a good thought for discussion

This actually can be related to the old victorian era (I think) experiments of spontaneous generation of flies. The common belief was that flies came from rotting meat, that as the meat rotted the flies grew out of it. So a scientist decided to investigate this belief by putting one piece of meat in the open air, and another in a glass jar that allowed air in (which although they didn't know it at the time, also allowed in the bacteria that causes the meat to decompose) but did not allow flies in. Obviously after several days the meat out in the open was full of flies and maggots, while the meat in the special container had none.
 
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Reefscape said:
When something rots away, bacteria deal with the decomposition of the carcass..that is where your bacteria start off from...To cycle a marine tank, i would throw in a raw lump of shrimp...it will decompose in the tank, bacteria will do its role and the nitrogen cycle will start.....thats pretty much fact as far as i understand biology / chemisty...

It has to come from somewhere, to start with...unless the pixy's princkle it in there when i'm not looking ;)
Click to expand...

The bacteria can come from several sources. However, in a tank using sterile water, equipment, decor, and with a cycle started by fish food, you still can start the cycle. The only explanation I can think of is that some of the bacteria is carried on particles in the air.

Edit: Thank you avionics30! :)
 
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html

"[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Avant Garde]The desired Autotrophic aerobic bacteria of nitrifying bacteria are present everywhere (e.g., in the air), oxygen and at least some moisture is present (not in areas void of oxygen) (reference: 3). It is important to note that although the desired nitrifying species of bacteria are “all around us”, they do not readily store in sealed oxygen free containers (dying rapidly without oxygen), and it takes some time for the sparse air born nitrifying bacteria to populate an aquarium or pond, so do not expect these bacteria to “magically” populate your aquarium overnight. . . ."


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It happens by magic!

Ammonia cannot form nor can decay start without reason of a combination of factors. There are many organisms that can and do live in an ammonia laden environment as well as other environments hostile to our existence (ex. thermal vents and the marine life found there).

Check out this explanation.
 
Interesting question.
Bacteria might come from the air.
Or from anything that goes in the aquarium that is wet - decor, gravel, plants, fish (of course), filters, your hands...
 
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