All,
Actually, Bill might appreciate that diatom based periphyton functions under low light conditions, like those offered within the eight inch diameter coral/feeder bags. He's correct that biofilm, the basis of all forms of periphyton, will cycle more nutrients given circulation...which is why the interstitial spacing within the coral is as porous as it is.
Coral feeder matrix operates the same way floating islands do, and while plants add about 15 to 20% to their efficacy, the primary nutrient cycling factor in islands or coral feeder bags are biofilm generating microbes.
So whether it's a backyard eutrophied fish pond, or a stormwater pond, or a wastewater facility, these biofilm generators, given sufficient surface area and circulation, will out-compete free floating phytoplankton in their race for nutrients.
After a week or so, usually less, rub some of the film off of coral bags and look at it under a microscope to see what we are talking about. It's literally buzzing with zooplankton and other tiny micro invertebrates.
Watch what happens to the growth rates of fish that vector with biofilm and the diatoms that exist on it under low light conditions...like all forms of minnows. This translates to the ultimate health of both, your fishery and your waterway.
Last year, with no feeding program, Bruce harvested 210 pounds/acre of wild, organic, fish from Fish Fry Lake. And the water that left the lake on its way to the nutrient enriched dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico was at non detect levels for all forms of nitrogen. They also got most of the phosphorus out. This is important, folks, when you consider the off the chart growth in the rates of eutrophication.
We are very interested in hearing from others who track their waterway's water quality. We believe that fish harvest represents the ultimate best means by which to cycle nutrients out of water in most natural settings.
BioHaven products are all designed around this vision. Today half the lakes in the U.S. are marginal fisheries. We can have our water back!
Until you have seen, held and installed one of these in person, a picture can only tell so much. The first orders begin to ship on Monday!
Last edited by Peepaw; 02/03/13 07:11 AM.
