tenwhiteduke
New member
How do you determine Bioload?
Bioload
- Thread starter tenwhiteduke
- Start date
serpentman
part time superhero
I suppose their may be a way to calculate the load by looking at biomass. However, I am not aware of any way to definitively measure bioload. There are many critical elements that factor into the load a particular system faces and each system is unique.
Basically, each animal that produces waste adds to your bioload. The amount of waste directly correlates to how much you feed, temperature (metabolic rate), health, etc.
Uneaten foods also contribute to a bioload.
In a nutshell, it becomes a guessing game...bigger than a breadbox kinda thing.
Basically, each animal that produces waste adds to your bioload. The amount of waste directly correlates to how much you feed, temperature (metabolic rate), health, etc.
Uneaten foods also contribute to a bioload.
In a nutshell, it becomes a guessing game...bigger than a breadbox kinda thing.
Leave it to an accountant to ask. 
We could analyze the food we use and add fixed amounts into the tank on a daily basis. We would then analyze the mass of all life in the tank. That is fish, corals, other invertebrates, protozoa, bacteria, viruses and keep a record of of the increase in mass over time. We would need to also factor in the algae looking at mass gained from photosynthesis vs that consumed by animal life. We would also monitor respiratory products such a carbon dioxide and nitrogen released from the water column. Then, using Quicken, MS-Money and TurboTax, we would calculate....
It is extremely hard to give simple numbers to guide the hobbyist. The whole concept is very complex and would be hard to model even with super computers. The reefkeeper must make subjective judgement on what his tank can handle. You can see what other have in their tanks as a guide but one must draw there own conclusions if they plan on adding a new large fish into a tank already well stocked.
I wish I could be of more help but there is no definitive answer available at this time.
We could analyze the food we use and add fixed amounts into the tank on a daily basis. We would then analyze the mass of all life in the tank. That is fish, corals, other invertebrates, protozoa, bacteria, viruses and keep a record of of the increase in mass over time. We would need to also factor in the algae looking at mass gained from photosynthesis vs that consumed by animal life. We would also monitor respiratory products such a carbon dioxide and nitrogen released from the water column. Then, using Quicken, MS-Money and TurboTax, we would calculate....
It is extremely hard to give simple numbers to guide the hobbyist. The whole concept is very complex and would be hard to model even with super computers. The reefkeeper must make subjective judgement on what his tank can handle. You can see what other have in their tanks as a guide but one must draw there own conclusions if they plan on adding a new large fish into a tank already well stocked.
I wish I could be of more help but there is no definitive answer available at this time.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
Water keeper said it pretty well. I judge my bioload by looking at nitrate and phosphate levels in my tank, compare them to readings taken right after the last water change. Usually I do not see an increase in either, but occasionally, when I overfeed too much, I can see a rise. For the most part, just use a little common sense and definatly look at many other tanks to get an "idea" of what apporpriate stocking levels would be.
