Bacteria?

[NanaReefer]

Hi Randy

Is there any home product I can use to boost the bacteria in my tank?
Within the past 3 months I've used ChemiClean and most recently Vibrant. Reasons seem to be fixed but now I'm left with new ones. Cyano or Spirulina not sure which one.
Bacterias in a bottle are not within my budget.

 

[Joey waid]

I just bought a bottle for 8.00. They may have a smaller size for less.

 

[Joey waid]

I just bought a bottle for 8.00. They may have a smaller size for less.

It's just seed, but I'm sure you know all that.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi Randy

Is there any home product I can use to boost the bacteria in my tank?
Within the past 3 months I've used ChemiClean and most recently Vibrant. Reasons seem to be fixed but now I'm left with new ones. Cyano or Spirulina not sure which one.
Bacterias in a bottle are not within my budget.

vinegar. vodka. Vitamin c(id have to check to see witch one). All carbon dosing. Peroxide.
Id let that tanks sit though, as I really don't know what it does yte and I have doing two things at once. Cyano seems to be a side effect of vibrant is some tanks fwiw
a few folks are using vibrant and peroxide Ive read, Ill wait and see how that goes in their tanks, and not mine tank you.


edit, sorry Q was for Randy not me. Ignore.

 

[NanaReefer]

No you're fine answering. Like to know what others are doing as well. I thought Vodka/Vinegar were used to lower NO3/PO4. Are they also a form of bacteria?

 

[Joey waid]

No you're fine answering. Like to know what others are doing as well. I thought Vodka/Vinegar were used to lower NO3/PO4. Are they also a form of bacteria?

My understanding It feeds it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No you're fine answering. Like to know what others are doing as well. I thought Vodka/Vinegar were used to lower NO3/PO4. Are they also a form of bacteria?

Yes it feeds the bacteria and they multiply and that lowers nutrients.
It's increasing the size of the biofilter so to speak by increasing the size of the bacterial populations

 

[NanaReefer]

Ok well I definitely do not want to go the vodka route, to time consuming. I'll just let them multiply on their own I guess.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Problem is, organic carbon dosing can also drive the growth of cyano if it is a species that can consume the organic you add.

If you want to add bacteria, one way is to get some bacteria from a friend dosing the same organics (or from someone not dosing, but that is harder). They can collect in large numbers on GAC, for example.

 

[NanaReefer]

Thanks Randy. I actually do know someone close by who isn't dosing organic. I'm actually picking up some chaeto from him on Friday. Maybe I'll ask him for a small piece of LR too [emoji2]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy. I actually do know someone close by who isn't dosing organic. I'm actually picking up some chaeto from him on Friday. Maybe I'll ask him for a small piece of LR too [emoji2]

Or even just detritus.

 

[Paul B]

I scoop up this mud at low tide and throw it in my tank, but it is a little far from you and most people (especially Randy) would frown on that.

 

[jason2459]

Or sneeze in the general direction of your tank...

There's lots of bacteria around that will populate your tank. Just have to have some patience. I'm also not a fan of a sterile tank.

 

[NanaReefer]

I think I'll wait another week or two before my next WC. I really do think my tank it to clean.