Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone use Biotize or any other water additive in their tanks to help reduce waste or promote "good" bacteria?
Thanks,
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I use Aquatize in all my tanks and have done so for about a year. Previously I used Repti-safe. I haven't seen any bad effects on the darts, mantellas, or turtles that I keep. My tanks all have false bottoms with water areas and are all naturally filtered through various mosses, cocofiber, peat, gravel, and fiberglass screen (in that order). I do change the water also, at least every other week, and I use tap water that has been treated with Aquatize and aged at least a day.

I have used several brands of water additives that add denitrying bacteria to the system in both aquariums and smaller waterways in the viviariums. I've never had problems with this and it does seem to help. The circulation tubing becomes colonized with a biofilm of these organisms, acting as a secondary filter. I suspect that another advantage is that crowding the environment with the "beneficial" bacteria prevents the colonization of other potentially "harmful" bacteria by sheer competition.

However, none of these brands ever lists the species of bacteria they use. There are a lot of denitrifying bacteria in the environment (including some pathogens), and I'm just curious about which ones are being used in these products.
Does anyone know?

This isn't really related, but I have a septic tank and have always questioned the use of septic tank additives, which list the bacteria they contain. What has always amused me about this list, is it contains the bacteria found in normal human bowel flora, so using the additive seems a bit redundant.
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Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

Anything claiming it has nitrifying bacteria and will speed the cycle is snake oil. Bacteria needs oxygen, and ammonia to live and reproduce. Where would this supposed bacteria get this in a bottle?

interesting... I read that some are intended to help break down waste, and that was my thought. I change my water each month, but was looking to help make sure there was nothing to worry about.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Ammonia and ammonium are converted by filter bacteria (Nitrosomonas) to highly poisonous nitrites, which in turn, are converted (by Nitrobacter bacteria) to relatively nonpoisnous nitrates. This "bacterial nitrication" requires a lot of oxygen.
Swamp and land plants absorb nitrates.
If you have had a set-up for any length of time (about 8wks) you have naturally started your colony.
The trickle wall and lots of plants should give you the environment you need.
You were right on with your statement of giving to good bacteria the edge to suppress the bad.