Bio-film?

I heard that this is built during the cycling process if provided without any light during the cycle.

What does it do? I also read that this prevent from algea from unwanted building onto the rock

I read that cooking is tye only wat to obtain it. Is this true?

 

The bio-film will develop with or without light, it made be made up of different types of bacteria and algae and multicellular animals, the variations or numbers of contributors that make up the bio-film changes with regard to the environment provided. For instance the specific gravity of a solution may lend to a more favorable development of certain types of algae or bacteria of the bio-film.

Member m2434 has some excellent reference for the topic or subject of bio-film.

I am not sure regarding the cooking question, perhaps you could elaborate.

 

+1

As for "cooking", the term is used a bit loosely. Some use it in reference to curing their rock during the cycle process, but others are referring to bleaching the rock as a means of cleaning and sterilizing.

 

Which specific. Gravity is favorable 1.026?
Should I run the skimmer? During the cycle
Is temperature a factor? During the cycle
Will adding cheato during the cycle help biogilm?
Does bio film keep growing after the cycle?

 

!.026 is optimum for reef tanks, but can be lower for FO (1.020 - 1.025).

Yes, you should run your skimmer and anything else you plan to use for filtration during the cycle. They do not prolong the cycle as once thought.

Temp should be set where you plan to run the tank (78 - 83 is recommended for any tropical SW tank).

No, adding chaeto during the cycle won't affect the biofilm, although it will reduce nitrates. Not sure if it will survive high ammonia levels, though.

Once established, the biofilm is constantly changing depending on the bio-load. The reason for adding stock slowly is to allow the bio-filter to grow to the new load and help prevent an ammonia spike.

 

Well, bacteria process waste in our systems and make them habitable to our livestock. So, they are a form of "biofiltration". Withing biofilms, they are able to live together and share resources, allowing them to great expand in numbers, far beyond what they could accomplish if they were solitary. So, this helps expand the biofiltration capabilities of the system greatly. These are very complex structures though and can take time to grow and mature.

Most of the references I have are fairly advanced scientific papers, but this seems to be a good introduction. It's not specific to aquariums, but certainly the principles apply. Really more than you need to know, but quite fascinating. IMO anyways

Biofilms » American Scientist