Probiotics & cichlids

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
That gunk on the filter is bb
I thought the bacteria colonised the media and the "gunk" was simply a build up of waste from inadequate mechanical filtration, which actually hinders nitrification by forming a barrier between the bacteria on the bio media and the water. I've certainly never had trouble with mini-cycles by maintaining "clean" bio media.


The product sounds interesting but I doubt we'll see it here in NZ, and my tank is running fine without it so I'll save my money for now.
 
Probiotic bacteria can be found in many forms, and is available world-wide. Rid-X is simply one form, marketed in the USA for septic systems.

The following product is used by aquarists in AU, and perhaps even NZ.

http://www.thepondshop.com.au/shop/product/lysofoss/123882

http://www.watercorporation.com.au/...nt-products/chemical-and-biological-additives

Oceania Research International
Attention:
George Groenveld
Postal address:
PO Box 176, PERTH WA 6005
Email:
oceaniaresearch@bigpond.com


My tanks were all running fine without probiotics as well, now they are simply running better. :)
 
Cant wait to pick up some Septobac for my septic system and Aquariums, My 19 inch Umbee is a really messy eater as he crunchs down on the pellets and food everywhere so definitly be using it on this tank!!! Thank you RD
 
Canamonster .......... In Canada there may be even a better product than SeptoBac. I'm just currently trying it out now. Bactri Pond, which is manufactured by Canadian BioSystems, just south of me in Calgary.

http://www.evenspray.com/Spec sheets/Bactri-Pond - PKG0309.pdf

It's designed for ponds, and contains Bacillus sp. bacteria, which is what most of these products contain in some form or another. Bactri Pond comes in a foil type re-sealable bag, that contains 50, 10 gram soluble white powder packets. Each pack treats 6,300 gallons of water. The beauty of this product is that it is VERY soluble in water, no need to premix, and no added bran fillers etc that one finds in the septic tank products. It's like adding a pinch of Seachem Safe to your tank, it dissolves on contact, and a little goes a LONG way.

I bought mine at a local hardware store, on end of season sale for $33.00

http://peaveymartonline.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=338


50 packets, x 6,300 gallons = 315,000 gallons of tank water that one can treat.

As Duane mentioned, the real beauty of these probiotic bacteria is they also outcompete many of the "bad" bacteria, such as the ones that cause serious health issues in ornamental fish. As well as other forms of bacteria, such as the ones that create green/blue algae. (cyanobacteria)

IMO probiotics are simply another tool that a hobbyist can use to keep their system running problem free, while also allowing one to cut back on some of the regular maintenance.
 
It works now. The only problem I can think of the rid-x killing off BB before it has a chance to convert the ammonia. That gunk on the filter is bb I know it looks horrible but it is beneficial to your system and doing 75% wc will definitely kill off any surviving bb and forcing a mini cycle. I would continue to use it and test water parameters frequently to make sure parameters are not out of whack.

A simple solution to your problems is pothos. They do exactly the samething with less work on you.





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Rid-X is bacteria. Bacteria eats waste. Bacteria of this type don't eat each other. I've done 90% water changes on discus tanks and never had an ammonia spike. Always remove as much of the gunk as you can because it creates nitrates and in fresh water ONE of and the most common ways to remove nitrates is through water changes.

Just thought another opinion should be said. Not that I'm right of course.
 
The BB deal has been covered so I'll leave that alone.

My tanks ran just fine before the Rid-X dosages & I had great success. This simply improved upon what I already had same as what RD stated (makes your system more efficient to be technical). My parachromis have especially shown better growth & conformation since starting these doses.

WC wise: you can Never change too much water. You can also never substitute a water change. Lowering nitrates is one thing, but fish also release hormones in their urine which needs to be removed regularly to maintain proper health. Big tank less stock = better dilution/ Big frequent water changes = even greater dilution.
 
Does anyone have a link to more information on Pothos plants?
 
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