Will I be able to "see" bacterial colonies?

M

mr_chris

Registered Member
Aug 30, 2006
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Omaha, Nebraska
I've had my 75 gallon tank up for about four weeks now. Is the brownish accumulation on the pre-filter nitrifying bacteria?

I have a sump trickle filter with blue bio-balls in it. Will there be any noticable accumulation on the balls? My tank did cycle, and I've added some fish since then, and it appeared to have a mini-cycle following that.

But I'm just curious as to whether my bio-balls have been fully colonized or not. I have a pre-filter on a powerhead for additional aeration, and it has accumulated a brownish something on it.

My overflow box has a sponge prefilter as well, and it appears to have some, too.

Thanks for your guidance!
 
no, the bacteria themselves cannot be seen by the naked eye. any visible accumulation is random fish funk and algae bits.

to determine whether your colonies are fully developed you have to test your water. can you give more info, like how many fish you have and your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings? are you doing a fishy cycle, or trying it the fishless way?
 
Brown Algae is fairly common in new-ish tanks. Keep your NitrAtes under control, and they should go away soon-ish.

In any case, you should be gently squeezing out all the foam sponge bits about once a month anyway. Make SURE to use used aquarium water for this. You don't need them spotless, just get the visible goo off.

And yes, post your water parameters. (pH, Ammonia, NitrIte, NitrAte, and if you have it, GH/KH.)

SirWired
 
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