Problems Due to Bacterial Imbalances? AquaBiomics Test Results.

[Dana Riddle]

I received results from AquaBiomics showing bacteria populations in my reef tank. As it turned out, this test shows my tank has bacteria indicative of a mature reef - a total of 442 bacteria types were found with a diversity score of .92 (on a scale of 0 to 1.0.) Interestingly, nitrifying bacteria are practically non-existent. Coral and fish pathogens were not found as well.
I tend to think using Florida live rock is at least partially responsible for the diversity score. Has anyone had this test done where only dry rock was used?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

id love to see someone with a year old+ tank with only dry rock. Im approaching the 10 month mark on a dry rock only tank.

 

[Mortie31]

There are results being posted on the main thread... a lot interesting and confusing

This is what I've dreamed of for so long! Testing for microbes in our tanks!

Got my @AquaBiomics results back last week for 3 tanks. All 3 tanks are doing quite well (images are in my sig); tests were done primarily out of curiosity. Tank 1: ForeReefWall, 2 years 7 months, 100 g, mixed reef, live & dry rock, algae refugium, no carbon dosing, intermittent ozone use, no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Dana Riddle]

There are results being posted on the main thread... a lot interesting and confusing

This is what I've dreamed of for so long! Testing for microbes in our tanks!

Got my @AquaBiomics results back last week for 3 tanks. All 3 tanks are doing quite well (images are in my sig); tests were done primarily out of curiosity. Tank 1: ForeReefWall, 2 years 7 months, 100 g, mixed reef, live & dry rock, algae refugium, no carbon dosing, intermittent ozone use, no...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks! I'll take a look!

 

[User1]

Is this similar to what Paul B had done in a similar thread in the Chem sub forum?

I had my water tested but need explanation

AquaBiomics tested my water a few weeks ago and I am all excited to know what it means as I can't interpret most of it so I need Randy who has more degrees than a thermometer, and I am an electrician with a fish tank. Years ago I couldn't spell Lectrician but now I are one.

www.reef2reef.com

Edit: Oh - and Hi Forgot to say that and hope all is well with you and yours.

 

[SDK]

Interestingly, nitrifying bacteria are practically non-existent.

I find this information extremely interesting, and wonder if there are practical implications to be gleaned from it...

 

[Billldg]

I know @Flippers4pups had his tank done, but not sure what type of rock he used.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I received results from AquaBiomics showing bacteria populations in my reef tank. As it turned out, this test shows my tank has bacteria indicative of a mature reef - a total of 442 bacteria types were found with a diversity score of .92 (on a scale of 0 to 1.0.) Interestingly, nitrifying bacteria are practically non-existent. Coral and fish pathogens were not found as well.
I tend to think using Florida live rock is at least partially responsible for the diversity score. Has anyone had this test done where only dry rock was used?

Interesting results is this in the same tank we’re you currently experimenting with phytoplankton?

 

[bubbaque]

id love to see someone with a year old+ tank with only dry rock. Im approaching the 10 month mark on a dry rock only tank.

My previous tank was over two years old with only dry rock. There is a pic of it on the first page in the link in my signature.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Interesting results is this in the same tank we’re you currently experimenting with phytoplankton?

Yes, phytoplankton additions are made at least once daily to feed the Goniopora specimens. Perhaps this is the reason for low nitrifying bacteria populations? The phyto acts as a nutrient mop and out-competes bacteria? Pure speculation on my part....

 

[Dana Riddle]

This article will go a long way in answering many of my questions. Thanks Eli!

Establishing a Healthy Microbiome in a New Aquarium Using Live Rock

About this article This article describes an experiment documenting the effects of live rock in a newly established aquarium. While I’ve tried to tell the story as briefly as I can, it’s the story of a month-long study of replicated tanks, with analysis of both water chemistry and the microbial...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[sixty_reefer]

Yes, phytoplankton additions are made at least once daily to feed the Goniopora specimens. Perhaps this is the reason for low nitrifying bacteria populations? The phyto acts as a nutrient mop and out-competes bacteria? Pure speculation on my part....

what was the dominant microbe species in your tank? Could you share the full test with us? Have all your parameters stayed low since your last thread? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Justfebreezeit]

My previous tank was over two years old with only dry rock. There is a pic of it on the first page in the link in my signature.

I remember your old tank! I follow your thread pretty regularly actually and strive for similar results.

I'm not to worried about the dry rock cant grow acro's thing, i've had 5 acros in since my cycle and they have all grown since. (albiet some of them slow and lacking color (low nutrients perhaps)).

I was just curious how the two different rock choices might differ on this test.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Test results attached. Aquarium NO3-N = 0.4 ppm; P = 0.02 ppm.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Perhaps if you have a good amount of coral and a refugium as well Randy. Its been thought that coral and algae prefer ammonia to nitrate as well.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Perhaps if you have a good amount of coral and a refugium as well Randy. Its been thought that coral and algae prefer ammonia to nitrate as well.

Nutrient preferences (NH3 and NO3) vary among plant and algae species. I can't find that paper with a quick search. Interesting topic.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Test results attached. Aquarium NO3-N = 0.4 ppm; P = 0.02 ppm.

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I wonder where the "typical sample" typically comes from? I'm guessing only advanced reef keepers, probably.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I wonder where the "typical sample" typically comes from? I'm guessing only advanced reef keepers, probably.

Not sure about advanced aquarists responding. I tend to think the age of the aquarium, live rock or no, etc. are more important. More testing will reveal a more complete picture, IMHO.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I wonder where the "typical sample" typically comes from? I'm guessing only advanced reef keepers, probably.

I think the “Typical sample” comes from an average from tanks tested. There’s no saying if a certain test is better than other at the moment is just out of curiosity but some patterns start to emerge from tanks tested.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Test results attached. Aquarium NO3-N = 0.4 ppm; P = 0.02 ppm.

That’s impressive, thanks for sharing. Have you got any thoughts on how the decay of phytoplankton could affect the microbes in our reef tanks?