Bio diversity

[ReefGeezer]

Increasing bacterial diversity can be difficult once other strains are established. it is just a matter of competition.
Adding a bottle that contains a small amount of bacteria is just not likely to outcompete the existing multitudes of bacteria that are already present and competing for the same space and nutrients.
Live rock at least provides a substrate where the bacteria are already well established. That MAY help in the competition. The possibility of adding pests is considerably over hyped.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

main thing i can think of is pest that maybe added. Plus I don’t have experience with doing that. So you tell me the best way to go about that

Tampa Bay Saltwater sells maricultured live rock from the ocean @LiverockRocks can tell you all about it. And pests will make it into your tank literally no matter what.

 

[Isiah1820]

In regards to pest I’ve avoided it so far. And would like to keep it that way lol. And this is not my first rodeo and had to deal with pest before.

 

[jabberwock]

That’s not my only goal. But it’s been said and a website recommended where they sell things like that. Ipsf I believe is the site. Not about to add random ocean rock lol

Best stuff in the world! You are gonna get pests anyway, no matter what you do.

Go with the GOOD STUFF!

 

[jabberwock]

Tampa Bay Saltwater sells maricultured live rock from the ocean @LiverockRocks can tell you all about it. And pests will make it into your tank literally no matter what.

That's where I got Mine! Absolutely LOVE IT!

 

[Isiah1820]

I did start with dry rock from my last tank that got dismantled when I moved to Florida.

 

[Spare time]

Cycling bacteria isn't what you want for competition. Consider pns probio, waste away, microbacter clean, or similar products (albeit pns probio is not the same as the others I mentioned and would be my preference). However, the main goal should be to add predators of the algae. Algae should be limited by predation, not nitrogen and phosphorus (especially in a younger tank).


PS Keep in mind that biodiversity (in hobby terms) is loosely defined and is often more of a superstition rather than a demonstrable idea.

 

[bnord]

Over the years I have added either large or small pieces of KP aquatics rock to tanks either at the beginning or two boost a 2+ year old tank. And all of my efforts I have only had one significant hitchhiker, and easily trapped him out. Pictures below.
I agree that it’s a great way to add bacteria different types of Coraline and other beneficial worms for the sand bed. If you are within driving distance of Tampa there’s a great option there, though I have never use them. I understand lots of folks are afraid of unwanted pests but I think the benefits outweigh the potential risks. In my opinion anyway
also, Coraline is very good at keeping algae from adhering to rocks or plugs, so if I was going to add anything from a bottle it might be a Coraline allergy boost. But personally have never tried that.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That's where I got Mine! Absolutely LOVE IT!

Mine comes from Indonesia which is only a short distance from me and is amazing coming straight out of the ocean but I've heard some great things about TBS for you guys on that side of the world!

 

[bnord]

Cycling bacteria isn't what you want for competition. Consider pns probio, waste away, microbacter clean, or similar products (albeit pns probio is not the same as the others I mentioned and would be my preference). However, the main goal should be to add predators of the algae. Algae should be limited by predation, not nitrogen and phosphorus (especially in a younger tank).


PS Keep in mind that biodiversity (in hobby terms) is loosely defined and is often more of a superstition rather than a demonstrable idea.

agree with the fact that there is a lack of definition. It is like the chief justice said “I don’t know the definition of pornography, but I know it when I see it“. I don’t know that I would call it a superstition as many well seasoned tanks have a great spread of bacteria beneficial algae and pods and worms in the substrate. Also understand that there are folks that successfully keep the tanks pristine and they do so very successfully. It’s just a matter of taste.

 

[FSP]

While not "safe," getting some ocean rock ("coralline" or "base" is fine, the cheap stuff without much surface growth) and dark curing it will kill most of the big stuff, offensive or otherwise. You won't get any of the cool stuff either, but the good stuff you can't see will still be there. If it makes you feel better one way or the other, GHA and dinos are also pests.

 

[Isiah1820]

What’s the best way to get ocean rock yourself? I’m in east Orlando and the Atlantic coast is closer , I can get to Cocoa beach in 40 mins with how I drive lol. Tampa is about 2 hours.

 

[jabberwock]

What’s the best way to get ocean rock yourself? I’m in east Orlando and the Atlantic coast is closer , I can get to Cocoa beach in 40 mins with how I drive lol. Tampa is about 2 hours.

You cannot, it is illegal. The outfits that sell it now have legal mariculture leases. Best to go through a reputable dealer like Tampa Bay Saltwater. They offer local pick up.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

What’s the best way to get ocean rock yourself? I’m in east Orlando and the Atlantic coast is closer , I can get to Cocoa beach in 40 mins with how I drive lol. Tampa is about 2 hours.

I used to live in Florida and not sure it's legal to collect yourself...not much rock around Cocoa Beach... generally ocean rock refers to rock collected far offshore anyway

 

[Isiah1820]

Over the years I have added either large or small pieces of KP aquatics rock to tanks either at the beginning or two boost a 2+ year old tank. And all of my efforts I have only had one significant hitchhiker, and easily trapped him out. Pictures below.
I agree that it’s a great way to add bacteria different types of Coraline and other beneficial worms for the sand bed. If you are within driving distance of Tampa there’s a great option there, though I have never use them. I understand lots of folks are afraid of unwanted pests but I think the benefits outweigh the potential risks. In my opinion anyway
also, Coraline is very good at keeping algae from adhering to rocks or plugs, so if I was going to add anything from a bottle it might be a Coraline allergy boost. But personally have never tried that.

Is that a mantis? Is so that’s a pest I wouldn’t mind lol set him up a little 20 gallon.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Why not just go to TSA, WWC, or one of the other shops in Orlando and ask them if they have any live rock from the ocean? (Not just rock that's been sitting in a tub of water and bottled bacteria though)

 

[ReefGeezer]

In regards to pest I’ve avoided it so far. And would like to keep it that way lol. And this is not my first rodeo and had to deal with pest before.

I hear ya. In that case, time is probably the best provider of the bacterial diversity you are looking for. Those bottles and boxes of tiny rubble rocks might help at the margin, but that's about it. Remember though... biodiversity has as much to do with more complex life as it does bacteria. Things like sponges, tube worms, copepods, and other organisms that inhabit the nooks and crannies of the substrate are really major contributors to the success of a tank. These may never show up in a tank unless something introduces them.

 

[Isiah1820]

Ok it being illegal I did not know. Excuse my ignorance I’ve been in the hobby maybe 3 years now.

 

[Isiah1820]

I hear ya. In that case, time is probably the best provider of the bacterial diversity you are looking for. Those bottles and boxes of tiny rubble rocks might help at the margin, but that's about it. Remember though... biodiversity has as much to do with more complex life as it does bacteria. Things like sponges, tube worms, copepods, and other organisms that inhabit the nooks and crannies of the substrate are really major contributors to the success of a tank. These may never show up in a tank unless something introduces them.

Got you. I kinda regret not getting live rock this time around cause I definitely don’t have as many little critters as I did with my first tank. Although I had some bad critters that came with it but like you guys said it happens I guess. So second time around I end up just using the dried out rock I already had, live sand, and turbo start I believe it was called.

 

[Isiah1820]

Why not just go to TSA, WWC, or one of the other shops in Orlando and ask them if they have any live rock from the ocean? (Not just rock that's been sitting in a tub of water and bottled bacteria though)

I’ve been to wwc and although I didn’t ask if it was ocean rock, but the rock they had did give setting in a tub with bottle bacteria vibes lol iDk tho.