I have a biology question...

Dom · Feb 4, 2023

We frequently see the Nitrifying Bacteria Colony mentioned in threads.

What is the name of the organism that makes up the Nitrifying Bacteria Colony?

Thanks,
Dom

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 4, 2023

There are several. First, ammonia from fish waste, extra food, etc is converted to nitrite by one type of bacteria. Then, a second type(s) of bacteria convert nitrite to nitrate.

Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus convert ammonia into Nitrite.

Nitrobacter, Nitrospira, and Nitrococcus convert the nitrite into nitrate.

Here's a good article that explains in more detail:

Bacterias en el acuario marino - Blog Coral Wonders

Descubre el poder de las bacterias y sus efectos en el acuario marino. Lo que no te cuentan los fabricantes. ¿productos milagrosos o simple placebo?

blog.coralwonders.com

*I have not vetted this publication

Stomatopods17 · Feb 4, 2023

AFAIK its different from system to system.

Various 'live bacteria' cultures sold online should list the primary species used in the product, just to get an idea what is used.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 4, 2023

Here's another article:

Nitrifying Bacteria | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

For years, scientists assumed Nitrosomonas were the bacteria responsible for breaking down ammonia in aquatic systems. Learn more about this species.

www.tfhmagazine.com

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 4, 2023

Question for the group: there was someone who tested different bottled bacteria products but I can't remember who. If you know, can you link his thread here?

Stomatopods17 · Feb 4, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Question for the group: there was someone who tested different bottled bacteria products but I can't remember who. If you know, can you link his thread here?

This is what I found, not sure if its the one

Bacteria in a bottle, Myth or Fact

Call me old school, back in the day we placed a deli shrimp in a tank to kick start the cycle. When tank reached 1.5-2 ppm ammonia we pulled it out and waited sometimes weeks to months for bacteria to colonize and drop ammonia and nitrites down to 0 to make tank safe for livestock. With recent...

www.reef2reef.com

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 4, 2023

I’d add that it’s not clear that nitrifying bacteria play much role in established reef tanks. Other organisms may be the primary consumers of ammonia.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 4, 2023

Stomatopods17 said:
This is what I found, not sure if its the one

Bacteria in a bottle, Myth or Fact

Call me old school, back in the day we placed a deli shrimp in a tank to kick start the cycle. When tank reached 1.5-2 ppm ammonia we pulled it out and waited sometimes weeks to months for bacteria to colonize and drop ammonia and nitrites down to 0 to make tank safe for livestock. With recent...

www.reef2reef.com

YES!! Thank you

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 4, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I’d add that it’s not clear that nitrifying bacteria play much role in established reef tanks. Other organisms may be the primary consumers of ammonia.

Very good point. I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that the OP's question was in reference to a new system.

Dom · Feb 5, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Very good point. I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that the OP's question was in reference to a new system.

My question is not about a specific tank. I’m trying to develop a better understanding of the nitrifying bacteria colony and the role it plays in our systems.

There are many different sciences going on in our tanks. Chemistry and Microbiology are the two most interesting to me.

livinlifeinBKK · Feb 5, 2023

If you're really interested in microbiology, look into the role of archaea in the nitrogen cycle...they're not bacteria

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2023

IMO, it's impossible to know in any given reef tank how much ammonia is getting consumed by any given species. At best, one can identify the species present, but not what they are doing.