Eco Bio Blocks.... test begins

[THE V]

Did a quick little study online. Here's what I found.

Bacillus subtilis bacteria have been considered strictly aerobic, meaning that they require oxygen to grow and they cannot undergo fermentation, however, recent studies show that they can indeed grow in anaerobic conditions. The bacteria can make ATP in anaerobic conditions via fermentation as well as nitrate ammonification. Bacillus subtilis can use nitrite or nitrate as a terminal acceptor of electrons. Bacillus subtilis contains two unique nitrate reductases. One is used for nitrate nitrogen assimilation and the other is used for nitrate respiration. However, there is only one nitrite reductase that serves both purposes. Nitrate reductase reduces nitrate to nitrite in nitrate respiration, which is then reduced to ammonia by nitrite reductase. Bacillus subtilis is different from other anaerobes in that it undergoes fermentation without external acceptors of electrons (Nakano 1998). During fermentation, the regeneration of NAD+ is chiefly mediated by lactate dehydrogenase, which is found in the cytoplasm. Lactate dehydrogenase converts pyruvate to lactate (Marino 2001).

Bacillus subtilis strains can act as biofungicides for agricultural crops and antibacterial agents. Bacillus subtilis also reduces mild steel corrosion (Morikawa 2006).

There are many research studies that are currently being done on Bacillus subtilis. One recent research project focuses on the resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores to heat, radiation, and chemicals. It has been known that spores can survive hundreds, even millions, of years in a dormant state. The study investigated the important factors that contribute to spore resistance. The researcher found that the bacteria's coats were a major factor because the coat provides a barrier for the organism against toxic agents, ultraviolet radiation, and lytic enzymes. The inner membrane was also found to be important, due to its low permeability against toxic agents. DNA repair was also determined to be crucial, since it can control DNA damage due to radiation, heat, and toxins. Bacillus subtilis spores are also resistant to wet heat, primarily by the core's low water content. The lower the water content of the core is, the more resistant the spore is to wet heat. This research study is important in that it can lead to future studies on how the Bacillus subtilis spores in food and medical products can be killed effectively. Learning about the spores resistance gives us a better understanding of which methods may or may not be useful in killing the spores (Setlow 2006).

http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bacillus_subtilis

What does all this mean?

In anaerobic conditions B. subtilis converts nitrate to nitrite and then to ammonia... not good for a fish tank. Keep up the water changes.

In normal conditions it produces antifungal and antibacterial chemicals. Good for the aquarium as it can help keeps bacterial or fungal blooms from occurring.

The endospores cannot be killed easily (read millions of years). I would just hang the thing on top of an airstone and call it good.

 

[Squawkbert]

These blocks & what comes w/ the Ecomagic filter (Bailey Brothers show
Eco Magic Filtration System) are supposed to provide the correct porosity and at an adequate depth from the surfaces of the stones so that bacteria can get in there and live in nearly anoxic conditions. Under these conditions, they can break NO3 down, producing N2 and either oxygen or other oxygenated byproducts (not sure). This is pretty much the same as having liverock in a marine aquarium (except the bacteria species may be different - again, not certain).

In the case of the ecomagic filter, I suspect that the filter's supplied rock in not adequate to house enough bacteria to do NO3 conversion for a (for example) 55g tank. By specifying that their UG plates be mounted under a couple of inches of substrate (gravel), and running it as a low flow RUG, I think that they are counting on these NO3 digesting bacteria to colonize the tank bottom as well.

In theory, it looks pretty good. Having seen the Ecomagic web site, I can say that I have some unanswered questions...

I think the main thing is to try to establish whether or not the special rock media is actually allowing NO3 eating bacteria to survive and multiply, or if it merely acting in the same capacity as zeolite.

PS - nice to know someone here who has called in, Draal5 - I like the show despite the perpetual interruptions of the one brother over the other, and the inordinate praise of biowheels, but hey, they've got sponsors to consider.

 

[DrNo]

Squak... very interesting read re: the Ecomagic filters! I agree with you that the concept looks great on paper but there are untidy threads to deal with.

The V.... thanks for the link and the additional info. for this thread! I had not seen any direct claims re: antibacterial/fungal properties until your post. The instructions did clearly indicate the stones should be placed either in the filter (ensuring good water flow around the matrix) or over an airstone to provide local water movement and aerobic growth. With that kind of resistance to temperature and chemical deformation, they certainly are resilient bugs (to say the least.)...

I have not seen any observable changes in the SE Asian tank of any kind. However, my Lake Tanganyika tank has been looking especially clear of late. The light stock of cichlids (3 juvenile gold head comps.) and the bichir are clearly more active than usual. We can not claim direct causality, but I am very comfortable thus far in saying that the product has not had an adverse effect on the ecosystems. With 2 decent size water changes weekly, my water parameters are always identical in both tanks (0/0/5) and these have not changed over the last week.

 

[DrNo]

I observed something interesting this morning.... the 5 gold gourami in the SE Asian tank have all started to darken significantly; at the same time, they are taking on a beautiful irridescence of their scaling. The dorsal and ventral fins are blossoming into a beautiful white speckling with very prominent blacks and whites. This does not appear to be pathological, as they are all thriving and I have never seen them this striking in appearance (small swimming cheetas). Breeding display? Improved water quality due to presence of grass bacillus? Hmmmm...

 

[justahannah]

I want pictures

 

[DrNo]

I'll dig out the camera soon and try to get some decent shots.... I have such a lousy digital camera, I'm sure I'll be dissappointed in the results; close-ups are truly pitiful LOL

 

[DrNo]

I utterly hate my digital camera.... but here's a shot as promised. This does not do them justice; the contrast in their fins and the vertical striping is truly impressive on live inspection, and has an irridescent hue.



I'd love some gourami experts to weight in on what might be happening here; they seem vibrant and territorial as usual.

 

[justahannah]

I've never seen any that vibrant, they are gorgeous

 

[DrNo]

I've never seen any that vibrant, they are gorgeous

Thanks hannah! Would be nice if their owner could produce a decent shot however I posted the photo at the general forum as well as I'm curious to see if any of our local experts can otherwise explain this sudden change (e.g. breeding coloration). Otherwise, I'm inclined to believe the grass bacillus may at least be a contributing factor. Alternatively, it could simply be a total coincidence.

 

[DominionDesign]

Hey DrV, I have never seen Gold Gouramis look that beautiful either. It could be breeding behavior but I would think that the dominant male would color up more so than the others, the fact that they all did it at the same time makes me wonder. If it is breeding behavior/coloration it could be brought on by changes in the water chemistry due to the grass bacillus. Have you noticed any behavioral changes? As to the pic quality, it looks fine. I have taken much worse! Some where you cant tell if its a fish or a satelite view of a small island.