Dr. Tim Hovanec's bacteria in a bottle
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RegalAngel
Member
These products work great!
http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=289&ref=4620&subref=AA&cmpid=E-_-CARE-_-32311-_-CYC
I use Seachem's Stability to provide the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for my systems.
I use it in my QT anytime I wish to setup my QT for a fish(es) for QT purposes and never have any ammonia.
I also used it in my 300g system when I started it up and never any ammonia.
I highly recommend its use for providing the necessary bacteria for a fully functional biological filtration system.
http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Stability.html
Stability® will rapidly and safely establish the aquarium biofilter in freshwater and marine systems, thereby preventing the #1 cause of fish death: "new tank syndrome". Stability® is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Unlike competing products, the bacteria employed by Stability® are non-sulfur fixing and will not produce toxic hydrogen sulfide. Stability® is completely harmless to all aquatic organisms as well as aquatic plants, thus there is no danger of over use. Stability® is the culmination of nearly a decade of research and development and represents the current state of the art in natural biological management.
Sizes: 50 mL, 100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 2 L, 4 L, 20 L
Why It's Different
Illustration of Stability's™ bacteria on biofiltration material. stability contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria
The bacteria used in competing products are inherently unstable. The conditions necessary for their growth and development fall into a very narrow range of temperatures, pH, organic loads, etc. When any of these parameters are not strictly within the proper range, the bacterial culture quickly crashes and dies. Stability® does not contain any of the aforementioned bacteria.
The bacteria strains in Stability® have been in development for over a decade. The necessary conditions for growth of our bacterial strains encompass a very broad range. When other bacteria begin to die off (usually from high organic loads caused by the undetected death of an organism), Stability® simply works harder and grows faster! The strains function in fresh or saltwater. Stability® contains both nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, a blend found in no other product. Additionally, Stability® contains facultative bacterial strains which are able to adapt to either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The bacteria in Stability® are non-sulfur fixing, another innovation in the industry. Most other bacterial supplements will form toxic hydrogen sulfide under the proper conditions. Stability® will not, ever.
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http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=289&ref=4620&subref=AA&cmpid=E-_-CARE-_-32311-_-CYC
I use Seachem's Stability to provide the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for my systems.
I use it in my QT anytime I wish to setup my QT for a fish(es) for QT purposes and never have any ammonia.
I also used it in my 300g system when I started it up and never any ammonia.
I highly recommend its use for providing the necessary bacteria for a fully functional biological filtration system.
http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Stability.html
Stability® will rapidly and safely establish the aquarium biofilter in freshwater and marine systems, thereby preventing the #1 cause of fish death: "new tank syndrome". Stability® is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Unlike competing products, the bacteria employed by Stability® are non-sulfur fixing and will not produce toxic hydrogen sulfide. Stability® is completely harmless to all aquatic organisms as well as aquatic plants, thus there is no danger of over use. Stability® is the culmination of nearly a decade of research and development and represents the current state of the art in natural biological management.
Sizes: 50 mL, 100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 2 L, 4 L, 20 L
Why It's Different
Illustration of Stability's™ bacteria on biofiltration material. stability contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria
The bacteria used in competing products are inherently unstable. The conditions necessary for their growth and development fall into a very narrow range of temperatures, pH, organic loads, etc. When any of these parameters are not strictly within the proper range, the bacterial culture quickly crashes and dies. Stability® does not contain any of the aforementioned bacteria.
The bacteria strains in Stability® have been in development for over a decade. The necessary conditions for growth of our bacterial strains encompass a very broad range. When other bacteria begin to die off (usually from high organic loads caused by the undetected death of an organism), Stability® simply works harder and grows faster! The strains function in fresh or saltwater. Stability® contains both nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, a blend found in no other product. Additionally, Stability® contains facultative bacterial strains which are able to adapt to either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The bacteria in Stability® are non-sulfur fixing, another innovation in the industry. Most other bacterial supplements will form toxic hydrogen sulfide under the proper conditions. Stability® will not, ever.
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Peale
New member
http://www.mrsaltwatertank.com/bacteria-in-a-bottle-snake-oil-or-worth-trusting/
I am soon transferring my tank to a new system with all new sand. I was worried about a mini cycle because of the move. I think I will get a bottle and see if it helps.
I am soon transferring my tank to a new system with all new sand. I was worried about a mini cycle because of the move. I think I will get a bottle and see if it helps.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
"Illustration of Stability's™ bacteria on biofiltration material. stability contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria."
How is it that Stability can keep both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria alive in an anaerobic bottle? It would seem to me that the anaerobic bacteria would consume the aerobic bacteria fairly quickly in an anaerobic bottle or if they oxygenate the water these bacteria are kept in, then the aerobic bacteria would consume the anaerobic bacteria and if kept in the bottle long enough, the O2 would run out and the aerobic bacteria would die? I would think the shelf-life of such bacterial supplements would be short.
How is it that Stability can keep both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria alive in an anaerobic bottle? It would seem to me that the anaerobic bacteria would consume the aerobic bacteria fairly quickly in an anaerobic bottle or if they oxygenate the water these bacteria are kept in, then the aerobic bacteria would consume the anaerobic bacteria and if kept in the bottle long enough, the O2 would run out and the aerobic bacteria would die? I would think the shelf-life of such bacterial supplements would be short.
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HighlandReefer
Team RC
Dr Tim's product makes more sense to me:
"One and Only contains species of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria that prefer to live in the aquarium environment."
In a new tank, I can see where Dr Tim's product may be benefitial but not much good for existing tanks with plenty of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria bacteria already in a tank that is handling ammonia already. I still wonder about the shelf-life of any of the bacterial supplements.
This product does not provide bacteria that can break down nitrate. So you will need to make sure that natural bacteria develop that can handle the nitrate before adding fish IMO.
"One and Only contains species of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria that prefer to live in the aquarium environment."
In a new tank, I can see where Dr Tim's product may be benefitial but not much good for existing tanks with plenty of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria bacteria already in a tank that is handling ammonia already. I still wonder about the shelf-life of any of the bacterial supplements.
This product does not provide bacteria that can break down nitrate. So you will need to make sure that natural bacteria develop that can handle the nitrate before adding fish IMO.
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HighlandReefer
Team RC
One thing you need to keep in mind is that bacterial spores are everywhere in the air in all areas of the world. You really don't need to add bacteria to a reef system to get it to cycle in fairly short order with the rate that they multiply.
How a hobbyist can differenciate between a naturally cycling tank and one that you add bacteria to, can only be determined through proper scientific research. Personally, I don't hold much faith in these bacterial supplements, especially if a test is done with a bacterial supplement that has been sitting on a shelf for 6 months or so.
Personally I would hold more confidence in using a cup of borrowed reef sand which is quickly added to your own system. The number and types of bacteria found in a cup of reef sand would be much greater than you will find in one of these bottles.
How a hobbyist can differenciate between a naturally cycling tank and one that you add bacteria to, can only be determined through proper scientific research. Personally, I don't hold much faith in these bacterial supplements, especially if a test is done with a bacterial supplement that has been sitting on a shelf for 6 months or so.
Personally I would hold more confidence in using a cup of borrowed reef sand which is quickly added to your own system. The number and types of bacteria found in a cup of reef sand would be much greater than you will find in one of these bottles.
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RegalAngel
Member
Q: Bio-spira has to remain refrigerated in order for the bacteria to survive. Why does Stability not need refrigeration? If there's living bacteria in the solution, how do they stay alive for so long? Or is there something else besides bacteria in the product altogether?
A: The bacteria in Stability are alive but not active. They exist in a spore form. They can withstand extreme temperatures and do not require food to survive. When you add them to your aquarium they become active due to dilution.
The bacterias that require refrigeration are active. Refrigerating them slows down their life cycle and they require less food when cold. Because they are active they do require food, and that is packaged with them. They also will not survive extreme heat or cold and will die when they run out of food.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Bacteria kept in liquids will not stay in spore form long. Refrigerating bacteria will slow their growth, but will not stop their growth as is demonstarted in the quick shelf life of less than 1 week for most products stored in a refrigerator.
In order for bacterial spores to last a long time, they need to be freeze dryed, where the spores can last for a very long period of time. This is why bacteria are stored in freeze dryed form for use in innoculating beers, medications, pesticides....etc.
Viability and Estimation of Shelf-Life of Bacterial Populations
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1057885/?page=1
Now if the aquarium industry followed suit with the rest of the industries (including bacteria used for pest control) that sell bacteria and sell them in freeze dryed form I may buy their arguments.
In order for bacterial spores to last a long time, they need to be freeze dryed, where the spores can last for a very long period of time. This is why bacteria are stored in freeze dryed form for use in innoculating beers, medications, pesticides....etc.
Viability and Estimation of Shelf-Life of Bacterial Populations
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1057885/?page=1
Now if the aquarium industry followed suit with the rest of the industries (including bacteria used for pest control) that sell bacteria and sell them in freeze dryed form I may buy their arguments.
RegalAngel
Member
Perhaps Seachem knows something you don't..
What makes
Stability so unique is that we have found a way to keep
the bacteria in a dormant spore state within the bottle,
allowing them to remain inactive until they are put into
the aquarium. Once in the water, the inhibitor is diluted
and the bacteria become active to begin working
immediately. This means that unlike competing products,
Stability does not need to be refrigerated and has a 4
year shelf life! Other products need to be refrigerated
because they are trying to prevent their bacteria from
becoming active within the bottle and potentially dead by
the time they are put into the aquarium. Fish can be added the
same day as Stability and they will not suffer from
ammonia toxicity as long as dosed according to the
instructions on the label! Another great aspect is that
it is an extremely safe product and there is really no
fear of overdosing. You can even pour it directly onto
your biological media (such as Matrix) for an even quicker
jump start of colonization. Other strains of bacteria
only operate under a very narrow range of parameters (pH,
temp, organic loads, etc.) and when these parameters
crash, so do the bacteria. The bacteria in Stability will
operate under a very broad range of conditions and when
other bacteria are dying off, the bacteria in Stability
are working and growing much faster! Stability should be
used not only for cycling a tank, but as regular
maintenance when doing water changes, adding fish, or when
medicating. This will ensure that you keep the balance up
between organic load and bacteria.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Perhaps Seachem knows something you don't..
Perhaps.
If so, I would expect that other industries would use it since this would be cheaper.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Microencapsulating bacteria is one of the latest methods used for enhancing the shelf-life of bacteria, yet it falls far short of SeaChem's claims. If infact if SeaChem has developed this wonderful new method for long term storage of bacteria it has not shown up in any of the research I can find. SeaChem would be sitting on a Gold Mine if they can do what they state. Based on their statements regarding some of their other products which are very misleading and/or untrue, I find it hard to believe this statement they are making about their bacterial product. Either freeze drying or storing in liquid nitrogen are the only methods currently used for long term bacterial storage, especially to the tune of 4 years.
Can encapsulation lengthen the shelf-life of probiotic bacteria in dry products?
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...f4da21f7d66dfb31c0c3f50863bf6593&searchtype=a
Received 17 February 2009; revised 16 September 2009; accepted 11 November 2009. Available online 17 November 2009.
Abstract
This study evaluated the use of microencapsulation to maintain probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) viability during exposure to detrimentally high levels of water activity. Freeze-dried LGG was mixed into a whey protein solution and sprayed onto a core particle. A second batch was prepared by applying an extra layer of palm oil onto the LGG encapsulates. Viability of the LGG preparations was measured over time in an accelerated shelf-life study at 37 °C which included exposure to different water activities (aw = 0.15 or 0.7), ambient oxygen, and incorporation of the probiotic in infant formula powder. Results showed that a high water activity (0.7) was detrimental to the survival of unencapsulated LGG, yielding more than a 10 log10 loss in cell viability within 2 weeks. The presence of oxygen and infant formula conferred no additional effects. Encapsulation of LGG did not improve the survival of this strain under the conditions tested here. Although encapsulation is often mentioned as a quick-fix for preserving probiotic viability in dry and semi-dry products, more studies are needed which validate the broader potential of this approach at different shelf-life expectancies, water activities, and product matrices.
Can encapsulation lengthen the shelf-life of probiotic bacteria in dry products?
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...f4da21f7d66dfb31c0c3f50863bf6593&searchtype=a
Received 17 February 2009; revised 16 September 2009; accepted 11 November 2009. Available online 17 November 2009.
Abstract
This study evaluated the use of microencapsulation to maintain probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) viability during exposure to detrimentally high levels of water activity. Freeze-dried LGG was mixed into a whey protein solution and sprayed onto a core particle. A second batch was prepared by applying an extra layer of palm oil onto the LGG encapsulates. Viability of the LGG preparations was measured over time in an accelerated shelf-life study at 37 °C which included exposure to different water activities (aw = 0.15 or 0.7), ambient oxygen, and incorporation of the probiotic in infant formula powder. Results showed that a high water activity (0.7) was detrimental to the survival of unencapsulated LGG, yielding more than a 10 log10 loss in cell viability within 2 weeks. The presence of oxygen and infant formula conferred no additional effects. Encapsulation of LGG did not improve the survival of this strain under the conditions tested here. Although encapsulation is often mentioned as a quick-fix for preserving probiotic viability in dry and semi-dry products, more studies are needed which validate the broader potential of this approach at different shelf-life expectancies, water activities, and product matrices.
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Back when I had a shop, I would test all the bacteria products- starting with the original "cycle" and going on from there. The diffrence in cycling time was within the margin of error. We had fun with the rep one time by setting up 2 tanks and cycling one with his product and one with a equal amount of garden soil. Soil tank beat his by a week (still within the margin of variability).
EDIT- a lot f the early products were freeze dried. I personally don`t believe in the viability of most of these products- and doubt any beat the cup of live sand- or dirt for that matter.
EDIT- a lot f the early products were freeze dried. I personally don`t believe in the viability of most of these products- and doubt any beat the cup of live sand- or dirt for that matter.
RegalAngel
Member
As stated above, I personally use Stability and it works as advertised....if you have not tried it, I suggest trying it out if you need to cycle tanks.
I have used it about two dozen times for my QT and it has worked every time with no ammonia showing ever with the Seachem ammonia alert badges.
I buy by the gallon and it still works after over a year in storage!!!
In fact, I just started using this gallon jug last Wednesday for two new triggerfish additions, and so far no ammonia....as always.
I do think it is worthwhile to have an excellent filter for the bacteria to setup in order to do the job properly on the water passed thru, and that
is where many fail.
I have used it about two dozen times for my QT and it has worked every time with no ammonia showing ever with the Seachem ammonia alert badges.
I buy by the gallon and it still works after over a year in storage!!!
In fact, I just started using this gallon jug last Wednesday for two new triggerfish additions, and so far no ammonia....as always.
I do think it is worthwhile to have an excellent filter for the bacteria to setup in order to do the job properly on the water passed thru, and that
is where many fail.
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RickMartin
New member
I have always been skeptical about shelf life of any bacteria.
At one of the shows recently I asked the company rep about it and what he said was something like the bacteria is bottled with nutrients, hydrogen sulfide is produced in low amounts and acts as an anesthesia to extend the shelf life for very long periods. Not knowing enough to say one way or the other I went on my merry way.
Is this plausible?
At one of the shows recently I asked the company rep about it and what he said was something like the bacteria is bottled with nutrients, hydrogen sulfide is produced in low amounts and acts as an anesthesia to extend the shelf life for very long periods. Not knowing enough to say one way or the other I went on my merry way.
Is this plausible?
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Rick,
SeaChem is going to have to come up with a better story than what you have stated to make me a believer.
Hydrogen sulfide is a bi-product of anaerobic bacterial breakdown and is highly toxic in a reef tank. In an airtight container without much oxygen, you expect hydrogen sulfide to be produced by the anaerobic bacteria. Unfortunately the anaerobic bacteria will utilize the aerobic bacteria as a food source in anaerobic conditions whether they are living or dead or if like they claim anesthetized.
If you open a container of any of these bacterial mixes sold, and can detect a sulfur odor (rotten egg smell) I would not add it to my tank.
Randy provides more details regarding hydrogen sulfide in this article:
Hydrogen Sulfide and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/index.php
From Randy's article:
"One way that hydrogen sulfide exerts its toxicity is by inhibiting a mitochondrial enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. It can be inhibited at hydrogen sulfide levels in solution as low as 30 ppb.12 Such inhibition limits the ability of mitochondria to produce energy for cells. Another enzyme, catalase, is inhibited at concentrations of 6,000 ppb.12 Other mechanisms of toxicity are also likely, and have recently been studied.13"
SeaChem is going to have to come up with a better story than what you have stated to make me a believer.
Hydrogen sulfide is a bi-product of anaerobic bacterial breakdown and is highly toxic in a reef tank. In an airtight container without much oxygen, you expect hydrogen sulfide to be produced by the anaerobic bacteria. Unfortunately the anaerobic bacteria will utilize the aerobic bacteria as a food source in anaerobic conditions whether they are living or dead or if like they claim anesthetized.
If you open a container of any of these bacterial mixes sold, and can detect a sulfur odor (rotten egg smell) I would not add it to my tank.
Randy provides more details regarding hydrogen sulfide in this article:
Hydrogen Sulfide and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/index.php
From Randy's article:
"One way that hydrogen sulfide exerts its toxicity is by inhibiting a mitochondrial enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. It can be inhibited at hydrogen sulfide levels in solution as low as 30 ppb.12 Such inhibition limits the ability of mitochondria to produce energy for cells. Another enzyme, catalase, is inhibited at concentrations of 6,000 ppb.12 Other mechanisms of toxicity are also likely, and have recently been studied.13"
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RickMartin
New member
It wasn't Seachem, but another company who specializes in bottled bacteria. My intent wasn't to bash any company but merely to find out if that was a reasonable explanation.
