What a Bio Fall Does and Why it is Important
Pond filtration is critical to your ecosystem. Did you know that there are ways to do this using natural methods instead of chemicals?
At the top of the stream or waterfall there may be large container that the water fills up and then spills out into the waterfall. This called a Bio Fall.
You can see the top of a bio fall here. There are some plants growing in the rock tray.
Some features do not have this at all, and just have a pipe coming out at the top of the stream or waterfall.
Water enters the Biofall at the bottom and filters up and out. There are filter pads just above the pipe inlet. Need an overall look at how the whole pond works? Click HERE (but don’t forget to come back!)
The Benefit of a Bio Fall - The REAL Work!
When the water reaches the Bio Fall, it has already gone through a basket or net, a filter pad and the pump to remove large debris. We refer to this as mechanical filtration.
The Bio Fall provides additional surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize. The find filter pads and bio filter media (like bio balls) provides little nooks and crannies perfect for living water to LIVE!
As the water filters through, the bacteria consumes, breaks down and processes nutrients in the water that would otherwise be used by ALGAE!
A Bio Fall provides fantastic pond filtration in addition to the VERY BEST filtration: Plants. Use as many plants as the pond can hold (and look good at the same time) will keep your pond water crystal clear!
An up close look at bio balls
Maintaining Your Pond Biofalls for Optimal Health
You might think that the filter mats and media in the bio fall need to be cleaned often. Not so! It’s essential to keep them mostly undisturbed. Over time, as the bacteria work, sludge will accumulate, and then they can be cleaned. Generally that is once or maybe twice a year. Cleaning the bio fall can actually disrupt the bacteria’s ability to function properly.
While cleaning them with hose water sometimes has to be done, using a pump and cleaning them with pond water keeps the living organisms in tact!
This rock tray sits and he top bio fall.
This bio fall has Water Lettuce, Water Hyacinth and Impatiens in it. Right here they are not covering the plastic edge, but they will!
Water hyacinths and other aquatic plants are excellent for concealing your bio falls, but they require careful monitoring. My water hyacinth grew so vigorously that it started diverting water outside of the system. Make sure to prevent plants from overflowing the bio falls. Ready to learn more about Aquatic plants? We’ve got all sorts of plant information including pictures!
Planting a Sweet Potato vine very near the bio fall is a great way to hide it. It will cover it up once it warms up and will start new roots right in the water!
Does the type of bio media matter?
There are so many types of material that can provide additional surface area for beneficial bacteria. We see a lot of lava rock. It does work really well, the down side is that they are really heavy when they are full of gunk and very hard to clean!
There are a variety of bio balls. One is a ball that has straight pieces sticking out. In my experience, the stick break off here and there, making a mess.
I have not used the bio filter ribbon – so if you like that let me know.
I prefer the Aquascape Bioballs. They don’t break off and they seem to last forever!
A Natural Pond that Works with Mother Nature
If your pond doesn’t have a filtration system, consider the Bio Fall. It works WITH Mother Nature to keep a beautiful and clear pond.
Kristi's Tips
If you want to add plants to the rock tray, make sure they are annual plants, not perennial as they won’t over winter there well.
Did you know that Aquascape BioBalls have a hole in the middle and can be strung together with a plastic ribbon or string so that if they come loose from the mesh bag that they won’t go everywhere? It’s true!
Many pond owners skip adding bacteria treatments in the winter, and if that works for you, there’s no need to change. However, if your pond could use a bit more support during the colder months, consider adding cold-water bacteria.
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.