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How much does light effect the growth of "beneficial" bacteria?
- Thread starter castle
- Start date
This topic has been discussed here: Dr Timothy Hovanec's comments about Bacterial supplements
In my opinion, it's one of those things that gets way overblown in theory with little application to actual aquarium keeping. Aquarium lights are of a reduced spectrum compared to sunlight ( most lack significant UV radiation) and have a reduced intensity. If there really is no shade, biofilms will create some.
In my opinion, it's one of those things that gets way overblown in theory with little application to actual aquarium keeping. Aquarium lights are of a reduced spectrum compared to sunlight ( most lack significant UV radiation) and have a reduced intensity. If there really is no shade, biofilms will create some.
Great, I’ll read the thread.
I’m looking at reducing light on my tanks down to something like a 2w led, I don’t expect to be able to grow any plants, and with that I’m trying to understand how I can best support these tanks stability. I don’t for example expect duckweed to grow 😅
I’m looking at reducing light on my tanks down to something like a 2w led, I don’t expect to be able to grow any plants, and with that I’m trying to understand how I can best support these tanks stability. I don’t for example expect duckweed to grow 😅
John q
Member
Bacteria will grow without light, it will also grow with light. Not really sure what you're asking. 🤫
So I don’t seem so silly, I appreciate there are probabaly billions of types of bacteria, and some will obviously be excellent with or without light.
I guess this question is too vague, I don’t know what bacteria are good, nor could I grow them even if I wanted too 😂 what I wondered is whether there could be some that could help with aquarium stability and high grow better with some light than not.
I’m going to guess light makes little difference in aquarium microbiome, thanks for helping me get to that conclusion.
I’m starting to willing to bet, some aquariums probabaly have very different bacteria in them depending on their local water/owners etc.
Tbh, I’m not even sure these bacteria colonies are that stable anyway
I guess this question is too vague, I don’t know what bacteria are good, nor could I grow them even if I wanted too 😂 what I wondered is whether there could be some that could help with aquarium stability and high grow better with some light than not.
I’m going to guess light makes little difference in aquarium microbiome, thanks for helping me get to that conclusion.
I’m starting to willing to bet, some aquariums probabaly have very different bacteria in them depending on their local water/owners etc.
Tbh, I’m not even sure these bacteria colonies are that stable anyway
Simon Cole
Member
Yes, it will. In a biofilm, algae are the producers, and they provide organic molecules to consumers (bacteria and other microbes). They also remove nutrients from the water column. The biofilm provides a matrix (e.g. polysaccharides) supporting the microbial assemblage, allowing it to attach to hard surfaces. Sponge filters do trap flocculants, but they do not tend to form very much biofilm - perhaps because they are too dark to support algae (linked here).
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Autotrophic Bacteria: Definition, Types, Examples and Importance
Autotrophic bacteria synthesize their own food using energy from light or inorganic chemical compounds. Learn about different types of Autotrophic Bacteria, at BYJU’S.
byjus.com
Hi all,
It has been used as an argument for why only the filter bacteria count in nitrification, because the filter is the only place that is dark.
It would be fair to say that I'm less than convinced by this as an argument, but unfortunately I've had a lot of correspondence (<"much of it fairly abusive">) telling me that it is one of the (many) reasons why plants are obviously irrelevant to nitrification and that they actually limit nitrification because plants need light and having a light inhibits bacterial nitrification.
cheers Darrel
The suggestion is that the bacteria involved in nitrification are light sensitive and <"photoinhibition can limit nitrification">. You mention this in <"algae and algae spores in filter?">
It has been used as an argument for why only the filter bacteria count in nitrification, because the filter is the only place that is dark.
It would be fair to say that I'm less than convinced by this as an argument, but unfortunately I've had a lot of correspondence (<"much of it fairly abusive">) telling me that it is one of the (many) reasons why plants are obviously irrelevant to nitrification and that they actually limit nitrification because plants need light and having a light inhibits bacterial nitrification.
What @Simon Cole says. I'd guess that you get a much more varied microbial community with added light, and as fair as I'm concerned <"diversity brings stability">.
cheers Darrel
plantnoobdude
Member
Obviously plants are relevant to nitrification. As for the light argument, wouldn’t much of the substrate not be exposed to any light… some people are a bit ridiculous😂
Hi all,
Cheers Darrel
You would be amazed, a lot of traditional "fish keepers" are still very ill disposed towards plants.
Cheers Darrel
_Maq_
Member
Actually, it's the other way round.
(1) First step - so called conditioning film. Organic substances with a tendency to seek phase interfaces (hard surfaces).
(2) Second step - solely bacterial biofilm. Bacteria create the polysaccharide matrix.
(3) Only after that benthic algae can develop. They have no roots to penetrate the surface. Naturally, not only algae but fungi, protozoa, etc. assemble in the biofilm and then contribute to its development.
[Learned from Sigee - Freshwater microbiology.]
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Tanksy
Member
I've been reading about bacteria a few days ago. I might be wrong, but I thought the main reason that nitrifying bacteria grow faster in the filter is because of the filter media (porous media=more surface area).
I also thought that nitrifying bacteria can be found everywhere in an aquarium system (rock, substrate, etc.). That's why the most important thing in a SW aquarium is the live rock. Because of all the bacteria and microorganisms on it.
Nitrifying bacteria are autotrophs, so it doesn't matter if there's light or not, right?
Simon Cole
Member
Check out <this article> because it talks a bit about the impact of light on nitrifying bacteria and it was only published two months ago!
Well it sort of matters.
Thing is it is actually quite complicated.
Even " which" nitrifiers one is referring to.
Marine or fw or soil..
Species ect.
Light-Mediated Nitrite Accumulation during Denitrification by Pseudomonas sp. Strain JR12
The effect of light on the denitrifying characteristics of a nonphotosynthetic denitrifier, Pseudomonas sp. strain JR12, was examined. Already at low light intensities, nitrite accumulated as a result of light inhibition of nitrite but not of nitrate ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Rough draft.. more just fyi's
Fun calculator..
Hi all,
Because we now know <"that nitrification"> (and I'd <"guess denitrification">) is carried out by a <"much greater range of organisms"> than the <"traditional view">. I'm willing to bet that <"any established planted tank"> contains multiple sites where nitrification (and denitrification) occur, with the <"microbial assemblage fine tuned"> to the prevailing oxygen and fixed nitrogen supply.
I'd also wager that that the <"microbial assemblage"> will show a relatively quick response to changes in oxygen and ammonia levels.
cheers Darrel
That is an interesting paper. Forced aeration is one of the <"major costs in waste water treatment">, so there are financial benefits if you can just use light and microalgae <"to supply your oxygen">.
In nitrification <"dissolved oxygen is the parameter that really matters">, but it doesn't really matter <"how you top it up">.
A bit of both really, a suitable environment and a constant flow of oxygen (and potentially ammonia) rich water. In nearly all cases microbial nitrification isn't restricted <"by lack of surface area">, it is restricted by lack of oxygen.
They can. In a planted tank you have the rhizosphere, <"a zone of fluctuating REDOX values"> surrounding the growing root. Roots are <"leaky structures">, sloughing off carbon rich cells and leaking oxygen and organic compounds into the root zone.
Because we now know <"that nitrification"> (and I'd <"guess denitrification">) is carried out by a <"much greater range of organisms"> than the <"traditional view">. I'm willing to bet that <"any established planted tank"> contains multiple sites where nitrification (and denitrification) occur, with the <"microbial assemblage fine tuned"> to the prevailing oxygen and fixed nitrogen supply.
I'd also wager that that the <"microbial assemblage"> will show a relatively quick response to changes in oxygen and ammonia levels.
cheers Darrel
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_Maq_
Member
Several years ago I conducted an experiment. It showed that nitrification initiated and run invariably with or without any filtration, just in silica sand. Now I'm running all my tanks without filtration (just with pumps to make water flowing and venturi to increase/maintain O2 and CO2 content) and I can clearly detect nitrification by measuring nitrogen directly or by pH move in response to dosing either ammonium (pH drop) or nitrates (pH rise).
towneeulalia
New Member
Light is not necessary for the growth of beneficial bacteria, as light can limit the growth of bacteria.
Hi all,
In terms of the organisms that <"actually oxidise ammonia">? <"I'd guess"> that they aren't all inhibited by light, and even if they are? It still doesn't matter, because they are going to be effectively shielded by the <"biofilms surrounding them">.
Cheers Darrel
It depends how you define "beneficial", personally <"I'm keen on cyanobacteria">, but I understand that view isn't universal.
In terms of the organisms that <"actually oxidise ammonia">? <"I'd guess"> that they aren't all inhibited by light, and even if they are? It still doesn't matter, because they are going to be effectively shielded by the <"biofilms surrounding them">.
Cheers Darrel
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