Biological Filtration

[mrebolton]

Once a new filter has been added to an already established tank. Does anyone know the amount of time before that filter has enough bacteria growing. Or does the filter have to go through the filter process all over again which takes about 4 weeks?

[LittlePuff]

Are you talking about a marine tank? If yes, the bacteria you need isn't in the filter, it's on the live rock and sand.

Kim

[mysis]

i think he means bacteria on his filter media, and there is no definate answer, all tanks are different, it depends, the more Lr and Live sand the faster.

[mrebolton]

Yes I was talking about the media within the filter. Recently purchased an Emperor 400 for my 55g saltwater tank and wanted to know how long it would take to establish the filter on it. I already have a CPR BakPak skimmer with the BioBale bio media, which has been running for 5 weeks already. And I also have 15lbs of live rock. So I think after two weeks of running the Emperor on this tank, the bio filter should be established.

[LittlePuff]

In a marine tank, you don't want to maintain the bacteria in a filter. The bacteria that converts nitrates into harmless gasses is in/on the live rock. The bacteria in the filter only converts into nitrates. You don't want to have high nitrates. With the filter, you are putting a much higher load of nitrates for your live rock to take care of. :read:


Kim

[mysis]

Wrong, depends on the media, i aam using cruched bleached coral in my filter, the coral contains 2 types of bacteria anerobic and aerobic, this bacteria feeds of pollutants in the water, and proteins. thus making that bacteria good for your tank.

[LittlePuff]

How do you know that anerobic bacteria in the cc?


Kim

[fish addict]

I use 2 aquaclear power filters for my 20g and was inspired to remove the traditional media and turn them into mini fuges. I made a 1" CC base and filled the baskets with chunks of live rock. I still need to find a light for them. By using the filters in this way I don't have to worry about any media becoming saturated and leaching toxins back into my tank. The tank is now truly all natural, and I just do water changes.

[mysis]

i chipped a bit of rock off and I have used a microscope to see that that bacteria is living in it and also read it in a book and when i was given the cc, a marine biologist told we what type of bacteria lived on it.

[LittlePuff]

Which bacteria is it? There are more than one type of bacteria to convert ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. They aren't one type.


Kim

[reefrash]

How do you know that anerobic bacteria in the cc?


Kim


CC is porous, therefore water passes very slowly through through the coral. In that environment it is either anoxic or anerobic, being that other types of bacteria on the surface deprive the water of oxygen by the time the water reaches the interior of the coral. That effectivly creates an environment where you can reduce nitrates in a safe manner without the risk of hydrogen sulfides. Bacteria are everywhere, there is more at work than just nitrosomonas, and nitrobacter, bacteria are everywhere (I think I'm gonna go take a shower now). :thud:

[FloridaBoy]

Yes I was talking about the media within the filter. Recently purchased an Emperor 400 for my 55g saltwater tank and wanted to know how long it would take to establish the filter on it. I already have a CPR BakPak skimmer with the BioBale bio media, which has been running for 5 weeks already. And I also have 15lbs of live rock. So I think after two weeks of running the Emperor on this tank, the bio filter should be established.
I would agree with you, I think a several weeks would give you a pretty good collection of bacteria on the media, esp. if it has good flow/oxygen around it.

[mysis]

Which bacteria is it? There are more than one type of bacteria to convert ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. They aren't one type.


Kim

Just Shut UP

[LittlePuff]

Aren't you sweet.

Kim