Idk how to say it.

[Westoncase]

Is there a relationship between “good bacteria” and bioload. I never thought of it until I started watching Rico. I forgot how he explained it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not sure I understand what sort of bacteria would be bad, aside from those that cause diseases, or possibly Cyanobacteria.

 

[Brett S]

I’m not quite sure what you’re asking here. The “good bacteria” that people usually refer to in relation to aquariums is the nitrifying bacteria that turns ammonia to nitrates. The living things in your tank, the “bioload” are what produce that ammonia, so with more living things in the tank, or a higher bioload there will be more nitrifying bacteria to process the higher quantities of ammonia being produced.

So yes, there is definitely a relationship there. Is that what you were looking for?

 

[Westoncase]

I’m not quite sure what you’re asking here. The “good bacteria” that people usually refer to in relation to aquariums is the nitrifying bacteria that turns ammonia to nitrates. The living things in your tank, the “bioload” are what produce that ammonia, so with more living things in the tank, or a higher bioload there will be more nitrifying bacteria to process the higher quantities of ammonia being produced.

So yes, there is definitely a relationship there. Is that what you were looking for?

You explained it kinda how I thought it worked. I’m just good at overthinking simple stuff.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Im not sure there would be more nitrifying bacteria. The bacteria are limited to the available surface area available in your tank. I.e. your rocks, sand, fillets etc.

 

[Brett S]

Im not sure there would be more nitrifying bacteria. The bacteria are limited to the available surface area available in your tank. I.e. your rocks, sand, fillets etc.

That’s true, and that’s why at some point if you have a big enough bioload and/or not enough surface area the bacteria that you do have won’t be able to process the ammonia being produced and the tank will crash since there’s nowhere for additional bacteria to colonize.

But I believe the bacteria population will increase and decrease with the bioload in the tank.

 

[Westoncase]

That’s true, and that’s why at some point if you have a big enough bioload and/or not enough surface area the bacteria that you do have won’t be able to process the ammonia being produced and the tank will crash since there’s nowhere for additional bacteria to colonize.

But I believe the bacteria population will increase and decrease with the bioload in the tank.

“But I believe the bacteria population will increase and decrease with the bioload in the tank.” +1 it all makes sense now lol.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im not sure there would be more nitrifying bacteria. The bacteria are limited to the available surface area available in your tank. I.e. your rocks, sand, fillets etc.

I dont think that ordinary reef tanks with live rock and sand are surface area limited with respect to nitrifying bacteria. If they were, there would be more tanks with elevated ammonia.