Life span of transferred bacteria?

What are the practical differences between bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrites and bacteria that convert nitrites to nitrates? I have noticed that the spices do not feel the same. But I only have two tank worth of experience to go by.
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Very good. The bacteria that converts NH4 to NO2 belong to the family Nitrosomas. The family that converts NO2 to NO3 is Nitrobacter in freshwater and Nitrospira in saltwater.

Commercially there are products that claim Nitrospira is the dominant bacteria in both (Bio-spira, Quick Start). However current research shows that Nitrospira and Nitrobacter share this role. Nitrospira is dominant in low oxygen and low nitrite enviromnets whereas Nitrobacter is dominant in higher oxygen higher nitrite conditions (Leon S. Downing 2008). So in aquaria it indicates that most of the work is done by Nitrobacter. However, in lakes and ponds most of the work is done by Nitrospira (Dr. Tim Hovanec really doesn't like me right now :silly: website).

I am sure this same guy would be quite content using access as a verb. I remind people like that that the dictionary was not designed to prescribe language but to document it. Language is by its very nature quite fluid and needs to be as it attempts to be a useful tool.
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Other than I'm taking a class that he teaches right now. Telling him this is a great way to get an big ole "F". Adult students with 10+ years of work experience are enough of a pain as it is.

Leon S. Downing, R.N., 2008. Effect of oxygen gradients on the activity and microbial community structure of a nitrifying, membrane-aerated biofilm. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 101(6), 1193-1204.
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Can the bacteria serve as any good purpose for ground soil?
 
NeonFlux said:
Can the bacteria serve as any good purpose for ground soil?
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These bacteria play a crucial role in the soil. There are bacteria/fungi that convert nitrogen gas into NH4+ (nitrogen fixation). This form of nitrogen can be locked onto the soil matrix and is not very mobile. Nitrosomas and Nitrobacter convert it into nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) which is negatively charged and much more mobile in the soil. This makes it more available to plants and other microbes. The downside is it also makes it more readily leeched away. Plants can absorb and use all three forms of the nitrogen. The more mobile types move into contact with the plants roots more readily.

If you know anything about agriculutre you'll know that fertilizers add in nitrogen to the soil. One of the most popular ingredients is ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) in mineral fertilizers. Manure also contains nitrogen locked up in protiens.

I've got to stop answering these questions my fingers are getting tired.
 
Thanks for the information, V.
 
^ Thanks for finding that. As I'm taking a few classes and working on a graduate degree, I've got full access to the University of California system. Most of the time those papers are not free and penalty is pretty severe if I post something in violation of copyright laws. Banning here and possible legal action against me from the publishing journal. I decided to error on the side of caution on only cite the reference.
 
Cool info. :)

I knew that bacteria can survive for more than 5 hours with no food as I did a move from Montreal to Toronto and I am pretty sure enough bacteria has survived for me to not experience even a minor cycle. If it can survive for months, why doesn't someone commercialize this? I don't think Bio-Spira works this way since it is stored in the fridge.
 
All of the commercial products do contain live cultures at the beginning.

Stores are not that careful with the keeping them in the right conditions. They assume if it's in the bottle its good for a few years.

They also usually don't ship these products refrigerated. If you've ever spent time unloading semi trailers you'll know that they get very hot in the summer. I've seen them get over 120+F back when I worked in warehouses. Nitrifying bacteria start to die off at 105-110F. Bio-spira worked more often simply becuase of the refrigerated shipping.
 
When I was Cycling my 29 gallon I got a bottle of one of the new refrigerated ones. I think it is the company Dr. Tim is with now. It made no difference at all. It was shipped cold and overnight.
 
This post has amazing information. Now I understand why I have had some different results with Tank Cycling then what I had expected.
 
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