Solid Carbon and NPS

[Akwarius]

I'm wondering if anyone could shed some light on this topic. I've been using solid carbon to help with nutrient export for over a month now and have noticed a marked increase in the number of feather dusters and as well as sponge growth in my system. Could the bacteria produced by solid carbon be a legitimate food source for these organisms? If so, can other nonphotosynthetic and filter feeding organisms benefit from this bacteria as well? Has anyone had any success with solid carbon in this regard?

[timmmysli]

I have noticed a significant increase in small filter feeders while I was dosing vsv solutions.

But I've also noticed an increase through increased feedings which you'd also expect to result in a higher bacterial density.

[Akwarius]

Good point. I've only just started to feed every day to keep my new angel happy. Prior to two weeks ago i had four less fish, one less bubble tip, and was only feeding my understocked 125 once per week. The influx of feather dusters occured before the frequent feeding, which led me to conclude that the bacteria must be feeding them.

[Akwarius]

To further test the theory of bacteria as a food source, what would be a good organism to add to the tank as a barometer? A gorgonian? Carnation?

[Aquabacs]

Yes, the pellets (solid carbon) can be used for creating a bacterioplankton generator. This can help aid in your feeding regime for non-photosynthetic corals and filer filters. As for a sole source of nutrition for sustaining them and have them thrive in a closed system, no. I could only wish it was that easy, put a reactor of biodegradable plastic pellets in my sump, and walk away. Creating a bacterioplankton generator can be achieved other ways as well, if you don't want to go the pellet route. I can see the allure one may have of being drawn to simple, single reactor with pellets tumbling around verus the sometimes complex VSV, Zeo, Prodibio, FM Ultralith carbon dosing methods and creating the same results.














Mike

[Akwarius]

I know how naive this proposition may sound, particularly to those of you who have dedicated their tanks to the very specific needs of these organisms. The only reason I even considered introducing nps were the odd signs that hinted at planktonic life. I failed to mention before that my water column is bustling with suspended sediment, yet my nutrient levels are near zero. Also, I had previously dosed heavily with vsv, and never had such peculiar results. Lastly, my pellet reactor's output is back into my sump rather than my skimmer (because of plumbing issues). This, I believe, is introducing more "shed" bacteria into the water column than most other folks who use this product.

So then, if the bacterioplankton is a food source, which organisms benefit from it the most and to what extent can it supplement their diet?

[Akwarius]

Double post

[Aquabacs]

When you dosed VSV were you using a Zeo type reactor or mesh bag with zeolites/ actually any type of medium (bioballs, fluval macaroni, etc)? Having any of the above items, creating a surface for the biofilm to colonize on, then agitate to so it would enter the water column in a higher number would create a similar result.

[Akwarius]

When dosing vsv, no such media was used. The bacteria likely colonized within the live rock, sand, or other stationary surfaces at that time.

[ari5736]

Has anyone tried to keep NPS such as dendronephthya with just the pellets. When I say pellets, I mean pellets that have been running for 6 months and producing heavy amounts of bacteria mulm. If not I may try to get my hands on a cheap dendro and put it in an area of high flow in my tank and see if it lives. My pellet reactor creates a ton of bacterial slime.

[uhuru]

If you try it, I wouldn't be as concerned with getting a cheap dendro as much as the healthiest one possible. Otherwise, if you fail, its hard to know whether its from something you did or from the coral being too sick to save no matter what. You might also consider fragging it and mounting the cuttings in different locations, maybe even target feeding some of them with microplankton and phytoplankton to see if there is any difference. The survival rate of these guys is like 0.001% we really need to start making the most of our attempts. If you can get maricultured even better.

[ari5736]

If you try it, I wouldn't be as concerned with getting a cheap dendro as much as the healthiest one possible. Otherwise, if you fail, its hard to know whether its from something you did or from the coral being too sick to save no matter what. You might also consider fragging it and mounting the cuttings in different locations, maybe even target feeding some of them with microplankton and phytoplankton to see if there is any difference. The survival rate of these guys is like 0.001% we really need to start making the most of our attempts. If you can get maricultured even better.

Aren't you having success with these corals? I hear you though. I just wonder if massive amounts of bacteria is the secret with these beautiful creatures.