Biological Filtration: Bioballs

There are "5 Healthy Elements" of a naturally balanced water feature:
 1. Filtration
 2. Rocks & Gravel
 3. Recirculation System
 4. Pond Fish
 5. Aquatic Plants

Bioballs, also known as biological media, are found within number 1's element, inside a man-made pond's filtration system.

---

Purpose of Bioballs

Bioballs, by Aquascape Inc, serve the purpose to house additional space for beneficial bacteria colonies to form to break down the dead organic matter in a pond. There are many different types of "biomedia" out there in the market: some people use the form that look like black plastic ribbon-looking pieces while some people use lava rock. It is important to note that lava rock (though very cheap in price), it needs replaced YEARLY in order to be effective because it is so porous and impossible to clean thoroughly when needed.

While all types of biomedia  serve the same purpose, "Bioballs" by Aquascape, Inc rank as one of the best because of space efficiency in relation to the amount of surface area per ball that allows for beneficial bacteria to grow. The more surface area you have = more beneficial bacteria colonies to break down your dead organic matter which is the whole point.

---

Do's and Don'ts of Bioball Care

Bioballs last forever but you still need to maintain them properly in order to maximize the amount of use you get out of them per season. Beneficial bacteria doesn't just EXIST in a pond, you have to add it. We recommend adding it weekly to your backyard pond to maintain colonies; noting that you can never have too much beneficial bacteria. Because beneficial bacteria die over the frigid cold months of winter, we recommend cleaning them every spring during your Spring Maintenance Process to rid any build up of muck that exists. You can hose them off and knock any debris off that you see, however, NEVER hose them off or even expose them to oxygen during the regular season or fall as this causes your beneficial bacteria to die. Allowing your beneficial bacteria to be removed from a pond means an inevitable set back to green algae phase until your colonies establish themselves again.

---

So Now What??

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,