We have food-chain in aquatic
living communities as it is so in terrestrial
ones.
Organic
matters and ammonia excreted by nishikigoi are decomposed by
bacteria. The
bacteria are then utilized by protozoans and microscopic
metazoans that
become food for aquatic invertebrates (mostly
insects).
These
aquatic insects are available as food for fish in natural streams and
ponds.
Such food chain is observed in our nishikigoi ponds where dragonfly
and
chironomids (midges: small mosquito-like insects) fly out from the
filtration
tanks.
There
are many filtration methods by utilizing the bacteria to produce clear
water,
but here are the two most common
ones.
(1)
Activated Sludge Method -- Grow aerobic bacteria to decompose the
sludge
(organic matter). Utilized in flushing toilet
unit.
(2) Contact Oxidation Method -- This is what we use for our nishikigoi
ponds.
Bacteria attached to the filter materials decompose the organic
matter. We
use filters such as BioMesh made of polyethylene or plastic with
great
surface area. These are not easily clogged and easy to clean, and
last many years.
If you install these filter materials in your filtration tanks and have
the
bacteria clean the water, the water will not only become clear but also
will
have good chemistry.