What You Need To Know About Nitrifying Bacteria

[Canadianeh]

I am still cycling my tank. 14 days in now.
My tank seems to be able to consume 2 ppm of ammonia within 24 hours. However, it seems very slow in consuming the Nitrites and bring it to 0 or close to 0 at least (since I believe there will always be a very small amount of Nitrites in water).
I believe I found the answer as to why my tank is much slower in converting to Nitrite to Nitrate.

As many of you know, there are two kinds of bacteria that we care the most when we talk about tank cycling. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
Nitrosomonas converts ammonia to Nitrites. Nitrobacter converts Nitrites to Nitrates.
Nitrosomonas ideal environment is with ph level between 7.8-8.0
Nitrobacter will have optimal growth with water ph between 7.3-7.5

Saltwater aquarist will aim to keep their tank ph level 7.8 and up. This will put Nitrosomonas bacteria in their optimal growth environment, and slow down Nitrobacter growth. Hence, it is normal to see high nitrite concentration in new tanks. I believe this is the answer to my question.

The other interesting thing is how many people leave their lights on during cycle. According to the article apparently nitrifying bacteria is photosensitive, and lights should stay off for minimum of 4 days until bacteria have colonized surfaces. During the first 3 days or so, bacteria may still suspended in water column which is sensitive to lights.

On the article, it also talks about how Phosphate is needed for Nitrobacter to oxidize Nitrite to Nitrate. But wait! All the talk on forums are how people trying to remove Phosphate from their tank by using macroalgae or chemipure! This is the part where I am confused and not sure. Quote from the article:
All species of nitrifying bacteria require a number of micronutrients. Most important among these is the need for phosphorus for ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) production. The conversion of ATP provides energy for cellular functions. Phosphorus is normally available to cells in the form of phosphates (PO4). Nitrobacter, especially, is unable to oxidize nitrite to nitrate in the absence of phosphates.

The article is provided by an aquatic design and consulting service company. This is the link to the article:http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

I enjoy the article and I hope you all as well

 

[shamous113]

Their is a fine line of phosphates that is usually added by an outside source, either by it leaching from the rock or the food or supplements that we add.

It amazes me how much ATP is tied to all living creatures.

"For your muscles -- in fact, for every cell in your body -- the source of energy that keeps everything going is called ATP. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the biochemical way to store and use energy.


For your muscles -- in fact, for every cell in your body -- the source of energy that keeps everything going is called ATP. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the biochemical way to store and use energy.
The entire reaction that turns ATP into energy is a bit complicated, but here is a good summary:

• Chemically, ATP is an adenine nucleotide bound to three phosphates.
  
  
  
• There is a lot of energy stored in the bond between the second and third phosphate groups that can be used to fuel chemical reactions.
  
  
  
• When a cell needs energy, it breaks this bond to form adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a free phosphate molecule.
  
  
  
• In some instances, the second phosphate group can also be broken to form adenosine monophosphate (AMP).
  
  
  
• When the cell has excess energy, it stores this energy by forming ATP from ADP and phosphate.
  
  
  
• ATP is required for the biochemical reactions involved in any muscle contraction. As the work of the muscle increases, more and more ATP gets consumed and must be replaced in order for the muscle to keep moving.

Because ATP is so important, the body has several different systems to create ATP. These systems work together in phases. The interesting thing is that different forms of exercise use different systems, so a sprinter is getting ATP in a completely different way from a marathon runner!

ATP comes from three different biochemical systems in the muscle, in this order:

1. Phosphagen system
2. Glycogen-lactic acid system
3. Aerobic respiration

Now, let's look at each one in detail."

 

[TORX]

You hit the nail on the head on this thread. This is one of the reasons that they say to stop using GFO to remove phosphates while you are starting with bio-pellets to reduce nitrates. If you are running true 0 phosphates, there is nothing to convert nitrate/nitrite. Try to remember, there is a balance in this hobby, everything you do can affect several other aspects, finding that balance is the hard part. In this case, you get the nitrates under wraps, then start to reduce phosphates if needed.

 

[Dingets]

Great thread!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scubasteve]

I am still cycling my tank. 14 days in now.
My tank seems to be able to consume 2 ppm of ammonia within 24 hours. However, it seems very slow in consuming the Nitrites and bring it to 0 or close to 0 at least (since I believe there will always be a very small amount of Nitrites in water).
I believe I found the answer as to why my tank is much slower in converting to Nitrite to Nitrate.

As many of you know, there are two kinds of bacteria that we care the most when we talk about tank cycling. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
Nitrosomonas converts ammonia to Nitrites. Nitrobacter converts Nitrites to Nitrates.
Nitrosomonas ideal environment is with ph level between 7.8-8.0
Nitrobacter will have optimal growth with water ph between 7.3-7.5

Saltwater aquarist will aim to keep their tank ph level 7.8 and up. This will put Nitrosomonas bacteria in their optimal growth environment, and slow down Nitrobacter growth. Hence, it is normal to see high nitrite concentration in new tanks. I believe this is the answer to my question.

The other interesting thing is how many people leave their lights on during cycle. According to the article apparently nitrifying bacteria is photosensitive, and lights should stay off for minimum of 4 days until bacteria have colonized surfaces. During the first 3 days or so, bacteria may still suspended in water column which is sensitive to lights.

On the article, it also talks about how Phosphate is needed for Nitrobacter to oxidize Nitrite to Nitrate. But wait! All the talk on forums are how people trying to remove Phosphate from their tank by using macroalgae or chemipure! This is the part where I am confused and not sure. Quote from the article:
All species of nitrifying bacteria require a number of micronutrients. Most important among these is the need for phosphorus for ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) production. The conversion of ATP provides energy for cellular functions. Phosphorus is normally available to cells in the form of phosphates (PO4). Nitrobacter, especially, is unable to oxidize nitrite to nitrate in the absence of phosphates.

The article is provided by an aquatic design and consulting service company. This is the link to the article:http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

I enjoy the article and I hope you all as well

As important as turning nitrite into nitrate is you should also look up anaerobic bacteria since the big issue for most is getting rid of nitrate. Also anaerobic bacteria will die in oxygenated areas. 2ppm ammonia consumption per day says its still early in your cycle. Ive always used fish food to start cycles as not only gives off ammonia but alot of phosphates as well. Really it doesnt matter what you do it will take time time either way. Adding bacteria with not enough food just kills it so wait to let it build its colony naturally.

 

[Canadianeh]

I haven't tried putting in more than 2 ppm as yet. I am following the dosage on dr tims bottle. I will try putting in 4 ppm in the near future

 

[AdInfinitum]

As important as turning nitrite into nitrate is you should also look up anaerobic bacteria since the big issue for most is getting rid of nitrate. Also anaerobic bacteria will die in oxygenated areas. 2ppm ammonia consumption per day says its still early in your cycle. Ive always used fish food to start cycles as not only gives off ammonia but alot of phosphates as well. Really it doesnt matter what you do it will take time time either way. Adding bacteria with not enough food just kills it so wait to let it build its colony naturally.

Actually obligate anaerobic bacteria are not what we would prefer to use to clear nitrate but rather facultative aerobes that when placed in an anoxic environment will strip oxygen from nitrate to support their aerobic metabolic functions in an environment with no dissolved oxygen, releasing nitrogen as a byproduct.

 

[scubasteve]

https://reefworks.co.uk/articles/understanding-nitrate/
Here's a good article about the importance of anaerobic bacteria and what it does without getting too technical. All I can say is my tank is a prime example of its effectiveness along with fuge and skimmer.

Facultative aerobes are better for water treatment type systems where you can controle the oxygen amounts forcing them to switch foods before starving the colony. In a reef where oxygen levels are constant at surface and anaerobic conditions constant at subsurface anaerobic bacteria are far more beneficial since the more efficient phos export is macro or mangroves.