Biohome has taken approximately 10 years to develop and is made from an inert uncommon material mixed with a very common material (glass) ,It is very different from other glass media.

Biohome has the micro tunnelling of the correct dimension within the glass which comfortably house bacteria but still allow easy access for food.

The bacteria which become weak find it difficult to maintain a foothold on the glossy interior tunnel walls and are continually replaced by stronger bacteria which are more active in removing toxins.

Bacteria within the core of the pellet remove Nitrates whilst still supplying supplemental food for those toward the extremities of the pellet.

Other sintered glass products have been made by mixing salt and glass together , melting the components and then dissolving the salt.This process makes a product which is used in the chemical industry to filter gas.But some manufacturers market this as a filter to house bacteria.

This is not the method used to manufacture Biohome

The manufacturers claim huge Specific Surface Area, these surface areas are established using mercury vapour tests and Nitrogen adsorption etc. etc. .... However , bacteria are not made of mercury and nor are they aware of exactly what a Nitrogen adsorption test is and they care even less I would imagine.

Carbon has an extremely high SSA but bacteria cannot take advantage of this as the pore size is too small and the porosity is too great, Void space , the physical size of the micro tunnelling, and the surface texture are extremely important to the action of the bacteria, not only the surface area.

 

However if these figures give you peace of mind

The British Company Ceram Research conducted SSA tests of Biohome pellets and found the Apparent Porosity of Biohome was 41% it also found all sintered glass had a similar nitrogen adsorption characteristics. Until more repeatable measurements are made possible , we are claiming a very conservative usable surface area of 540 square metres per litre, or 5800 sq ft per litre of product
( Theoretical measurements of 80-100,000 sq ft / cu ft have been attained )

Of the other filters which don't block, the best are;

Product name	Ft sq / Cu ft
Bio-Fill	250
Bio-Barrel	160
Bio-Barrel	64
Bio-Strata	110

These are approximate figures only

Other sintered glass media tends to block after approximately six months and become less effective.

If you have a pre-filter Biohome won't block at all. Biohome is a house for bacteria so it must be installed correctly and the bacteria also treated well so they remain healthy.

Recommended ratio of media to water is as follows;

Marine Environment	1 Litre Biohome	=	1125 Litres of water
Freshwater	1 Litre Biohome	=	2250 Litres of water

Biohome has these advantages over every other form of biological media

• Massive surface area is available as a habitat for bacteria to degrade nitrogen compounds.
• Microscopic tunnel structure throughout its mass in which the billions of micro-organisms live. ( this allows them shelter but they can still access water and food ) , To see evidence of this dip the end of a dry pellet in the water
• Biohome cintered glass is inert and doesn't release any residual gas or toxins into the environment ( It can't poison your fish )
• Safest biofilter media available for your aquarium
• Compact and will allow you to keep more fish in a smaller tank.
• Small unit is inconspicuous in your home.
• Cost you less than other forms of media.
• Reduces the need for you to change water significantly.
• With adequate filter will give you a long service life.
• Significantly reduces toxic nitrogenous compounds.
• Can easily be transferred between systems in aquaculture situations
• Promotes vibrant health for all aquatic life-forms in your aquarium.
• Bacteria grow quicker on Biohome because the surface is hydrophilic allows the micro-organism a better foothold than hydrophobic plastic mediums.
• Reduces nitrate levels
• Suitable for all Aquaria including Cold water, Tropical, and Marine applications

If you are going to have a high stock loading ( a lot of fish in a small area) you should allow approximately 1 cubic centimetre of Biohome to 8 cubic centimetres of fish by volume

'Biohome Plus' is another similar product which has carefully chosen trace elements added to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.

In our experience we have found the best flow rate is ;

Marine:	10 mm / sec
Fresh:	5 mm / sec

This rate can be increased, however it doesn't necessarily increase the efficiency of the unit

Optimum efficiency will be attained in zero light levels however Biohome does operate in shaded environment

Where is Biohome used

Biohome is now used as an integral part of many other products such as Fishmate P-BS5 manufactured by Pet Mate Ltd., Surrey , England. and Pond Workers In Pond Filters are made by INTERPET U.K. and distributed by Aquarium Products U.S.A. Biohome is sold in various pet shop chains. It is included in the 'Prime 10' power filter which was voted " Product of the Year " in 1996 by U.K.'s leading aquatic magazine "Practical fishkeeping". It is also sold in various pet shop chains in Europe , the most well known being 'Interpet'.

Some other facilities and organisations using Biohome are ;

The London Aquarium, County Hall, London.,
Taiwan International Aquarium, Taipei, Taiwan.,
The Kattegat Centre, Grenaa, Denmark.
Prokoi Fish Farming Specialists
West Quarry Appley Lane North Appley Bridge Lancashire Wn69ae United Kingdom,
Strathaird Farms Kilmarie Western Scotland.
Shirley Aquatics Stratford Road, Monkspath, Shirley, Solihull. U.K.
Intensive Aquaculture Technologies,
Barrow-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire, U.K.

There is increasing demand for a smaller reasonably priced Bio-filtration unit to keep increasing numbers of fish prior to sale in restaurants and markets. These fish, will have to be produced in aquaculture projects and we have the best biofiltration medium available for this purpose, especially if space , stock loading, environment concerns or water retention and recycling are major project constraints.