... keep the whole
mess covered in a garbage can at 60 - 65 degrees. In the spring
you save 5 to 6 weeks, maybe longer in getting your pond
up and running. More involved that this ... but very interesting.
You don't need light for the biobugs to live.... only the sample, ammonia
and water. Nedra


Aeration is probably in the mix somewhere too. ) Course keeping an
aquarium going and using that filter media might be easier. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website


--
thought I saved that but cant find it now gist was take your filter mat
and put it in a trash can with aeriation keep at 60-65 degrees and
feed it with amonia once in a while to keep the bugs alive




John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

good judgement comes from bad experience, and that comes from bad
judgement

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

John wrote feed it with ammonia once in a while to keep the bugs alive

This tickles my sci-fi genes.
And at the end of winter John opens the trash can
and......


k30a

K30a wrote:
John wrote feed it with ammonia once in a while to keep the bugs alive

This tickles my sci-fi genes.
And at the end of winter John opens the trash can
and......


k30a


--
one giant pond cleaning bacterium pops out




John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

good judgement comes from bad experience, and that comes from bad
judgement

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com