Some nitrate batceria questions

[Polar_Bus]

I am in the process of cleaning a 90 gallon "lack of maintenence" aquarium. This tank is SO SKANKED!! Everything I dissasemble to clean has a HUGE amount of thick brown sludge adheared to it. Is this sludge the nitrate bacteria that breaks down ammonia? My last question is I have a 5 gallon pail about 1/2 full with gravel and sand and water. Should I use this gravel in my new setup, or is this not a good idea? Thanks,
Rich

 

[Jchillin]

No, that sludge is just what it is...sludge. There may be a lot of bacterial colonies living in it but it is useless in terms of trying to save it.

Where did this gravel come from?

 

[Polar_Bus]

No, that sludge is just what it is...sludge. There may be a lot of bacterial colonies living in it but it is useless in terms of trying to save it.

Where did this gravel come from?

The gravel is a small amount left over that was actually in use in the tank. I threw most of the gravel out, as I had no place to store it while I moved the tank. Ever try to lift a 90G tank with 2" of gravel in the bottom????!!!! Screw that, I would have ended up in the ER.

 

[Jchillin]

I can't imagine trying to move something that large. That gravel should be fine.