Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP

desiknow · 07-30-2007, 05:44 PM

Where is the good bacteria in a tank?

is it in...

Live Rock
Bio Balls (or filtration )
Sand
Water (what about water changes) ???

I know there is a little bit in every part but I am trying to ask where the bulk is.

I am asking because I me and my wife both got a 14 g Bio Cube for our office and the Store offered to give us some of there Bio Balls they keep with the live rock to speed up the process.

Is that right?

I thought out of all the places for bacterial to be would be the BioBalls, thats where people would replace with balls with something like a skimmer.

Right?

BigAl07 · 07-30-2007, 05:56 PM

Where is the good bacteria in a tank?

is it in...

Live RockYes for SURE
Bio Balls (or filtration ) Yes but they create Nitrates that will overcome your tank if it's a REEF tank
Sand Oh Yes
Water (what about water changes) ??? Yes but not enough to worry about

I know there is a little bit in every part but I am trying to ask where the bulk is.Bulk is in LR and Live Sand

I am asking because I me and my wife both got a 14 g Bio Cube for our office and the Store offered to give us some of there Bio Balls they keep with the live rock to speed up the process.Ditch the BIO-balls if your tank isn't already cycled.. if it has... remove them over a period of several weeks to allow the bacteria to build up to replace them

Is that right?

I thought out of all the places for bacterial to be would be the BioBalls, thats where people would replace with balls with something like a skimmer.

Right?

Dentoid · 07-30-2007, 05:59 PM

Yes this is right. The bioballs will contain the aerobic bacteria that are responsible for nitrification (breakdown of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate). This bacteria colonizes surfaces where oxygen concentrations are the highest. Therefore, the bioballs will provide the seed bacteria that will colonize the rest of your tank and start the first part of the cycle. The end product of the first part of the cycle (nitrate) will begin to build-up in your tank. Then the second part of the cycle takes over or the denitrification process where nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas for export out of the water. These bacteria are anaerobic and colonize where there is no oxygen such as deep within the live rock (LR) and within a deep sand bed (DSB). The anaerobic colonies take longer to develope and are one of the reasons maturing tanks are more successful.

I've never heard of a LFS offering bioballs as starter bacterial seeds. That's a great idea. If you are planning on a reef tank then you will want to eventually do away with the bioballs all together for a more natural filtration process, namely LR and LS. However, for the initial start-up and cycling process, that's a great source of nitrifying bacteria.

BTW, Welcome to the Sanctuary!

mps9506 · 07-30-2007, 06:06 PM

the liverock and sand bed are where you want your primary bacteria growth to be. The live rock will contain the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the reduction of nitrates. This is something bioballs cannot do. What occurs with bioballs is conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates, then the process stops and the nitrates are released into the tank. Because the bioballs are great for growing aerobic bacteria, but are not conducive to maintaining a low nitrate environment for corals. That is why people remove bioballs from the all in one systems. I recomend just cycling the tank with the live rock, and remove the bioballs from the start so you don't end up cycling the tank again in the future.

desiknow · 07-30-2007, 06:24 PM

The tank I bought was already setup at the store and decked out with coral.

I couldn't pass up the deal.

...So I should start removing the BioBalls slowly? does this go for the carbon and ceramic thats in it? (they set it up kinda like a JBJ)

If your answers are YES then I would rig up a skimmer.
What do ya think?

BigAl07 · 07-30-2007, 06:44 PM

Yes I think anything like that CAN become a Nitrate Factory because it allows for the build up of "matter" which will break down and become Nitrates. I run a carbon bag in My tanks for ONE week out of FOUR and no more. Ceramic needs to go for same reasons. A skimmer is worth it's weight in GOLD my friend!!

Allen

reefman420 · 07-30-2007, 07:09 PM

yes i added a skimmer and once u see what it takes out of a tank you wont go back.i have a fowlr sucxesivlly houseing a koran angel and a sailfin tang i might add.it is def worth its wheight in gold

07-30-2007, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
desiknow Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP Where is the good bacteria in a tank? is it in... Live Rock Bio Balls (or filtration ) Sand Water (what about water changes) ??? I know there is a little bit in every part but I am trying to ask where the bulk is. I am asking because I me and my wife both got a 14 g Bio Cube for our office and the Store offered to give us some of there Bio Balls they keep with the live rock to speed up the process. Is that right? I thought out of all the places for bacterial to be would be the BioBalls, thats where people would replace with balls with something like a skimmer. Right?

07-30-2007, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP Where is the good bacteria in a tank? is it in... Live RockYes for SURE Bio Balls (or filtration ) Yes but they create Nitrates that will overcome your tank if it's a REEF tank Sand Oh Yes Water (what about water changes) ??? Yes but not enough to worry about I know there is a little bit in every part but I am trying to ask where the bulk is.Bulk is in LR and Live Sand I am asking because I me and my wife both got a 14 g Bio Cube for our office and the Store offered to give us some of there Bio Balls they keep with the live rock to speed up the process.Ditch the BIO-balls if your tank isn't already cycled.. if it has... remove them over a period of several weeks to allow the bacteria to build up to replace them Is that right? I thought out of all the places for bacterial to be would be the BioBalls, thats where people would replace with balls with something like a skimmer. Right? __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

07-30-2007, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP Yes this is right. The bioballs will contain the aerobic bacteria that are responsible for nitrification (breakdown of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate). This bacteria colonizes surfaces where oxygen concentrations are the highest. Therefore, the bioballs will provide the seed bacteria that will colonize the rest of your tank and start the first part of the cycle. The end product of the first part of the cycle (nitrate) will begin to build-up in your tank. Then the second part of the cycle takes over or the denitrification process where nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas for export out of the water. These bacteria are anaerobic and colonize where there is no oxygen such as deep within the live rock (LR) and within a deep sand bed (DSB). The anaerobic colonies take longer to develope and are one of the reasons maturing tanks are more successful. I've never heard of a LFS offering bioballs as starter bacterial seeds. That's a great idea. If you are planning on a reef tank then you will want to eventually do away with the bioballs all together for a more natural filtration process, namely LR and LS. However, for the initial start-up and cycling process, that's a great source of nitrifying bacteria. BTW, Welcome to the Sanctuary! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

07-30-2007, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,143 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP the liverock and sand bed are where you want your primary bacteria growth to be. The live rock will contain the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the reduction of nitrates. This is something bioballs cannot do. What occurs with bioballs is conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates, then the process stops and the nitrates are released into the tank. Because the bioballs are great for growing aerobic bacteria, but are not conducive to maintaining a low nitrate environment for corals. That is why people remove bioballs from the all in one systems. I recomend just cycling the tank with the live rock, and remove the bioballs from the start so you don't end up cycling the tank again in the future. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

07-30-2007, 06:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
desiknow Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP The tank I bought was already setup at the store and decked out with coral. I couldn't pass up the deal. ...So I should start removing the BioBalls slowly? does this go for the carbon and ceramic thats in it? (they set it up kinda like a JBJ) If your answers are YES then I would rig up a skimmer. What do ya think?

07-30-2007, 06:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP Yes I think anything like that CAN become a Nitrate Factory because it allows for the build up of "matter" which will break down and become Nitrates. I run a carbon bag in My tanks for ONE week out of FOUR and no more. Ceramic needs to go for same reasons. A skimmer is worth it's weight in GOLD my friend!! Allen __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

07-30-2007, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where is "Good" Bacteria in Tank??? HELP yes i added a skimmer and once u see what it takes out of a tank you wont go back.i have a fowlr sucxesivlly houseing a koran angel and a sailfin tang i might add.it is def worth its wheight in gold

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