View Full Version : Bacterial Origins
Siren
02-16-2007, 12:21 PM
Okay, so I've read a lot about fishy/non-fishy cycling...but my question is: If you don't introduce the "good" bacteria into the system manually, and just wait the 4-6 weeks for a colony to form, where do they come from? Are they literally on the fish skin/scales if you do a fishy cycle (leftover water from their old tank)? Are they airbourne? How are they introduced into the tank if I don't do it myself?
echoofformless
02-16-2007, 12:28 PM
Let's just say that bacteria are some of the most opportunistic and primordial forms of life on this planet. (And probably many other planets.)
Enough said.
Siren
02-16-2007, 12:34 PM
Yeah, but that doesn't satisfy me...as a biologist, I know they they can survive in there and make a colony (and I agree with you about life on other planets)...I just want to know exactly how they "travel"... :)
echoofformless
02-16-2007, 12:39 PM
I would assume they're airborne. Only because municipal water is so heavily treated and there really is no other means of introduction if you do a fishless cycle.
PS - I'm glad you liked the "other planets" touch. I was unusually proud of that. hehe :joe:
echoofformless
02-16-2007, 12:42 PM
OOHHHH and I just realized that I favorited something of yours on deviantart! That is tooooo weird....
YoFishboy
02-16-2007, 12:43 PM
They are indeed airbourne....theoretically, given enough time, a tank without anything added to it except a few flakes of food would cycle...it would just take a lot longer. The fishy/fishless cycle methods just speed it up.
TwoTankAmin
02-16-2007, 1:29 PM
The desired species of nitrifying bacteria are present everywhere (e.g., in the air). Therefore, once you have an ammonia source in your tank, it's only a matter of time before the desired bacteria establish a colony in your filter bed.
From http://fins.actwin.com/aquariafaq.html
OOHHHH and I just realized that I favorited something of yours on deviantart! That is tooooo weird....
Really? What one?
From http://fins.actwin.com/aquariafaq.html
Thanks, TTA, now my insatiable curiousity is satisfied...for the moment ;)
echoofformless
02-16-2007, 8:22 PM
Really? What one?
Well I can't recall the title. It's of a really awesome puppy. There's a function on the site which tells you who favorited your deviations. I think if you open it, there's a little button that you can hit to show the information.
liv2padl
02-17-2007, 7:12 AM
on the 6th day, god created bacteria ... then he rested.
echoofformless
02-17-2007, 7:47 AM
on the 6th day, god created bacteria ... then he rested.
...and indulged in cheese and yogurt.
YoFishboy
02-17-2007, 2:50 PM
...and indulged in cheese and yogurt.
......but first he washed his hands with anti-bacterial soap.......which he had already preemtively created on the fourth day...at about 2:37 pm.....just after duct tape.....