Keeping my bacteria alive

[Virtual Balboa]

My new tank has cycled but I'm not ready to add a cuc or fish yet. I have ACE brand ammonia here and was thinking about dosing some in an attempt to keep the bacteria alive until I get a cuc. Or would I be better off adding some fish food? How long does the bacteria stay alive without a food source?

 

[oscarinw]

You can use either the food or the ammonia. Just use very little ammonia if you go that route. Bacteria will stay alive for a long time with no food. I would personally drop two flakes of food a day until happy fish shopping day.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I don't have any fish food here so at this time I'd be looking at going to Walmart. Would any old flaked fish food suffice?

 

[edinphilly]

It would for feeding bacteria but cheap (and some not so cheap) food has phosphates added as a preservative which will contribute to algae. I can almost guarantee Walmart doesn't have quality food so you may be better off with a couple drops of ammonia until you can get good food.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I understand. I'd rather buy the fish food I'm going to be using than throwing more money away.

 

[jay.fishman]

Given that you have the live rock in there you probably do not need to add anything. If you do add ammonia make sure it is pure, ie no additives other than water to dilute. I do not know if there are some ammonia products out there that are not pure. Go slowly, bad things happen with quick changes.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Given that you have the live rock in there you probably do not need to add anything. If you do add ammonia make sure it is pure, ie no additives other than water to dilute. I do not know if there are some ammonia products out there that are not pure. Go slowly, bad things happen with quick changes.

I bought the ammonia after reading several recommendations about which ammonia was appropriate for use in an aquarium. When I started the cycle I just let the die off from the dry rock fuel the cycle but I was changing the water too. It seemed to cycle very fast so someone suggested I add some ammonia and don't change the water this time. I added 1/2 tsp and the level shot up. After about three days the ammonia and nitrite were back to 0. So I'm guessing the bacteria level is good in there now. I just want to keep it good. I added a few drops of ammonia after posting this. I need to see where it's at. I was thinking the cycle was going to take a lot longer which would buy time while I'm waiting for the lights I want.

 

[Sk8r]

I never cycle with ammonia or what-not. I just drop a few flakes of fish food in daily, just as will happen when there's fish---it doesn't smell, doesn't create a problem---I mean, if the tank can't handle fishfood quietly and efficiently, it ain't workin', so to speak.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

That makes sense. I don't have any fish food here at the moment. Do you add any flakes once a cuc is introduced or do they produce enough waste to keep the tank in order?

 

[Sk8r]

Depends on tank size. I start with just a few snails and hermits simply because a new tank doesn't have much to offer them, and continue about 4-5 flakes daily. As algae and crud increase, I add more Cuc, and kind of watch to be sure they're moving about actively and eating.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Thanks, I understand what you're saying. It sounds like it'd be in my best interest to pick up some fish food.

 

[Azedenkae]

I just buy some seafood from the local supermarket, smoothie it all up and pour the mix in. Ammonia skyrocketed, but there's also plenty of bacteria that comes with the seafood and plenty to feed it, so things cycle quickly. Or so it would seem.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

My initial cycle has finished. I was wondering if I should use pure ammonia to keep the ammonia level up so the bacteria doesn't die since I haven't added a cuc yet. I think I'm going to just go buy some flaked food then use that. I have read several posts written by Sk8r and I know he knows his stuff.

 

[thegrun]

I have used ammonia to start the last the last few tanks I set up, but I would use a pinch of dry flake fish food daily to feed the bacteria after the cycle, not pure ammonia.

 

[Azedenkae]

I don't see how bacteria can survive on ammonia alone...

 

[VAReefDog]

Azedenkae- the bacteria that use ammonia as energy source will be survive well with pure ammonia- convert that to nitrite. The bacteria that use nitrite as energy source will then have food for converting to nitrate. It will keep those bacteria populations happy.
However- feeding small amount of fish food is likely more balanced and will support a more diverse group of bacteria. But without any fish to eat it and any cuc to clean it up- all of the fish food is just going to bacteria. So only a tiny amount needs to be fed.
Just my .02

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm going to pick up some flakes on my way to work. In the coming week I should have things in order to start adding the cuc.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Nitrification bacteria do not die quickly due to lack of ammonia; 3 weeks if very safe.

But if you need to feed them, do not use a tiny amount of food to decay, which is pointless.

The most economicaly way to keeping bacteria alive is infrequent addition of ammonia to about 3 ppm. Make sure there is oxygen and fair salinity.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Now this is how I get confused.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Now this is how I get confused.

Actually simple.

Nitrification bacteria are aerobic and need O2 to live.

They need ammonia or nitrite although not always to hang on to dear life. They can remain viable with periods of feast and famine.

Salinity should be reasonable also for the ease of using them.