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Thread: Testing for Bacteria levels

  1. #1
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    Testing for Bacteria levels

    I have had a feeling for a number of years that a key piece of the puzzle missing for us hobbyist is the ability to test bacteria levels in our tanks. There have been plenty of studies showing that the best reef tanks usually have bacteria levels that mimic what is found in the ocean. After talking to a biologist at work, I was told there are easy and fairly cheap methods to finding out that information. He showed me a $30 little square plastic slide that had some type of cloth looking material in it that you dipped and then cultured. He said I could find them on Amazon, but I haven't had any luck locating the one he showed me....

    But... I did find this article and link on the topic.

    http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater...-bacteria.aspx

    http://www.hach.com/bart-test-for-he...?id=7640250869

    This last link closely matches the item I was shown at work. Not exact, but gives you the idea.
    http://wssproducts.wilhelmsen.com/ma...t-test-10-pcs/

    So my plan is to do a little more research and find out which product best fits our needs. I don't see them listed on ESV's website like the first link/article mentions, but I bet if you called them you could order one instead of having to order 9 or 10 like the 2 other links above.

    Thoughts?

  2. #2

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    I don't know that you would culture (on what medias) and count and apply that to an aquarium. Wouldn't it be better to somehow isolate from the atmosphere and measure the oxygen consumption of a dark sample and then correlate that uptake with bacterial activity? So get the BOD vs. a Coliform count.
    Or maybe do a TOC on a sample, then do the same sample filtered through 1 micron, assume 95% +1 micron is bacteria?

  3. #3
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    I believe the tests above are similar to the tests used in this article. I just want to be able to take 1ml of water and culture the slide to give me an idea on bacteria count in my tanks.

    http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/3/aafeature

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    Interested...definitely a missing parameter. I've heard that tanks running under certain combos of LEDs (like 2:1 RB:CW) have a significant bacterial population lack. Would like to be able to test this myself!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo View Post
    Interested...definitely a missing parameter. I've heard that tanks running under certain combos of LEDs (like 2:1 RB:CW) have a significant bacterial population lack. Would like to be able to test this myself!

    Floyd greetings, I really want this information I can provide some more insight or a link where you can read about, but not the current setup I have, if too close to my LED array

    Given that my tank with a fairly stable ats not yet been able to handle an increase of NO3, the problem may be the lack of bacteria

    Thanked any information

    regards

  6. #6
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    This diagram shows why the CW/RB combo lacks bacteria.. that combo of lighting lacks the spectrum under 450nm and above 630nm, which as you can see is where bacteria colonize the most around algal cells.


  7. #7
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    Just ran across this product on RB, Aqua-Crobes. If it works, this is the type of product I was hoping for as we learn more about the microscopic processes in a reef tank. Step 1, figuring out a baseline bacterial count, step 2, introduce good strains of bacteria to out compete the bad strains while testing and maintaining a proper NSW level of bacteria.

    http://reefbuilders.com/2013/04/03/dvh-aquacrobes/

    When we came across the name, we had to ask ourselves “WTF are Aqua-Crobes?” After reading more about it, we discovered that DVH Aqua-Crobes is a new product that looks to do battle with pathogenic bacteria by releasing positive bacteria that compete for nutrients to help keep gram-negative bacteria like Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Streptococcus, Allococcus, Myxobacterium, and Columnaris at bay.

    How it works is since pathogenic bacteria are opportunistic, and given the opportunity and the right numbers, they will infect your fish and livestock causing major stress and strain on you and your system. However, this is where Aqua-Crobes comes in. Developed and released by the Netherlands’ D. van Houten, Aqua-Crobes are microbes based on the theory of competitive exclusion.

    Essentially through the introduction of large numbers of beneficial bacteria, Aqua-Crobes compete with the pathogenic bacteria for the nutrients in the water they depend on for survival. Additionally, antimicrobial peptides are produced that are toxic to pathogens.

    In the realm of bacterial warfare, it is impossible to rid the system of all negative bacteria. However, DVH Aqua-Crobes states the product keeps the bacterial count of the pathogens to such low levels that they will not be a threat to the health of your fish.

    The manufacturer also states Aqua-Crobes does not compete with other bacterial supplements since it removes different nutrients from the water. While others target ammonia and nitrogen in the system, this product attacks the waste nutrients that bacteria such as Aeromonas and Vibrio consume.

    The recommended dosing regimen is 1ml per 40 gallons once every three days for the first nine days, then switching to the same dose once a week for two weeks. After that, simply at .25ml per 40 gallons once a week. DVH Aqua-Crobes cost around $19.99 for a 100ml bottle.

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