Fish die in 12 hours...coral and clam live

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14158724#post14158724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by "Umm, fish?"
...Also, bacteria population doubling times are incredibly fast.

Andy,

While the bacteria we are talking about here (nitrifying bacteria) are present in billions and billions in a reef tank as you point out, nitrifers are slow growing (they're chemolithotrophs). This is why the initial cycle takes so long. Nitrifers have a doubling time of about 48 hours.

So in the end, this is why a 100% water change would work just fine: they aren't in the water in appreciable numbers to begin with!

Matt

 

["Umm fish?"]

I stand corrected. Thanks, Matt!