[Wooderson]

Ive always been curious about using a Bio-filter with a recycling reservoir waterfall made with a 5 gallon bucket full of media balls.

My Questions is how do you make sure the the "Microherd" that in theory has colonized the Biofilter are Happy & Healthy? What do you need to feed them? What are the best environmental conditions for them?

[Wooderson]

Like this DIY Bio Filter https://www.generalhydroponics.com/bl...iy-bio-filter/

[Balazar]

Originally Posted by Wooderson

Ive always been curious about using a Bio-filter with a recycling reservoir waterfall made with a 5 gallon bucket full of media balls.

My Questions is how do you make sure the the "Microherd" that in theory has colonized the Biofilter are Happy & Healthy? What do you need to feed them? What are the best environmental conditions for them?

Feed them some molasses check out the 3LB (three little birds) guide to molasses as reposed from OG here. Also you may find the tea article from CTguy useful. Oh and don't forget Mycorrhizal Fungi!

[pray4pistils]

Originally Posted by Wooderson

Ive always been curious about using a Bio-filter with a recycling reservoir waterfall made with a 5 gallon bucket full of media balls.

My Questions is how do you make sure the the "Microherd" that in theory has colonized the Biofilter are Happy & Healthy? What do you need to feed them? What are the best environmental conditions for them?

It's all about providing a suitable environment that they can thrive in. First and foremost you've got to eliminate all chlorine and be sure that there is no presence of chloramine. Secondly, keep the water at the right temperature (i.e. ~65 - 70°F). Third, get SERIOUS about aeration. Inadequate aeration or an overly-high temperature = a cess pool (or "fart factory" as my buddy called it after I had an air pump failure). I can't stress the temperature and oxygenation bit enough.

After you've got those matters handled it's a matter of feeding the proper foods at the right times. Of course, a veg formula will differ from one optimized for flowering. Plenty of recipes can be found in the Organic Soil forum, but I'll be happy to provide some that have worked for me, if you'd like.

Btw, you don't need a bio-filter to get these microbes rockin' in your reservoir. Bacteria stay plenty happy in (suitable) water. Mycorrhizae fungus, however, must attach to roots (specifically) after germination or they'll go dormant or die (either of which will make them food for bacteria). I don't believe that you'll get viable fungal colonization in your hydroton. That's okay, though. It's great, but you don't need it. Fungus will populate an organic medium like coco, though. If that's up your alley, start the plants in coco-filled beer cups and wait for them to become root bound. Then, bury the root balls in the hydroton and run it just like normal. Nothing will wash away and the mycorrhizae can take hold (but only in the coco).

[supermanlives]

add abunch of stuff and let it run a few weeks. worked for me in a greenhouse. i had a 13 gal tub filled with plastic bio balls with a smaller tub inside with lavastone . worked killer . wish i had a greenhouse still.

[supermanlives]

start making tea bags . i used winemaking filtering bags

[Wooderson]

Thanks for all the great info ya'll, I'm not really planning on a organic-hydro system. I am planning on a LC / burn1 organic potting soil mix variation, but I have been interested in the Bio-Filter Reservoir system where the microherd could breakdown organic teas and such before they even get to the media or root system. If that makes any sense?

[pray4pistils]

Alrighty, well I'm certainly not saying that the bio-filter is a bad idea. I have no experience with it from which I could frame an opinion. However, I'll insist that it isn't necessary for cultivating a huge beneficial bacteria population.

All you need to do is aggressively bubble say... 4 gallons of 65 - 70°F water in a 5 gallon bucket. (The water should churn as if it is boiling furiously.) Add the proper natural foods and let'r rip for 24 - 48 hours. Then, pour that stuff directly into your soil. It's not difficult at all. Get the basics correct and you're assured success.


DO IT.

[Wooderson]

Originally Posted by pray4pistils

Alrighty, well I'm certainly not saying that the bio-filter is a bad idea. I have no experience with it from which I could frame an opinion. However, I'll insist that it isn't necessary for cultivating a huge beneficial bacteria population.

All you need to do is aggressively bubble say... 4 gallons of 65 - 70°F water in a 5 gallon bucket. (The water should churn as if it is boiling furiously.) Add the proper natural foods and let'r rip for 24 - 48 hours. Then, pour that stuff directly into your soil. It's not difficult at all. Get the basics correct and you're assured success.


DO IT.

Basics for sure pray4pistils, Ive heard about growers doing the about 15 years ago
just always been curious about trying something like this?

[Balazar]

Coir can become acidic over time as well as brake down and clog things up, thats why its recommended for drain to waist. If your doing a recirculating system I think the bio filter would be a wonderful idea. For recirc (say a RDWC) you could make one of your buckets or your res itself into a tea brewer. Just a thought. Maximum Yield just had an article on using a slow sand filter that is inoculated with fungus/bacteria to treat your water before you use it.