The role of nitrifying bacteria

Nitrifying bacteria are not often mentioned in daily life, but friends who raise fish know that it plays an important role. Nitrifying bacteria are not fungi in the usual sense. Instead, they are a type of nitrifying bacteria that can convert ammonia in the fish tank into nitrite, thereby eliminating its toxicity and allowing fish to grow healthily. Friends who are interested can learn more about the relevant knowledge.

1. Nitrifying bacteria

Nitrobacteria Nitrosobacteria include bacteria in the genera Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, and Nitrosolobus. Nitrate bacteria include bacteria in the genera Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus and Nitrocystis. It is a type of aerobic bacteria, including nitrite bacteria and nitrate bacteria.

Nitrifying bacteria need water and a lot of oxygen to survive. This is why we need to put so many biochemical cotton, biochemical balls, bacterial houses, glass rings, ceramic rings and other microporous filter materials in our fish tanks. At the same time, oxygen is also needed when cultivating nitrifying bacteria. They can only survive if they have both water and oxygen. Nitrifying bacteria live best in slightly alkaline water, and grow and reproduce fastest when the temperature reaches around 25 degrees.

Some friends believe that nitrifying bacteria can decompose feces; others believe that it can purify water and neutralize suspended matter in the water. Although judging from the results, it seems that these are correct. But in fact, these understandings are inaccurate, or even wrong. Nitrifying bacteria are producers, not decomposers.

2. So what is a decomposer?

The task of decomposing organic matter is accomplished by other water-purifying bacteria. In the water ecological circulation system, if there are no other heterotrophic bacteria, the water will be filled with organic matter that has not been decomposed by bacteria. This self-polluting aquarium environment will also make it impossible for fish to survive in it. Therefore, they are often regarded as the vanguard of water self-purification, and their importance is no less than that of nitrifying bacteria. This type of bacteria is commonly found in various environments. They are almost everywhere, and their reproduction speed is quite amazing. Most heterotrophic water-purifying bacteria can double themselves in just a few tens of seconds in an ideal environment, and generally only take more than twenty minutes to double. But if we keep fish in a bare tank, we need to use physical circulation to suck out the leftover bait or feces in the water.

3. Why work so hard to cultivate nitrifying bacteria?

Before answering this question, let's first take a look at what substances in the fish tank are harmful to our beloved fish.

In the fish tank, there are two common types of dirt or garbage that we can see with our naked eyes: fish excrement and uneaten food residues. When these two substances stay in water for a long time, the oxygen-demanding bacteria in them will cause the proteins to break down, producing a chemical reaction and turning them into ammonia. Ammonia is toxic to fish.

At this time, our nitrifying bacteria are needed to come into play. Nitrite bacteria living in oxygen can convert ammonia into nitrite (NO2-); although nitrite is only slightly toxic, it is still deadly to fish. At this time, nitrate bacteria take over and oxidize nitrite into nitrate (NO3-), which is almost non-toxic. But sudden or prolonged exposure to high concentrations of nitrates can be harmful. The concentration of nitrates can be reduced by changing the water in the fish tank, which is why we need to change the water in the fish tank frequently.

After reading the above content, do you understand a lot? Since nitrifying bacteria are so important, how do we get them?

Generally speaking, after the oxygen content and organic matter in the fish tank reach normal levels, stable nitrifying bacteria can be established in about ten days. This is why we at Hangtai Aquarium generally recommend that you keep the fish in water for more than ten days. Nitrifying bacteria are not drugs. Once they are stabilized, they can continue to reproduce for a long time as long as the environment does not change drastically, without the need for any addition.

After reading this, some friends may be thinking, why do I buy so many nitrifying bacteria? Isn't it a waste?

In fact, it is not a waste. Why do we recommend that you add some after cleaning the filter equipment? I believe everyone knows something about it. Most of the nitrifying bacteria live on the filter material, and cleaning the filter material will wash away most of the nitrifying bacteria, so it is still necessary for us to add them artificially.