Impact of Heterotrophic Bacteria on Alkalinity?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Haha cool. Yes I feel confident in my alk testing, only one step and I've repeated tests multiple times and almost always get within 0.1 of prior test. Do you think I should just use baking soda?

I'd first use the kit on some new salt water, and if that came out right, I'd boost alk. Since you have the other already, it's not a problem to use it for a while. Just switch when its gone. Switching now is also a fine plan.

 

[Treefer32]

Follow Randy's recipe on Baking soda. Just dosing baking soda may work, but it's hard to measure out side a liquid solution. I always add baked baking soda (raises ph vs. just unbaked baking soda, which may lower or not do anything to ph) per Randy's recipe to my doser container and fill with RODI water. In solution I can measure how much alkalinity is being added and maintain consistency. If you have a daily consumption (despite no corals) then dosing a mixed liquid with baking soda even once per day would raise your alk daily or keep it stable. I also thought if magnesium was low there'd be a tough time maintaining a calcium and alk balance. May benefit to test your new water alk, calcium, and mg just to be sure. I use NYOS or red sea test kits for calcium and mg. You don't need to test often, so you could even use a LFS to test them for a one off test. My Kits usually expire before I use more than 3-4 tests.

As to what consumes it, I'd also add wouldn't Coraline algae consume alk as well? I could be wrong. Just throwing it out there as another possibility.

Also, another aspect to check would be your salinity. Check with different salinity checkers just to make sure it's close. If you're salinity is low, you may have a tougher time maintaining the chemistry as well.

 

[ClutchCityReefer]

Awesome, great idea and thanks everyone! I think I am going to need to buy more reagant for the alk test soon!

 

[MiZuboov]

I'd first use the kit on some new salt water, and if that came out right, I'd boost alk. Since you have the other already, it's not a problem to use it for a while. Just switch when its gone. Switching now is also a fine plan.

Hello, Randy. I have a dilemma: heterotrophs organisms are formed in places with a large accumulation of organic matter (sponges, wool, which have not been washed for a long time - maybe even never - especially for heterotrophs), but at the same time we remove all this from the aquarium. We wash the sponges thoroughly or throw away the wool completely, replacing it with a new one. Where do heterotrophs come from in an aquarium? Or are we talking about those who live in stones and in decorations? Thank you a lot.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hello, Randy. I have a dilemma: heterotrophs organisms are formed in places with a large accumulation of organic matter (sponges, wool, which have not been washed for a long time - maybe even never - especially for heterotrophs), but at the same time we remove all this from the aquarium. We wash the sponges thoroughly or throw away the wool completely, replacing it with a new one. Where do heterotrophs come from in an aquarium? Or are we talking about those who live in stones and in decorations? Thank you a lot.

Yes, heterotrophs live in many places, breaking down organics. On rocks, on and in sand, even floating free in the water.

 

[MiZuboov]

Yes, heterotrophs live in many places, breaking down organics. On rocks, on and in sand, even floating free in the water.

But what your opinion about this article? I know this is about fresh, but anyway..

6. Filtration

aquariumscience.org

I am confused by this photo with the appropriate caption and a quote from the article:
"Three steps go on simultaneously in the brown gunk in a filter.

• Biofilter oxidation of ammonia to nitrate by autotrophic (i.e. “eats chemicals like ammonia”) bacteria. This is a very important task. It is the major reason a filter exists in an aquarium.
• AND, in the same media as biofiltration, biofilter oxidation of “DOCs” (“Dissolved Organic Compounds” like carbohydrates and proteins) to carbon dioxide, ammonia and water by heterotrophic (i.e. “eats normal foods like sugars and proteins”) bacteria. This DOC oxidation is very important and very overlooked. It is key to crystal clear water and good fish health.
• AND, in the same media in the same media as biofiltration, capture and killing of things in the water like algae, bacteria and disease pathogens by heterotrophic (i.e. “eats normal foods like sugars and proteins”) organisms like rotifers.

Heterotrophic biofiltration removes bad bacterias, pathogens like ich, dissolved organics, feces, uneaten food, floating algae."

Therefore I thought I need some brown gunk sponges for that..But I discussed with other reefers and mostly of them keep their sumps clearly, exempting it from any organic contaminants..Where is true? >-<

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

But what your opinion about this article? I know this is about fresh, but anyway..

6. Filtration

aquariumscience.org

I am confused by this photo with the appropriate caption and a quote from the article:
"Three steps go on simultaneously in the brown gunk in a filter.

• Biofilter oxidation of ammonia to nitrate by autotrophic (i.e. “eats chemicals like ammonia”) bacteria. This is a very important task. It is the major reason a filter exists in an aquarium.
• AND, in the same media as biofiltration, biofilter oxidation of “DOCs” (“Dissolved Organic Compounds” like carbohydrates and proteins) to carbon dioxide, ammonia and water by heterotrophic (i.e. “eats normal foods like sugars and proteins”) bacteria. This DOC oxidation is very important and very overlooked. It is key to crystal clear water and good fish health.
• AND, in the same media in the same media as biofiltration, capture and killing of things in the water like algae, bacteria and disease pathogens by heterotrophic (i.e. “eats normal foods like sugars and proteins”) organisms like rotifers.

Heterotrophic biofiltration removes bad bacterias, pathogens like ich, dissolved organics, feces, uneaten food, floating algae."

Therefore I thought I need some brown gunk sponges for that..But I discussed with other reefers and mostly of them keep their sumps clearly, exempting it from any organic contaminants..Where is true? >-<

I would not look to fresh water tanks for info relating to reef tanks. Much does not translate. Many reef tanks, including mine that was up for 20 years, have no mechanical filtration or specific places for bacteria. There are plenty of spaces for bacteria elsewhere in the system.

There are many ways to reduce organics, such as skimmers, activated carbon, and various polymer materials such as Purigen.