Pond Filters & Biofiltration and bio starters. Also Called Pond bacteria starters

I received a very interesting question from a lady reader this week. In essence the question was what is difference between a pond filter and the powder she throws into her pond every week as recommended by a dealer.

The powder she was referring to is called a bio-starter or bacteria starter. These powder products are offered by many companies and are probably worthless in practice. Some products are available in liquid form.

The powder is supposed to be a mixture of naturally occurring bacteria that are also found in pond filters.

The types of bacteria required for effective biofiltration are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites and Nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrite to nitrate (in fact life is not as simple as this but this explanation suffices for this article).

Some manufacturers claim that their bio starters contain Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Now it is extremely difficult to freeze dry and keep alive such sensitive bacteria so any claim should be backed up by definitive proof of the fact that such powders do contain those bacteria and they are in a form that will work. If there was a viable population when packed then the question to be asked is are the bacteria still viable after "x" weeks on a shelf in non-controlled conditions.

If the concoction does not contain Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter then what value is it anyway?

I do my best to make sense out of pond keeping to save people money and hassles so they can enjoy their pond keeping and without having to do too much work. Here is a classic example of a product sold in large quantities world-wide without any value being added to a pond in almost every case.

A well known technical/practical writer on the subject of biofiltration is Gerry Preston. Gerry lives in the UK and is a regular contributor to Nishikigoi International magazine. Gerry claims spitting into the pond has as much value as adding bio starters and probably more. Spit apparently contains living Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.

For reasons explained in the book a pond filter is absolutely essential if you want to keep fish in a pond. In my opinion it is cruel not to install a pond filter since without a pond filter the fish will live in a potentially highly toxic environment.

A pond filter will automatically start itself up once fish are introduced into a pond. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are naturally occurring and will rapidly find their own way into the pond filter. They then need oxygen from circulating water as well as excreted ammonia from the fish (this occurs naturally) to thrive and multiply. It will take some considerable time for the pond filter to reach maturity. For this reason add more fish slowly over a perod of time - do NOT add many fish all at the same time.

To summarize Pond Filters and Starter Bacteria:

Think carefully before buying any so called bacteria starter or bio starter. In general do not add anything to a pond unless you understand why you are doing it and are sure of the benefit to be gained. If no obvious, proven, financial or fish health benefit then Do Not Add to your pond.

Many commercial pond products are a total waste of money and time. It is because many people do not have pond filters that products have been "invented" to compensate for this inadequacy. Manufacturers are quick to see opportunities to add to their turnover.