TWYOUNG
Well-Known Member
I received my microbiome report on my 9mo tank today. It promises to give me information on improving the balance score but I'm unable to locate those suggestions. Can someone help me interpret these scores please.
Analyzing Microbiome Report
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So, it looks like the suggestions to increase your "Balance Score" are going to be found by clicking the "these notes" link at the bottom of the first page you shared (the last words on the page I quoted).
As far as interpreting the results go, your "Diversity Score" shows that you have about the same number of different kinds of bacteria as the average reef tank, and your "Balance Score" shows that you have different than average amounts of the kinds of bacteria in your tank (so you have more of some kinds of bacteria than the average reef tank, and you have less of other kinds of bacteria than the average reef tank).
Speaking bluntly here, having done a fair amount of studying up on marine bacteria myself, I seriously doubt that we know enough about the individual, different kinds of bacteria in our tanks and their interactions with things in our tanks to know if you should want to "increase" your "Balance Score" - especially since many families of bacteria have both known beneficial and known detrimental/pathogenic species in them (including species that may disease your corals) and this report only lists families of bacteria found in tanks. In other words, I don't think we know enough to say that the average reef tank has the best microbiome/bacterial community to aim for - yours might just be better than the average for all we know. So, changing the quantities of bacteria in your tank's microbiome to more closely match the average reef tank may be beneficial for your tank, or it may be detrimental to your tank - I genuinely doubt we know enough about the bacteria involved to know for sure one way or another at this point.
well said. I find those tests just about useless for reefing setups
*dna sampling as a gen 1 setup/what this is/ isn't very relevant in my opinion. on gen 10, when the sampling is much more reflective of group impacts in reef tanks the sampling may very well be helpful in reef planning. today I find the readings from those tests 0% able to be used in any meaningful way. you'd be better off setting a chunk of tank cured coralline-covered live rock in your setup/if that already exists forego the testing until gen 10 home tests are available. it's a fad, playing up on the appeal of anything 'dna'
*dna sampling as a gen 1 setup/what this is/ isn't very relevant in my opinion. on gen 10, when the sampling is much more reflective of group impacts in reef tanks the sampling may very well be helpful in reef planning. today I find the readings from those tests 0% able to be used in any meaningful way. you'd be better off setting a chunk of tank cured coralline-covered live rock in your setup/if that already exists forego the testing until gen 10 home tests are available. it's a fad, playing up on the appeal of anything 'dna'
areefer01
2500 Club Member
I received my microbiome report on my 9mo tank today. It promises to give me information on improving the balance score but I'm unable to locate those suggestions. Can someone help me interpret these scores please.
My recommendation is to reply to the email and ask follow-up questions as it relates to your test. You won't get what you are looking for on this forum or another more than likely. Eli and team are both approachable and responsive.
Also as noted above there are embedded links that will take to you the next page to discuss. Also note that Eli will send a follow up email (if he hasn't already) talking to you about your results in more detail. It sounds like you have not received that yet and asking about the initial results. Cart before the horse.
the limitations as I see them:
there is no additive nor selected doser to cure any condition stated in the tests. anything added just drifts back into claimed spec or non spec based on natural selection
there is no additive nor selected doser to cure any condition stated in the tests. anything added just drifts back into claimed spec or non spec based on natural selection
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cpschult
Valuable Member
gen 10 at home genetic sequencing eh? LOL.
I think their testing is fascinating. I wish they could go to the species level but it would probably add at least another $100-200 per. I don’t see anyone paying $2000-$4000 for isolation and sequencing.
It’s an interesting snapshot of bacterial fauna in their reef.
Anyone know what tech they are using?
areefer01
2500 Club Member
Help me understand the point by your post. Based on what I'm reading you have no idea what the tests offer nor what is in the report.
I'm curious what credentials you may have to validate though.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
I'm not sure if Eli lists it but you can do a search on aquabiomics and read a bit on the portal. There are also a few videos that Eli talks about it.
The part that is missing in the OP's post is Eli's direct message to them talking about the results in detail. Thus the cart before the horse comment. It is a follow up email.
I simply want to see what Eli has to say about remediation
I want to see if it sounds sales pitchy, or aligns with statements Randy and other people make in the chemistry forum that I track. What Dan_P writes factors heavily in counter balancing sales claims. I want to see how much Eli aligns or disaligns with those respected / free/ not for charge opinionists.
I want to see if it sounds sales pitchy, or aligns with statements Randy and other people make in the chemistry forum that I track. What Dan_P writes factors heavily in counter balancing sales claims. I want to see how much Eli aligns or disaligns with those respected / free/ not for charge opinionists.
TWYOUNG
Well-Known Member
So are you saying the part detailing suggestions for improving the "balance" of my young tank will come in a separate email because I see nothing specific in this one? I'm also seeing comments suggesting I'll be offered the "opportunity" to purchase product from them, likely coral rubble.
that is directly a sales loop, to move from testing to the cure / in the form of rubble.
the claim to fame on their rubble is that it's disease-free/verified. anyone can produce that equal rubble by fallowing out coralline-lined rock chunks for 90 days, and skip testing.
the claim to fame on their rubble is that it's disease-free/verified. anyone can produce that equal rubble by fallowing out coralline-lined rock chunks for 90 days, and skip testing.
TWYOUNG
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the detailed analysis. The "these notes" link is very generic, I've attached it here. I'm hearing I'll receive further information which will include detailed suggestions possibly offering to sell me some coral rubble. I also sent a DNA sample which is supposed to identify pathogens in the tank. I'll post that when I get it and perhaps it will provide more useful information.
Attachments
areefer01
2500 Club Member
You should receive the initial email with the report. Usually there is a follow up email that he talks about the results with you. At least that is how the process worked for me.
Coral or reef/rock rubble is a product they offer. Same if you purchased rubble from a LFS, hobbyist, live rock vendor, or any other. The difference between them is that aquabiomics does their test and provide the report so you know there are no disease or pests or pathogens. They are not telling you to buy it - they are offering it for sale should you choose to buy it. In short it is separate.
Your display is 9 months old. I don't know how it was started, dry rock, live rock, combination, rock cured in a tub, etc. I'm not sure I'd worry too much about diversity at this stage of its live but rather focus on the cycle and maturity cadence of it. There is no rush as you know because reefs are built up over years gone by.
Again note the test, and results, are for a look inside your display. Not to sell you a product. If you choose to try and amp up the diversity at a faster rate then you can of course buy live rock (TBS, KP Aquatics) or reef rubble from various sources and introduce to your display. However know it takes time to move from A to B.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
As it relates to their claim to fame you couldn't be further from the truth and have no idea what you are talking about. It is all about the microbiome and if the display has any undesirable pathogens. Again I encourage you to do a bit of searching and watch a few of Eli's talks.
The rubble they offer obviously has tests run against it to show it is clean. I would encourage any and all wholesalers, retail, aquaculture farms, QT vendors and side hustles to provide a similar report quarterly (at a minimum). As it relates to trying to boost the tank's microbiome there are many ways to do that which includes patience.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
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My Tank Thread
A thought question that no one can answer:
Is it advantageous, disadvantageous, or just neutral to get your set of bacteria to look more like an average of other tanks?
Is it advantageous, disadvantageous, or just neutral to get your set of bacteria to look more like an average of other tanks?
areefer
it's your right to be his advocate/ This is how far back Eli and I go, I'm very very aware of his claims which is why I wanted to see his collective responses:
www.reef2reef.com
it's your right to be his advocate/ This is how far back Eli and I go, I'm very very aware of his claims which is why I wanted to see his collective responses:
Instant Tank Cycle
Set up my tank Friday. Placed a sizeable chunk of frozen brine shrimp into the filter sock to stop it messing up the tank. Saturday PM Ammonia is 0 Saturday PM added another chunk of frozen brine shrimp different area of sump. Added seeded live rock from other tanks also. Sunday PM Ammonia...
www.reef2reef.com
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TWYOUNG
Well-Known Member
Or even possible? At this early stage I'd be pleased if my TANK "looked" as good as the average tank. As you stated, not sure if having my bacteria match those other tanks will lead to my display looking as attractive.
