Preparing microbacter 7

[Thomas Wieczorek]

I'm wondering if my way of preparing mb7 is good. I've searched around and haven't come across anyone else adding this one step but to me it seems like a great idea, lol. So I take 8oz of aquarium water like the mb7 directions say too. I add my mb7 and stir lightly. Here is the extra step. I drip 2 drops of vinegar into the solution to help "feed" the bacteria. So is this a good idea? Am I possibly killing the bacteria? And maybe people can share their way of preparing mb7, or whatever your choice of bacteria additive is. Thanks!!!

 

[K7BMG]

I have never considered adding anything to bacteria supplements.
In fact I don't think I would, as I want the bacteria hungry, so they will eat the things I am putting them in there for.

 

[Thomas Wieczorek]

But wouldn't feeding the bacteria help them proliferate?

 

[K7BMG]

But wouldn't feeding the bacteria help them proliferate?

Unless I am misinterpreting your meaning your talking about adding supplements to an existing tank, assume the one in the picture. In this case I would not.

For new tank cycling, yes of course I will add a source of food along with the bacteria.

This is just one guys (Maybe not so smart) opinion though.

 

[madweazl]

Unless I am misinterpreting your meaning your talking about adding supplements to an existing tank, assume the one in the picture. In this case I would not.

For new tank cycling, yes of course I will add a source of food along with the bacteria.

This is just one guys (Maybe not so smart) opinion though.

They're providing a carbon source (fuel for the, or some, bacteria) to the MB7 product prior to dosing.

 

[Thomas Wieczorek]

Unless I am misinterpreting your meaning your talking about adding supplements to an existing tank, assume the one in the picture. In this case I would not.

For new tank cycling, yes of course I will add a source of food along with the bacteria.

This is just one guys (Maybe not so smart) opinion though.

What I mean is taking 8 oz of aquarium water into a separate container, adding mb7 (that's the directions of the product mb7) then taking one extra step and adding literally 2 drops of vinegar to "jump start" the bacteria. When I ask do you "feed" bacteria I'm talking about a carbon source

 

[Thomas Wieczorek]

They're providing a carbon source (fuel for the, or some, bacteria) to the MB7 product prior to dosing.

Yes. Exactly

 

[K7BMG]

They're providing a carbon source (fuel for the, or some, bacteria) to the MB7 product prior to dosing.

Yes understood.
I am just saying, and trying to learn and understand at the same time, your adding supplements to the existing bacteria in the tank.
First question is why I guess. Clearly to benefit the tank in some way.

My linear way of thinking.

If its to help keep algae under control or to clean the tank of an algae bloom, then I would let them be as hungry as possible so they will feast on it.

If it is due to the thinking that there is bacteria deficiency of some sort, then yes I would want to boost the health of the bacteria.

In either case I feel they will proliferate excellently.

 

[K7BMG]

So obviously I am learning here.
In layman's terms the vinegar (Carbon) is like vitamins.
Your not feeding the bacteria, your adding carbon (vitamins) to make them healthy

 

[Thomas Wieczorek]

So obviously I am learning here.
In layman's terms the vinegar (Carbon) is like vitamins.
Your not feeding the bacteria, your adding carbon (vitamins) to make them healthy

Carbon is more like food then vitamins, it's a fuel source for bacteria, the reason I'm adding in mb7 is to combat a white fuzz covering some of my live rock. After some research I've come to believe it's some sort of bacteria in itself. The mb7 should outcompete the unwanted bacteria. So it's in my belief that adding a fuel source to my bacteria will help it outcompete the nuisance bacteria. This is all a guess on my part so that's why I came to r2r to see if other people do this. Is this beneficial? Is it harmful in some way? I'm just not 100% sure

 

[K7BMG]

I agree with you that a lot of this stuff is a big guessing game.

In the end I cant see that it will be a harmful thing to put some drops of Vinegar in the mix.
I am a novice at all this stuff and my tanks are far from awesome like your tank.
I am getting there though.

 

[brandon429]

we grow entire systems start to finish not ever having to invest in bottle bac, meaning regular feeding produces the same results as using mb7 on a repeated basis, it will have no measurable effect on the tank

can you find any threads where adding mb7 changed the dynamics of a tank w pics

 

[Thomas Wieczorek]

we grow entire systems start to finish not ever having to invest in bottle bac, meaning regular feeding produces the same results as using mb7 on a repeated basis, it will have no measurable effect on the tank

can you find any threads where adding mb7 changed the dynamics of a tank w pics

Changes in water can be very difficult to see visually. We are talking about microscopic changes, the biome. I agree that you dont NEED any bottled bac to run a successful system but the science is there as far using bac to outcompete other forms of bacteria and even algae's. There is an interview on melvesreef YouTube channel with dr Tim. Its titled bacteria in a bottle: snake oil or worth trusting? You should give it a watch. There are threads of mb7 helping people. A quick search of mb7 on r2r will show numerous threads of mb7 being useful to people.

 

[brandon429]

i agree reported patterns matter its how we can find new sustained directions for the hobby. its no harm at all to try and see if you can get increased coral growth or less detritus in some measurable way, that w really stand out

 

[Gildo]

I'm wondering if my way of preparing mb7 is good. I've searched around and haven't come across anyone else adding this one step but to me it seems like a great idea, lol. So I take 8oz of aquarium water like the mb7 directions say too. I add my mb7 and stir lightly. Here is the extra step. I drip 2 drops of vinegar into the solution to help "feed" the bacteria. So is this a good idea? Am I possibly killing the bacteria? And maybe people can share their way of preparing mb7, or whatever your choice of bacteria additive is. Thanks!!!

Hi I got the same idea, so I googled, and here is this post.

what are your impressions? works?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I use mb7 and carbon dose the tank at the same time/early morning light.

 

[gbru316]

I dose Aquaforest Pro Bio S (bacteria) and -NP Pro (carbon source) concurrently, twice daily.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So obviously I am learning here.
In layman's terms the vinegar (Carbon) is like vitamins.
Your not feeding the bacteria, your adding carbon (vitamins) to make them healthy

No, it’s food for bacteria, same as it is for you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi I got the same idea, so I googled, and here is this post.

what are your impressions? works?

I see no reason to do this, IMO.

 

[Dan_P]

I'm wondering if my way of preparing mb7 is good. I've searched around and haven't come across anyone else adding this one step but to me it seems like a great idea, lol. So I take 8oz of aquarium water like the mb7 directions say too. I add my mb7 and stir lightly. Here is the extra step. I drip 2 drops of vinegar into the solution to help "feed" the bacteria. So is this a good idea? Am I possibly killing the bacteria? And maybe people can share their way of preparing mb7, or whatever your choice of bacteria additive is. Thanks!!!

@taricha, please comment on this idea.