Re: bloating, cat fish, and water quality

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Posted by EdK on November 10, 2001 at 10:08:44:

In Reply to: Re: bloating, cat fish, and water quality posted by Al on November 09, 2001 at 23:17:09:

: Thanks for the input. I've figured out the aspects for sound Biological filtration. It's amazing once you get a good filtration going and don't over feed...I very seldom have issues with my water quality now. I still need to do periodic cleanings and siphoning (more with pleurodeles). I have good plant growth as well. This seems to keep things also in check. Some plants give off more debris than others...I've read dead plant leaves/matter can also add to the bioburden.
: Al

Hi Al,
You are absolutley correct, its very easy when you get the hang of it.
All decomposing orgainc matter can increase the bioload in the aquarium. This occurs in two ways,
1) the more decomposition the higher the oxygen demand by the bacteria and the lower the oxygen availability for the rest of the inhabitants. Anaerobic (without oxygen) bacterial growth in an aquarium is potentially lethal to the other inhabitants through the release of hydrogen sulphide. Anaerobic growth can occur in gravel that has not be vacumned and has a high build up of organic material or in canister filters that have been shut off for long periods of time. Regular vacumning of the gravel, cleaning any canister filters that have been shut off for longer than four hours and heavy aeration will prevent this from becoming a problem.
2)all of the protiens end up as nitrate with the issues I mentioned in my previous post.
If the plant is shedding pieced frequently then it will contribute significantly to the bioload of the aquarium. If it is growing rapidly and you pull the excess pieces out then you are exporting nutrients to the benefit of your aquarium. The amount of light the plants get should help you choose your plants.
Ed

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: : Thanks for the input. I've figured out the aspects for sound Biological filtration. It's amazing once you get a good filtration going and don't over feed...I very seldom have issues with my water quality now. I still need to do periodic cleanings and siphoning (more with pleurodeles). I have good plant growth as well. This seems to keep things also in check. Some plants give off more debris than others...I've read dead plant leaves/matter can also add to the bioburden. : : Al : Hi Al, : You are absolutley correct, its very easy when you get the hang of it. : All decomposing orgainc matter can increase the bioload in the aquarium. This occurs in two ways, : 1) the more decomposition the higher the oxygen demand by the bacteria and the lower the oxygen availability for the rest of the inhabitants. Anaerobic (without oxygen) bacterial growth in an aquarium is potentially lethal to the other inhabitants through the release of hydrogen sulphide. Anaerobic growth can occur in gravel that has not be vacumned and has a high build up of organic material or in canister filters that have been shut off for long periods of time. Regular vacumning of the gravel, cleaning any canister filters that have been shut off for longer than four hours and heavy aeration will prevent this from becoming a problem. : 2)all of the protiens end up as nitrate with the issues I mentioned in my previous post. : If the plant is shedding pieced frequently then it will contribute significantly to the bioload of the aquarium. If it is growing rapidly and you pull the excess pieces out then you are exporting nutrients to the benefit of your aquarium. The amount of light the plants get should help you choose your plants. : Ed

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