breeding beneficial bacteria. - Aquarium Advice

amitnarain · 08-10-2005, 04:05 PM

hello.

do u think that if i put some pieces of sponge underneath my gravel (if i hide the sponge under my gravel) it will help develop more beneficial bacteria for the tank?

will the sponge act as medium for the beneficial bacteria boom?

Puriti · 08-10-2005, 04:06 PM

sounds like it might but I'm no expert at bacteria stuff ^^;

Jchillin · 08-10-2005, 04:18 PM

You are correct. The sponge will eventually become enriched with bacterial colonies. Of course, you don't need to do this, the gravel becomes just a colonized.

amitnarain · 08-10-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

The sponge will eventually become enriched with bacterial colonies. Of course, you don't need to do this, the gravel becomes just a colonized

wont it be better to place the pieces of sponge below?
wont the concentration of beneficial bacteria be greater than that in the gravel?

**Fluff** · 08-10-2005, 04:42 PM

The way I understand it is, every surface in the tank gets colonized so, even if you just float the sponge (this is how I do it), it will get colonized, just not as dirty as if in the gravel.

Toirtis · 08-10-2005, 04:47 PM

One major caveat...if you do not have that sponge well-aerated (via an airstone underneath or some such), the only bacteria you are likely to grow in that manner will be anaerobic, and that you do not want.

Jchillin · 08-10-2005, 04:49 PM

Think of it this way...if you are adding more surface area, you will have more bacteria. Decorations are also a part of this matrix. If you bury it under the gravel, it will become colonized, just far more slowly. You can accomplish the same by adding an equal amount of gravel.

If you do this with a particular aquascape in mind (ie: a sloping gravel bed), then by all means...go for it.

Though this could create an pocket of anaerobic gas.

The fishinator · 08-10-2005, 05:20 PM

I agree with toirtis. It really won't help you in the long run and it could cause more damage than good.

amitnarain · 08-10-2005, 05:32 PM

ok. thanks.

what about floating the sponge?
is it also anearobic?

**Fluff** · 08-10-2005, 05:33 PM

No, floating is fine. They are just saying burying it in the gravel is a bad idea.

08-10-2005, 04:05 PM	#1
amitnarain Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mauritius Is. Posts: 269	breeding beneficial bacteria. hello. do u think that if i put some pieces of sponge underneath my gravel (if i hide the sponge under my gravel) it will help develop more beneficial bacteria for the tank? will the sponge act as medium for the beneficial bacteria boom?

08-10-2005, 04:18 PM	#3
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	You are correct. The sponge will eventually become enriched with bacterial colonies. Of course, you don't need to do this, the gravel becomes just a colonized. __________________ _________________________________

08-10-2005, 04:42 PM	#5
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,170 Images: 29	The way I understand it is, every surface in the tank gets colonized so, even if you just float the sponge (this is how I do it), it will get colonized, just not as dirty as if in the gravel. __________________ ~Cindy

08-10-2005, 04:47 PM	#6
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	One major caveat...if you do not have that sponge well-aerated (via an airstone underneath or some such), the only bacteria you are likely to grow in that manner will be anaerobic, and that you do not want. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

08-10-2005, 04:49 PM	#7
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	Think of it this way...if you are adding more surface area, you will have more bacteria. Decorations are also a part of this matrix. If you bury it under the gravel, it will become colonized, just far more slowly. You can accomplish the same by adding an equal amount of gravel. If you do this with a particular aquascape in mind (ie: a sloping gravel bed), then by all means...go for it. Though this could create an pocket of anaerobic gas. __________________ _________________________________

08-10-2005, 04:06 PM	#2
Puriti Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,596	sounds like it might but I'm no expert at bacteria stuff ^^;

08-10-2005, 05:20 PM	#8
The fishinator Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NY, USA Posts: 7	I agree with toirtis. It really won't help you in the long run and it could cause more damage than good.

08-10-2005, 05:32 PM	#9
amitnarain Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mauritius Is. Posts: 269	ok. thanks. what about floating the sponge? is it also anearobic?

08-10-2005, 05:33 PM	#10
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,170 Images: 29	No, floating is fine. They are just saying burying it in the gravel is a bad idea. __________________ ~Cindy

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
beneficial to raise LR off sand??	unda_da_sea	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	3	10-23-2006 02:38 PM
Does a UV sterilizer kill beneficial bacteria?	porcelaindoll	Saltwater Fish Only & FOWLR	7	09-24-2006 06:08 PM
what kinda macroalgae is it ? beneficial ?	angmoh	Saltwater & Reef - Identification	1	05-30-2005 10:33 PM
question about beneficial bacteria	Gordinho80	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	03-18-2005 08:10 PM
Will Beneficial Bacteria Die w/ No Source of Ammonia?	TygGer	Freshwater & Brackish - Getting Started	7	06-03-2004 01:48 PM