Beneficial Bacteria Replenishment?

[MizTanks]

I'm looking for a somewhat easy way to replenish the beneficial bacteria in my tank. Do not want to Vodka dose, nor do I have the funds for a pellet reactor. Are there any commercial liquid/powder forms out there that are worth using? Something like SeaChem Stability?

[EMUreef]

I'm looking for a somewhat easy way to replenish the beneficial bacteria in my tank. Do not want to Vodka dose, nor do I have the funds for a pellet reactor. Are there any commercial liquid/powder forms out there that are worth using? Something like SeaChem Stability?

why do you wanna replenish them? i didn't think you could actually run out of the good bacteria.

In any case you'd wanna look at brightwells Microbacter 7

[larryandlaura]

Once you start using mb7 you have to keep using it. Talk to Andy he is a expert on the issue.

[MizTanks]

why do you wanna replenish them? i didn't think you could actually run out of the good bacteria.

In any case you'd wanna look at brightwells Microbacter 7

Read this article that really got me thinking: Reefs Magazine - Nutrient Export--Old Problem, New Solutions (http://www.reefsmagazine.com/forum/reefs-magazine/111401-nutrient-export-old-problem-new-solutions.html)

---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------


Once you start using mb7 you have to keep using it. Talk to Andy he is a expert on the issue.

I don't want to have to do it everyday :(

[Sir Patrick]

MB7 doesnt have to be done every day. It can be, but doesnt have to be.

---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:35 AM ----------


Once you start using mb7 you have to keep using it. Talk to Andy he is a expert on the issue.

I hope Andy chimes in. I would like to know why you need to keep using it, and cant stop, once started. Doesnt sound like anything i have experianced/heard about.

[lemonyx]

tagging along

[larryandlaura]

I belive but im not sure that the bacteria you add without mb7 compares with the natural bacteria already in your tank. And when you stop dosing may get a small spike or algae bloom. Once you start using it its best to continue.

[Sir Patrick]

I cant say I have noticed this. I have used it over a year strait, and then stopped a few times, only to add it on occasion- with no ill effects. I dose it every now and then these days. Once you hit a low nutrient area in your tank you can dose it on occasion to maintain.

[MizTanks]

I belive but im not sure that the bacteria you add without mb7 compares with the natural bacteria already in your tank. And when you stop dosing may get a small spike or algae bloom. Once you start using it its best to continue.

That makes sense :) The article I read touches on The Berlin Method and how the LR in our tanks can get *old* which makes sense to me too. It mostly talks about export of no2/no3 and po4 via the bacteria and I'd like to stay as close to the natural as possible. Vodka and Mb7 just don't seem right to me :)

[Sir Patrick]

I thought bacteria dosing was as close to natural as it gets, as far as po4/no3 export.

[EMUreef]

That makes sense :) The article I read touches on The Berlin Method and how the LR in our tanks can get *old* which makes sense to me too. It mostly talks about export of no2/no3 and po4 via the bacteria and I'd like to stay as close to the natural as possible. Vodka and Mb7 just don't seem right to me :)

so this whole thread is moot since you think MB7 isn't right. as far as additives go for bacteria, its all not gonna be natural. And from the article i still dont understand how bacteria can get old and needs to be replaced.

[WillBattle]

I thought bacteria dosing was as close to natural as it gets, as far as po4/no3 export.

I thought this as well. I try not to get into things like 'natural and unnatural'. As sweet as fish tanks are, nothing seems too 'natural' about them to me, just things shipped across the world into our personal glass boxs. I just try to figure what has worked best for others and go from there.

[larryandlaura]

so this whole thread is moot since you think MB7 isn't right. as far as additives go for bacteria, its all not gonna be natural. And from the article i still dont understand how bacteria can get old and needs to be replaced.

Are you a mb7 user?

[EMUreef]

Are you a mb7 user?

on my nano yes as it doesn't have a skimmer or anything and im having an algae issue, which has been slowly going away.

[larryandlaura]

on my nano yes as it doesn't have a skimmer or anything and im having an algae issue, which has been slowly going away.

How long have you used it? And what's ingest stretch in between doses?

---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------


on my nano yes as it doesn't have a skimmer or anything and im having an algae issue, which has been slowly going away.

How long have you used it? And what's longest stretch in between doses?

[EMUreef]

How long have you used it? And what's ingest stretch in between doses?

---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------



How long have you used it? And what's longest stretch in between doses?

been using it a couple weeks now, and i dose it everyday might of missed a day every now and than

[MizTanks]

:tornado: :doomed::flamethrower:

[Tricky2484]

Hey miz look at a company called microlift i believe it is. they make some bacteria products of live cultures.

[rosebud161616]

I'm a huge fan of Prodibio's BioDigest. They're small vials of of live bacteria that are packed with nitrogen gas so that they have something to continue to feed on while they're bottled. I highly recommend it, but it's not the cheapest stuff in the world. It does not have to be added daily. I think they recommend it weekly if you're going to dose constantly, but can be used as needed.

[slapshot]

I have been using and am very happy with MICROBE-LIFT- Special Blend. I had a noticable increase in the clarity of my water. Unlike MB-7 it for sure contains anerobic bacteria because it has a sulfer smell. They are the ones that get rid of nitrate and phosphate. I can't explain the science but I can tell you my water looks clearer and I believe it is a better supplement for the biopellets I use.

[Ron Reefman]

I thought vodka dosing was to export nitrate and phosphate, not replenish bacteria? How or why do you think you need to replenish the bacteria?

[jimsflies]

I thought vodka dosing was to export nitrate and phosphate, not replenish bacteria? How or why do you think you need to replenish the bacteria?

Vodka dosing helps increase the bacteria levels in a tank beyond what would be achieved "normally"...which then helps remove nitrate/phosphates because there are more bacteria.

[MizTanks]

Here's what I gleaned from an article I read about our LR and the beneficial bacteria that live within it. Note: The way I understand it :)

Our live rock gets old and should on occasion be replaced with newer more lively live rock. Well I don't want to replace *any* of my LR so I was looking for a way to replenish the bacteria. Note: I'm not having an issue with nitrates at all. I do now understand more why peoples dose Vodka or Mb7. For the beneficial bacteria. So I guess my questions been answered :)

[schminksbro]

Actually in a healthy reef system your rock gets more "mature". The bacteria populations increase as a tank ages. The result is typically a much more stable tank that is able to process more nutrients than a younger tank. I have found that systems seem to hit their stride at around 1 year.

Here's what I gleaned from an article I read about our LR and the beneficial bacteria that live within it. Note: The way I understand it :)

Our live rock gets old and should on occasion be replaced with newer more lively live rock. Well I don't want to replace *any* of my LR so I was looking for a way to replenish the bacteria. Note: I'm not having an issue with nitrates at all. I do now understand more why peoples dose Vodka or Mb7. For the beneficial bacteria. So I guess my questions been answered :)

[larryandlaura]

Thanks for chiming in Andy!

[MizTanks]

Thank you Andy :)

[larryandlaura]

What are your plans now Jamie?

[MizTanks]

What are your plans now Jamie?

To keep doing what I'm doing as its working :)

[binford4000]

Actually in a healthy reef system your rock gets more "mature". The bacteria populations increase as a tank ages. The result is typically a much more stable tank that is able to process more nutrients than a younger tank. I have found that systems seem to hit their stride at around 1 year.

This is a great statement and so true,Your tank is fairly young and it has been my experience that rock replacement is not needed tell around eight to nine years and then it is only a matter of exchangeing a few large rocks a year.I find vodka is benifical for sure in sevral aspect's but a healthy fish population pooping around the ol reef will do wonders too LOL Consider it organic fertilzer for your corals :jester: