Do Nitrifying Bacteria Multiply in your Tank?

[NJBillyV]

I'm setting up a QT and I have no established bio-media so I'm dumping in some One and Only.

Theoretically, it has live nitrifying bacteria, so they should be pretty much ready to start eating ammonia from the start, or not?

I'm also wondering if they multiply in your tank, or the ones you have are all you get?

If they do multiply, what can help them do it faster, is there nitrifying bacteria food?

What do they need to grow, ammonia only or are there other things?

Thanks, any advice would be great!

 

[mtfish]

Have no idea about this product, but bacteria multiply rapidly if there is a source of ammonia. With no food source, bacteria levels will not rise. Fish poop ammonia, so that is the food source. I would be hesitant to put fish in directly. Instead, I would add a small amount of ammonia and see if it reduces to zero. You can also test for nitrites and nitrates which are the breakdown products from ammonia.

How much of a hurry are you in? Why not just let the tank cycle naturally to be on the safe side?

 

[NJBillyV]

I'm not really in a hurry, but I would like to get a fish or two into the QT in anticipation of my new tank arriving. I certainly won't put any fish in until I know the tank is efficiently converting ammonia to nitrate. So my plan is to dump in the bacteria and then dose the tank with Ammonium Chloride until it is functioning as intended.

 

[MaxxuM]

If I remember my biology they multiply exponentially every 18-36 hours or so. It's pretty rapid, but they do need a food source. Many people put a specific amount of ammonia in their tank to start the cycle while others use fish food or a piece of uncooked shrimp. You need to read the directions on that product and follow them to a T, otherwise you could be wasting your time waiting for something that may not happen.