Alex Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 G'dayJust some quick thoughts. Nitrosomonas sp. Is an important bacteria to the Nitrogen cycle, and is essentially the powerhouse in biological filtration. Converting Ammonia to nitrite. From memory Nitrobacter is responsible for the conversion of Nitrite to Nitrate.This microbe is photophobic, and when subjected to light will create a biofilm to avoid light. Light would not be an issue in most canister filters, as they would be in complete darkness except when being cleaned - and some canister filters that have transparent walls (some eheim) - although the amount of light penetrating the frosted plastic would be greatly reduced.I guess my thoughts, are what about in a sump application, the bacteria would be subjected to a reasonable amount of light, in particular those people who grow plants in sumps to reduce nitrate levels (not everyone does this). We would be subjecting our beneficial bacteria to light? Of course these bacteria would create this biofilm, at an energy cost I am sure. This genus is also largely motile, would an environment with lots of light then promote this bacteria to move to areas of low light/no light concentrating the bacteria within specific areas within a sump?I guess the question I am asking myself and anyone else would be - would blacking out a sump so light is greatly reduced or even eliminated create an environment where biological filtration becomes more efficient? Or is the creating of a biofilm and the photophobic nature of the Genus negligible and the net gain of a low light environment Vs bright environment be very small (or unnoticeable)? This is not a topic I have ever seen raised.Thoughts?Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Good topic...You know what i think about when i watch my fish tank? Beers usually... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azedenkae Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Assuming everything you said is correct (not saying it's not, just haven't really went through all this for a while, and forgot a lot of it), I'd assume most of the Nitrosomonas would be living inside your biofilter media, which should be pretty dark. This would probably be truer with MarinePure and stuff like that, but I'd imagine it'd be quite similar regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 A similar point was made by a shop owner I have had this conversation with. MarinePure is just one example of biological media, that very well may have darkened voids within the media. What about k1/3 media, noodles and bio balls etc? All very open media with no dark areas?I don't think keeping a sump or similar in darkness is going to be anything revolutionary, but may get an extra 5-10% performance? Similar to keeping a high KH/GH does wonders for biological filtration. If as an aquarist you can maximise everything you do, all these 5%ers add up. I think Biological filtration can be related to high performance athlete every little thing you can do to maximise efficiency and performance is worth doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azedenkae Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 A similar point was made by a shop owner I have had this conversation with. MarinePure is just one example of biological media, that very well may have darkened voids within the media. What about k1/3 media, noodles and bio balls etc? All very open media with no dark areas?I dun really know. XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccal Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Beneficial bacteria are superb adapters,,, even maybe mutate to suit surroundings slightly to be more efficient.But performance of the bb after changes have taken place would take a truckload of vigorous testing I'd say,I've never come across any research or study on this.You perfectionist you,,, hahh hahh.Should drop 12k and get a Nexus filter from Alan Bennett. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 12k for a nexus! I'd rather spend half that and build something twice as good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckmeister Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've gotta say that I have just assumed that a dark environment is the beneficial environment for it to be in. I've never heard of anyone asking the question. For me and my sump situation, I just detest algae (excess light), though its probably one of the best nitrate consumers in the tank but I guess it comes with maintenance.edit - got me thinking if anyone has blackened out a chamber of their sump and dedicated it to algae growth with a small light above just that chamber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LithoMan Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Something off topicI use a head torch in my fish room on occasion ...When i do pretty much instantly on some tanks not all..I notice the fish start to flash(scratch) and then i turn the light off watch them for 5 min or so nothing... then i try again turn light on and see a few do same flashing HMMMMMMM...My room has a medium light feel to it not bright..most tanks have a darker look to them(room works off 1 fluro tube all day)you think the light is triggering a parasite ???? or the light is just annoying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccal Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've gotta say that I have just assumed that a dark environment is the beneficial environment for it to be in. I've never heard of anyone asking the question. For me and my sump situation, I just detest algae (excess light), though its probably one of the best nitrate consumers in the tank but I guess it comes with maintenance.edit - got me thinking if anyone has blackened out a chamber of their sump and dedicated it to algae growth with a small light above just that chamberThat's another good subject within a subject.Algae being beneficial for nitrates.Would it be close to effectiveness as medias that are meant to lower nitrates .....Most certainly does,,,, especially pea soup water (measured turbidity).In situations of temperamental fry rearing, not only does algae turbidity serve as food,, it smashes nitrates.Can't see why heavy sheaths of algae growing on substrate, sides and ornament surfaces can't be beneficial.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccal Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Something off topicI use a head torch in my fish room on occasion ...When i do pretty much instantly on some tanks not all..I notice the fish start to flash(scratch) and then i turn the light off watch them for 5 min or so nothing... then i try again turn light on and see a few do same flashing HMMMMMMM...My room has a medium light feel to it not bright..most tanks have a darker look to them(room works off 1 fluro tube all day)you think the light is triggering a parasite ???? or the light is just annoying I remember pondering this ages ago.When fish feel irritated in any way,,, that flashing and flicking behavior can be seen a lot of the time.Fish don't have eye lids, instant entrance of extra sudden light (even small increases), into their eyes distraghts them,,, hence the flashing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlecoSam Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Do fish have eye lashes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccal Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Only the pretty ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phenomena Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151126134915.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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