The Pond Digger Forums

I'm building a stream and have installed a Purifalls bio filter box at the top of the stream.   The filter came with 2 mesh bags which I assume I am supposed to fill with some sort of media in which to culture bacteria inside the filter box (underneath the filter pads).   Can you offer some suggestions as to what I should put inside the media bags?  I would prefer to use something I don't have to purchase if that's possible (?small pieces of pvc pipe?  ?gravel? ?Pieces of sponge?).    Do I need to purchase a bottle of starter bacteria or will things naturally grow on their own?  Thanks for the advice!

In the style waterfall filter you are using, it is recommended that you use 3/4" lava rock in those media bags. The media bags filled with lava rock should be installed ON TOP of the filter media to keep them from flowing up and out of the filter. It's only 5 bucks for a 40lb bag of lava rock at our local hardware stores and would certainly be less expensive then making your own PVC shavings.

The beneficial bacteria will culture on its own in the filter but it is my suggestion that you innoculate your pond and filters with beneficial bacteria on a regular basis for the best results in your water qualilty.

Happy Pondering,

The Pond Digger

Thank you very much!!