DE102013108402A1 - Pond care system for garden ponds, especially with fish stocking - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter system for water purification of ponds or pond-like waters, in particular with fish stocking, comprising a container (1) through which the water is passed from the bottom up, wherein in the container (1) at least one sieve-like intermediate bottom (5, 6) is arranged, on which a filter bed of zeolite (7) is located for mechanical and / or biological purification of the water.

Description

The present invention relates to a pond care system for garden ponds or similar waters, especially those with fish stocking. The pond care system according to the invention comprises a water treatment with which the spent water can be treated and returned to the pond, whereby the need for fresh water can be significantly reduced.

In uninfluenced, self-ceded waters, there is a natural balance between input of organic matter such as plant constituents from the environment, dead plant and animal remains in the water, their decomposition by microorganisms and removal. The decomposition products, for example, represent nutrients for the aquatic flora or fauna, are absorbed by them and recycled. Furthermore, harmful substances are removed in a variety of ways by the flora and micro-organisms present in the water.

In artificial waters, this ecological balance is usually disturbed. The input of matter is often significantly larger than it can naturally be removed and returned to the biological cycle. For example, an oversupply of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus components, leads to over-fertilization with increased undesirable plant, in particular algae growth, which can cause oxygen deficits, especially at night.

Fish ponds are a particular problem. On the one hand, the fish contribute to pollution and nutrient enrichment due to their nitrogen-containing faeces and feed residues, and on the other hand the decomposition products such as ammonia and nitrite are harmful to the fish.

It was therefore an aspect of the invention to provide a pond care system that can adjust the natural balance in a body of water.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a water treatment, which allows to circulate the water. This can significantly reduce the replacement of spent polluted water with fresh water, which is beneficial not only for cost reasons but also from an environmental point of view.

DE 10 2007 063 004 A1 describes a pressure filter for clarifying water from pond systems, wherein the pressure filter consists of a container with a plurality of filter particles made of plastic. If the specific weight of the filter particles is smaller than that of the water to be clarified, the water is passed from above through containers, whereas if the specific gravity is higher, the water to be clarified flows from below. This should on the one hand ensures a sufficient volume of voids to settle the impurities and on the other hand, the required pump power can be reduced. It is also described that settle on the surface of the filter particles purifying bacteria that biologically convert the organic constituents of the impurities. There is no indication of the nature of the bacteria. However, it is known that organic residues in the water, such as. As plant components are decomposed by certain bacteria under oxygen consumption.

An exclusively biological water purification process describes DE 10 2008 022 388 A1 , wherein wire mesh baskets - so-called gabions - are placed in the water to be purified, which are equipped with filter particles. The filter particles are Zeobaktelith, which is a zeolite on the inner surface of which a mixture of bacteria has been artificially immobilized, which degrades substances such as nitrate in water, as in DE 198 33 295 A1 is described. Details on the type of bacteria are not found. However, it is known and used in biological water treatment that bacteria, so-called denitrifiers, nitrite and nitrate anaerobically convert to molecular nitrogen. According to DE 10 2008 022 388 A1 the natural low flow is utilized in the water area to be cleaned, being waived on a forced flow except for cases of extreme water pollution.

The object discussed above is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a filter system is used with which both mechanical and biological filtering can be carried out in an efficient yet simple manner.

The filter system according to the invention comprises a container with inlet for the supply of contaminated water and a drain for discharge of purified water and a container bottom, the container having at least one sieve-like intermediate bottom with a filter bed of zeolite, wherein the at least one sieve-like intermediate bottom is spaced from the container bottom , and the inlet between the container bottom and bottom sieve-like intermediate floor and the drain is located above a top sieve-like false bottom, the zeolite in operation with nitrifying bacteria and Denitrifikanten is populated. In addition, means are provided to effect a water flow or water flow from bottom to top to the drain.

The zeolite may already be colonized with the corresponding bacterial species. If a zeolite is used in which these bacterial species are not yet present, they populate the zeolite by itself from the natural environment within a short run-in period of the filter system. This means that these types of bacteria are present during operation of the plant, at least after a break-in period. Preferably, the zeolite has already been inoculated with the desired bacteria before starting the operation.

According to the invention, a defined flow through the container is provided with water from bottom to top. "Defined" in the sense of the present invention means that the amount of water passed through a container of a given size is adjustable per unit of time and as needed. If the flow rate is too low, the performance of the filter system is insufficient. If the flow rate is too large, the flow is too fast and there is a risk that the cleaning effect is not sufficient. In addition, the flow rate determined by the size of the respective container and thus the diameter of the filter bed. It is understood that larger flow rates can be selected for larger tanks than for smaller tanks. For the guidance of the water through the container suitable means, such as. As commercial pumps are used.

According to the invention, zeolite is used as filter material. Zeolite is an aluminosilicate with a crystal lattice that has pores and channels. Due to its special structure, zeolite can act equally as a biological and mechanical filter.

For example, zeolite is an excellent carrier for the nitrifying agents that convert ammonium to nitrite or nitrate, as well as for denitrifiers that convert nitrite and nitrate into molecular nitrogen.

The nitrifying agents, which are aerobic and require oxygen for the reaction, settle predominantly on the surface and the denitrifiers, which are anaerobic, preferably in the interior of the zeolite.

Smaller cross-section molecules than the pore openings of the zeolite are trapped in the cavities, while larger molecules can not penetrate. In this way, zeolite can filter out numerous harmful substances from the water, which are retained in the cavities of its interior adsorbed.

Another filtering effect can be achieved with zeolite due to its ion exchange nature. Here, the free cations of the zeolite framework are displaced by cations from the environment with higher binding affinity, so that bind cations with higher binding affinity to the zeolite framework.

Conventional alkali or alkaline earth zeolites can be used with Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , Na ¹⁺ and K ¹⁺ as examples of the free-floating cations, but also zeolites with other free cations as needed. With these zeolites, heavy metal ions, such as iron III, mercury II, lead II, cesium I, copper II and strontium II ions, as well as ammonium, etc., can be removed from the water. In addition, zeolite can be used to adsorb and remove further undesired, possibly toxic constituents, such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, phenols, by the molecular sieve action. Floating algae and sediments can also be removed with the help of zeolite.

Zeolite thus provides a versatile and efficient acting filter material for open waters such as ponds, especially fish ponds. Another advantage is that zeolite, when it is consumed, so it is completely loaded with foreign substances, can be easily regenerated or purified , For example, the cleaning can be done by rinsing with 10% saline. Therefore, zeolite can be used for almost unlimited periods of time for both biological and mechanical filtration.

According to the invention, natural or synthetic zeolite can be used as filter material. Two or more zeolite types can be mixed and / or used in different filter beds. A particularly preferred zeolite according to the invention is clinoptolite.

The zeolite is preferably used as granules, wherein the grain size can be varied according to need and application. Suitable particle sizes for filter materials such. As zeolite in the application for the purification of water are known per se. In practice, a grain size between 4 and 8 mm has been proven.

If the bacteria settling on and in the zeolite are flushed out during regeneration, the zeolite may be inoculated with appropriate bacterial strains before reuse. Inoculation is preferred, but not mandatory, since the corresponding bacterial strains occur in nature and colonize the zeolite in a short time when resuming use as a filter material.

The zeolite may, according to one embodiment, be accommodated in one or more containers, the containers having apertures having a size suitable for retaining the zeolite but, on the other hand, permitting the passage of water and contaminants. The containers can be made of a synthetic or natural material. For example, the containers may be filter bags which are formed from a correspondingly wide-meshed material and / or in which correspondingly sized holes are provided.

In addition to the zeolite material, other filter materials can be used, as are common in garden pond or other water filters. These may be water-permeable polymers or webs of synthetic or natural materials, fibrous filter materials, foams or other fabrics with filtering action. Examples are filter mats such as Japan filter mats or foam filter mats. These different filter materials can different filter finenesses such. As coarse, medium or fine filter effect. Combinations of these with different filter finenesses can be used.

The container used for the filter system according to the invention may have any cross-sectional shape. For example, it can be round, angular, oval, etc. The container bottom and the top or the upper opening of the container may have a different diameter. For example, the container bottom may have a smaller diameter than the top or the upper opening of the container, so that the container tapers from top to bottom. The container may be open or closed at the top.

The material from which the container is made, in principle, no special restrictions. If it is intended to use the container in water, however, a material sufficiently stable to water should be used. Examples of suitable materials are wood, metal, a mineral material or plastic or a combination thereof. Plastic is preferred since plastic is stable and yet lightweight. The filter system according to the invention may comprise two or more containers.

The container of the filter system according to the invention may have one or more intermediate floors on which the zeolite material and / or optionally further filter material is located. The shelves extend over the entire container cross-section to the wall. They are screen-shaped with openings to allow undisturbed flow and access of water and contaminants to the zeolite material. The material for the sieve-like shelves is not critical. It may be wood, metal, a mineral material or plastic or a combination thereof.

The shelves can be kept in place by means of spacers, the spacers supporting the respective intermediate floor with respect to the container bottom or the intermediate shelf underneath. The spacers can be made of any material such as wood, metal, mineral material such as stone or plastic. It may be any suitable shape such as rectangular or cylindrical. Preferably, the spacers in the horizontal direction openings for the flow of water. A particularly simple type of spacer is the use of perforated bricks such as those commercially available as porotonics. Instead of or in addition to the spacers, other means may be provided for mounting, such as screws, nails or attached to the container wall supports for laying the shelves.

The purification of zeolite material to remove contaminants deposited thereon, and in particular the regeneration, may cause the bacteria settling on and in the zeolite material to be flushed out or even destroyed. According to one embodiment, therefore, the filter container according to the invention contains two or more intermediate floors with zeolite material, wherein at least one intermediate bottom of the biological purification and at least one further intermediate bottom of the mechanical cleaning is used. Only the filter floors, which are intended for mechanical cleaning, are cleaned and, in particular, regenerated. The filter trays for biological purification are rinsed if necessary, for example, with water. The bacteria remain predominantly preserved and the filter material can be used immediately for biological purification.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a care concept that is particularly suitable for garden ponds. According to the concept of the invention, a biological and mechanical filtering is also carried out in winter, whereby the filtering takes place under water. Even in winter, a sufficient supply of oxygen must be ensured in a body of water such as a garden pond, especially in fish stocking. Sufficient oxygen is required for survival of the stocking fish. Also, water purification bacteria, such as nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, continue working at low temperatures, albeit at a slower rate.

In order to ensure sufficient oxygen supply, a correspondingly large water surface must be kept free of ice. This is not always easy, especially in ponds with shallow depths. The exchange of air or the keeping clear of a water surface of ice should take place as quietly as possible so as not to disturb the resting fish and other pond creatures.

According to the invention, the biological and mechanical filtration continue in the winter under water. By filtering under water with the filter system according to the invention and the associated water flow on the one hand a sufficiently large water surface can be kept free of ice. On the other hand, impurities, harmful substances and decomposition products, eg. B. from the degradation of organic matter, by the bacteria located in the pond, which are incurred or formed in winter, removed.

The filtering according to the invention, even in winter, not only ensures sufficient oxygen supply, but also prevents accumulation of impurities, degradation products and harmful substances which could adversely affect life in the pond. Thus, the filtration according to the invention contributes in the winter to an intact pond life.

Preferably, the filter system is set in the filtering in winter so that in shallow ponds, the stratification of the water is not disturbed too much. In deeper ponds, it is advantageous to limit the filtration to a depth of up to 70 cm and not operate the filter system in deeper water areas in order to avoid affecting or destroying the depth stratification of the water.

It shows

1 : An embodiment of a filter system according to the invention.

In the embodiment according to 1 the filter container has a barrel shape, whereby a conventional hardware store can be used. The barrel 1 has an enema 2 for the supply of contaminated water, a drain 3 for the discharge of purified water and a container bottom 4 , In the barrel 1 are a first lower shelf 5 with filter layer of zeolite 7 and above it, a second intermediate floor 6 with filter layer of zeolite 7 arranged.

The first lower intermediate floor 5 is at a distance from the tank bottom 4 arranged. In the embodiment shown in the figure for spacers 8th used the intermediate floor 5 support.

The spacers 8th can be made of any material. Examples of suitable materials are stone, plastic, metal, wood, mixtures thereof, etc. Preferably, the spacers have pores, channels or other through-holes which provide a water flow in the area between the container bottom 4 and first lower shelf 5 allow. For example, commercially available perforated bricks may be suitably used, for example perforated bricks such as those sold under the name "Porotonsteine". The bricks are doing so on the tank bottom 4 arranged that a flow of water through the holes in the bricks is possible.

Also the second upper intermediate floor 6 is with the help of spacers 9 against the lower first intermediate floor 5 supported. It can be the same spacers as for the lower first shelf 5 be used.

Instead of or in addition to the spacers 8th . 9 can the shelves 5 . 6 held by other holding devices in the container at a suitable height, such as nails, screws, supports on the container wall, etc ..

The shelves 5 . 6 are designed like a sieve. The sieve-like shelves can be perforated plates made of any material, for example of wood, metal, plastic, combinations thereof, etc.

On both sieve-like shelves is a filter layer of zeolite 7 , The layer of zeolite 7 works in two ways. On the one hand, impurities are mechanically retained. On the other hand, microorganisms such as bacteria, which ensure the biological purification of the water, settle on the surface and in the interior of the pores. On the surface are in particular the nitrifying bacteria, which convert ammonium into nitrite or nitrate under oxygen consumption. Preferably inside the zeolite 7 The denitrifiers, which convert the nitrite or nitrate formed by the nitrifying bacteria or otherwise into the water, convert it anaerobically, ie, with the exclusion of oxygen, into molecular nitrogen. According to the invention, this ensures that the ammonium harmful to the fish is removed. It also ensures that both nitrate and nitrite are removed, which is not only harmful to the fish, but can also undesirably lower the pH of the water.

On both sieve-like shelves is in each case a layer of zeolite 7 , The zeolite 7 is preferably housed in porous filter containers to hold it in place and to avoid unwanted discharge. The filter containers are preferably made of a fabric or similar permeable material. It may be bags but also other suitable containers.

In the figure are on the first lower shelf 5 in addition to the zeolite 7 as further filter materials 10 . 11 two layers of foam filter mats, with the lower filter foam mat 10 a coarser filtering effect than the upper filter foam mat 11 has, which can be a fine filter foam mat.

Instead of or together with the coarse filter foam mat 10 and / or fine filter foam mat 11 It is also possible to use other additional filter materials as are customary and known in garden pond and water filtration. The filter materials may be made of a synthetic or natural nonwoven material. For example, so-called Japan filter mats can be used.

Preferably, the zeolite material is used 7 on the lower filter bottom 5 biological purification. By providing the additional filter materials between filter bottom 5 and zeolite layer 7 clogging of the zeolite material with impurities is largely prevented. This has the advantage that the zeolite material for biological purification only very rarely needs to be cleaned, so that the bacteria are undisturbed.

The zeolite material 7 on the upper floor, however, is used for mechanical cleaning. Since the zeolite material has to be cleaned and / or regenerated more frequently for mechanical cleaning, the upper filter trays are preferably used for mechanical cleaning. As a result, the removal of the zeolite material for cleaning, which must be done from the top, usually easier.

The filter container 1 from 1 additionally has a cleaning process 12 in the wall between tank bottom 4 and first lower shelf 5 is admitted. This cleaning process is used to remove contaminants that accumulate on the bottom of the container 4 have sold.

As in 1 indicated, the filter container preferably has a height, so that the upper edge with opening 13 of the container 1 if it is used in a body of water, above the waterline 14 lies.

Alternatively, the container 1 be provided outside the water. In this case there are additional connecting pipes between the water and the inlet 2 or spout 3 and waters. The pipe cross-sections of the connecting pipes should be sufficient considering the capacity of the filter tank 1 be dimensioned. For example, can be provided for a filter tank volume from 200 liters, a connecting line cross-section in the order of 40 mm. Depending on requirements, however, deviating cable cross-sections can of course be selected.

To aid cleaning, a mechanically clean pre-filter, such as a vortex filter, may be used on the filter bowl 1 be upstream. The vortex filter can be designed as a pressure filter. Especially if the filter container 1 is provided outside of a body of water, the interposition of a mechanically clean pre-filter between container 1 and waters of advantage.

Depending on requirements, two or more filter containers ( 1 ). These can be operated independently of each other or alternatively connected to each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 filter container

2

 water inlet

3

 water drain

4

 container bottom

5

 first lower intermediate floor

6

 second intermediate floor

7

 Filtering layer of zeolite

8th

 Spacer for supporting the first lower shelf

9

 Spacer for supporting the second upper shelf

10

 Filter foam mat, coarse

11

 Filter foam mat, fine

12

 cleaning process

13

 upper container opening

14

 waterline

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007063004 A1 [0007]
• DE 102008022388 A1 [0008, 0008]
• DE 19833295 A1 [0008]

Claims (11)

Filter system for water purification, in particular of ponds or pond-like waters, comprising at least one filter container ( 1 ) with a water inlet ( 2 ), a water drain ( 3 ) and a container bottom ( 4 ), wherein in the at least one filter container ( 1 ) at least one sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 . 6 ) arranged from the container bottom ( 4 ), and wherein on at least one sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 . 6 ) a filter bed of zeolite ( 7 ) is provided as a filter material, wherein the water inlet ( 2 ) between tank bottom ( 4 ) and sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 ) and the water drain ( 3 ) above an upper sieve-like intermediate floor ( 6 ) and a means for guiding the water through the water inlet ( 2 ) up to the water outlet ( 3 ). Filter system according to claim 1, wherein the zeolite ( 7 ) is colonized with nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria. Filter installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on at least one sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 . 6 ) one of zeolite ( 7 ) Various filter material is provided. Filter installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on at least one intermediate floor ( 5 . 6 ) in addition to the zeolite ( 7 ) at least one further filter material ( 10 . 11 ) is provided. Filter system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one additional filter material ( 10 . 11 ) on the sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 . 6 ) below the filter bed of zeolite ( 7 ) is arranged. Filter installation according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least two additional filter materials ( 10 . 11 ) are provided, wherein a filter material has a coarser filtering effect than the other. Filter system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filter container ( 1 ) is preceded by a mechanically clean pre-filter. Filter installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the zeolite ( 7 ) is housed in one or more water-permeable containers. Filter installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the zeolite ( 7 ) on at least one sieve-like intermediate floor ( 5 ) of biological purification and zeolite ( 7 ) on at least one other sieve-like intermediate bottom of the mechanical cleaning is used. Use of a filter system according to one of claims 1 to 8 for the water purification of ponds or pond-like waters with fish stocking. Method for the care of ponds or pond-like waters, in particular with fish stocking, wherein the filter plant is operated for filtering under water in winter to keep the water surface at least partially free of ice and to clean the water biologically and mechanically.

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