Ideas on a bog filtration.

[ponddude]

quick question.. lets say you have a small pond. Normally a biofilter weir would be used for filtration with some kind of media in it..bio balls/blocks etc.. and only takes up a small area.

Why does building with a bog take up such a huge area in comparison? I know you want room to grow plants to help filter. Can you make it smaller and just add a bag of bio media in the pump chimmey?

Just curious.. I really love the look of bogs and the concept..

[tadpole]

Why does building with a bog take up such a huge area in comparison?

Effective bioconversion requires considerable surface area be available for the colonization of nitrifying bacteria. The amount of surface area required is dictated by the total volume of water being filtered. The filter media used in manufactured biofilters (bioballs, biomats, lava rock,etc.) have considerably more available surface area than the gravel that is used in construction of what many in the industry call 'Bogs'. Hence, to achieve the same amount of bioconversion a 'Bog' must be proportionately larger than a Biofilter.
The main reason, however, for constructing this form of filtration is to make space available for the use of plants (Phyto-filtration) and to create a habitat for myriad beneficial invertebrates.

On a side note, The term 'Bog' as applies to this type of filtration is incorrect. A Bog is a form of wetlands that is composed of spongy, decayed plant matter that is noted for it's high acidity. The filtration modules that are being constructed in the pond industry are more correctly identified as constructed Marshes.

I also don't like using the term "Bog' because it is British slang for the Toilet, Crapper, Latrine et.al.

[STL Ponds and Waterfalls]

Originally Posted by tadpole

I also don't like using the term "Bog' because it is British slang for the Toilet, Crapper, Latrine et.al.

I thought that was leu (sp) Tadpole I sent you a pm

[tadpole]

Yea, they also call it the Loo.(The more polite term)