Biofilter media products
We supply a range of biofilter media. This product is sold by the cubic metre, 100 liter bags and 20 liter bags. Order online at https://ecotao-store.co.za/product-category/filters/biofilters/
The MBBR bio-filter media is suspended through aeration throughout a wastewater treatment tank. Typically, they take up about 50% to 60% of the tank volume. Their design makes them optimal for hosting beneficial bacteria and promoting their growth, providing a surface area for the bacteria. The Kaldness type of MBBR media resemble wheel-shape, with the spokes of the wheel providing the surface area for bacterial growth. Others are thin, coin-shaped discs or squares.
The biofilter or MBBR media surface area provides a surface for microorganism growth. The biofilm that grows on the media then decomposes the waste in the tank. Aeration via diffusers send provides oxygen and turbulence in the tank to promote continuous microorganism growth. MBBR media carriers have a density similar to that of water, so they mix well with the wastewater to promote consistent waste digestion.
Using MBBR media is advantageous because the biofilter media takes up minimal space, are easy to maintain and digest waste efficiently. The microorganisms on the media adjust rapidly to changes in the amount and type of waste in the water. Although MBBR systems require some monitoring, they are largely self-sufficient. They are not a solids removal system, so we should remove as much solids as possible before the biofiltration process.
See commercial use of this media – video
The inventor of this media called is Kaldness biofilter media ans there were mainly two types, K1 and K3 media for biofilters or “moving bed biofilm reactors” (MBBR filter).
Current SA manufactured biofilter media
Current imported product range
Media volume needed
With good turbulence and aeration, at a feed rate of 0.25kgs of 40% protein food per day requires 50 litres of media.
For Koi: maximum of 0.25kgs of food per day per 50 litres used, to ensure the best possible water parameters are achieved. If a higher feed rate is required, extra media can easily be added. Koi are typically fed at between 1% – 2% of body weight per day. For every 5 grams of food fed, 1 1itre of K1 media is required.
For large commercial systems, the quantity is less and based on daily feed rates. Please send us your feed rate and fish biomass and we can advise the amount needed. Typically, this is about 130 liters media per kg of daily feed.
One aquaponics system reported using 62.5 liters media per kilogram of daily feed. This is low, possibly as other areas in the aquaponics system also work as biofilter surfaces.
Air needed (aeration required)
Biofilter media must be aerated for ammonia conversion. Aeration is needed at 120 to 250 liters per minute of air per cubic meter of media. We supply blowers for this application. We also supply air diffusers of different sizes and micropore diffuser hose.
A koi fish pond system with 50 liters of biofilter media needs about 10-15 lpm of aeration. A 2 inch air stone delivers around 4 lpm, so 3 airstones should be enough for 50 liters media.
There are now many plastic floating wheel type products commercially available.
Some of these products are no longer in production, so the below simply illustrates the diversity of effective designs. | ||||
Picture | Model | Specification (mm) | Specific surface area (m2/m3) | Density (kg/m3) |
ECOBM-1 (4 rooms) high quality- modified material | Φ10*10 | ≥1200 | 125 | |
ECOBM-2 (7 rooms) high quality- modified material | Φ13*10 | ≥1000 | 105 | |
ECOBM-3 (4 rooms) high quality- modified material | Φ15*15 | ≥760 | 105 | |
ECOBM-4 (19 rooms) high quality- modified material | Φ25*10 | ≥620 | 100 | |
ECOMAX-1 (4 rooms) No pure plastic | Φ1Φ*8 | ≥900 | 160 | |
ECOMAX-2 (4 rooms) No pure plastic | Φ10*10 | ≥800 | 150 | |
ECOMAX-3 (6 rooms) not pure plastic | Φ12*8 | ≥750 | 150 | |
ECOMAX-4 (64 rooms) not pure plastic | Φ28*5 | ≥550 | 90 | |
ECOMAX-5 (25 rooms) not pure plastic | Φ25*12 | ≥550 | 100 | |
ECOMAX-6 (19 rooms) not pure plastic | Φ25*12 | ≥500 | 95 | |
BFCL01 (4 rooms) Pure plastic | Φ12*7 | ≥750 | 120 | |
BFCL02 (4 rooms) Pure plastic | Φ11*7 | ≥800 | 140 | |
BFCL03 (5 rooms) Pure plastic In stock at Ecotao store. | Φ10*7 | ≥850 | 150 | |
BFCL04 (6 rooms) Pure plastic | Φ14.5*10 | ≥600 | 120 | |
BFCL05 (1 room) Pure plastic | Φ12*8 | ≥700 | 121 |
These products are suited to fluidized or moving bed tank systems. These are also called “Biofilm Reactor”, “moving bed reactors (MBBR or MBR)” systems, polyethylene media and are used for the treatment of water and wastewater. Similare media are MB3 media, Kaldnes and EEC media. BFCL03 can support about 16 kilograms of fish per 50 liters of media, where fish are fed 1.5% of their body weight per day. Alternatively, a maximum of 0.75 kilogram of 40% protein food per 50 litres of media per day. A safer measure is a maximum of 0.25 kilograms of food per 50 litres used, in order to ensure the best possible water parameters are achieved.
The moving bed process is ideal for COD and BOD reduction as well as nitrification and denitrification. In nitrifying applications, use a blower to continuously circulate the elements, while simultaneously oxygenating the water and stripping the CO2. The self-cleaning action allows for the exfoliation of the older, less active bacterial layer and eliminates the need for backwashing.
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Self cleaning due to turbulence
Due to the turbulent movement of the biofilter media in suspension, the filter medium is self-cleaning, requiring no maintenance. This allows the filter to reach optimum effectiveness without the disturbance of periodic maintenance, avoiding unnecessary loss of bacteria within the filter. This allows stable, low levels of ammonia and nitrite within the water.
BFCLO1 | |
BFCLO2 (This is similar to Kaldness K1 media) | |
BFCLO3 (This is similar to Kaldness K1 media, but with 5 radials). This can support about 16 kilograms of fish per 50 liters of media, where fish are fed 1.5% of their body weight per day. | |
BFCLO4 | |
ECOMAX-6 |
The first few of these products are similar to the patented Kaldnes media used in fish farming and waste water treatment. The design creates an environment for effective nitrification to take place. Water flow is created by aeration that circulates the media throughout the vessel. This high surface area of these products translates into a small physical area needed for the biofiltration unit.
Due to vigorous mixing of the Kaldnes-like media through aeration, the media is self-cleaning, requiring no maintenance. This allows the filter to reach optimum effectiveness. Periodic maintenance is not necessary, preventing the unnecessary loss of bacteria and subsequent ammonia and nitrite spikes in the system.