Nitrafying Bacteria

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by techno2, May 17, 2009.

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  1. invert phil

    invert phil Millepora

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2009
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    As others have said your best to just let it cycle naturally, the problem with bacterial products is knowing when to stop adding them. If you read their instructions you should add some each week and keep your bacterial population topped up, IMO this is crazy once the cycle is complete your nitrifying bacteria will be in balance with the amount of waste your fish/inverts produce and there is no need to add more bacteria. IME If you didn't have live sand or live rock then these products are beneficial to kick start your bacterial population, but only one dose is necessary and it will still take around 6 weeks for the cycle to complete and the end product of this cycle is always nitrate. I would just test every few days for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. As soon as ammonia and nitrite have elevated and then gone back to zero I would do some water changes to reduce the corresponding nitrate levels until your anaerobic bacteria in live rock/ anaerobic pockets of sand can cope and you can reduce the number of water changes.