So, it looks like i killed my bio filtration, what should i do now?

[knutcracker]

So, after months, i think i am certain my bio filtration (nitrifying bacteria) have been killed off. what can i do now to bring them back?

i know that i can add new LR, but my 26g tank already has 50lb of LR and can't fit anymore.

are there bacterial "packages" out there I can just add to the tank?

my sandbed looks dead too, perhaps i also need a kit to liven it up a little?

[leebca]

The challenge is usually to get these bacteria to set up 'housekeeping.' But once there and established they are extremely hard to totally wipe out.

I'd like to know what makes you think they are dead? What has happened?

Before live rock came to the hobby, aquariums kept these bacteria alive and well with no live rock and dead coral. The bacteria are 'in the air.' It doesn't take live rock to keep these bacteria, so adding or replacing live rock should not be answer. The rock, like the substrate and all things inside the aquarium, including the aquarium side walls, act as a surface for these bacteria to 'sit' on and live.

A general consensus on the bacterial additives is to save your money. It takes time for the bacteria to set up housekeeping and they will multiply and do their job when Mother Nature says its ready.

I'd like to also know and understand what you mean when you say your "sandbed looks dead too." Can you be more specific. What is it you don't see or are seeing that makes you think this?

The participants in this Forum will help you get the bacteria back up and running, but unless the thing that caused their demise is clearly understood, it might be a wasted effort.

Hang in there!

[Reefland]

I'm also curious as to why you think they are dead? The only way to re-establish them is to re-seed the tank with new liverock and livesand.

Also, please check the e-mail address you have registered with us as it is no longer valid.

[Ninong]

The only way to re-establish them is to re-seed the tank with new liverock and livesand.

Scott,

"Re-seeding" the tank with new liverock and livesand is always beneficial but it isn't neccessary. As leebca has already pointed out, these bacteria are ubiquitous. They are everywhere! Sort of like the Marine Corps: On land, on sea and in the air!

You don't have to do anything to get nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in your tank. If you have an energy source (nitrogen), then you will have the bacteria to take advantage of this energy source whether you like it or not. It just happens all by itself. We really don't have to do anything at all.

[Reefland]

Correct. I was thinking also along the lines of other marine life that we come to expect in a mature system.

[Ninong]

So, after months, i think i am certain my bio filtration (nitrifying bacteria) have been killed off.

Not unless you added a powerful bactericide to the system.

are there bacterial "packages" out there I can just add to the tank?

Sure there are. You can find all sorts of stuff out there to add to your tank. Some companies make a lot of money selling snow to the eskimos (gullible hobbyists). I could give you all sorts of outlandish suggestions on how you could boost your bacterial populations in a hurry but I'm afraid some goofy teenager might take me seriously and get caught carrying out one of my hilarious suggestions.

You don't have to do anything. As long as there is nitrogen in the tank, there will be nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria to take advantage of it.

my sandbed looks dead too, perhaps i also need a kit to liven it up a little?

How deep is your sand bed? What is its composition (particle size distribution)? How long has it been set up? Did you add any of the so-called detritivore kits to it soon after setting it up? Did you seed it with any live sand?

What we're talking about here is not the nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, which will set up housekeeping in your sand bed all on their own, we're talking about sand bed infauna to keep the sand bed particles in motion (aka bioturbation).

[knutcracker]

Thanks for all your inputs!

about 10 months ago, my tank developed an algae problem that still persists today.

At first, i did agressive WC's. 10 gallon in the 26g tank and repeat another 10 g 3 days later. When I moved the tank 5 months ago, i threw away the crushed coral bed (because i couldn't stand the algae cover on it eventhough it was quite alive) and replaced it with a fine sand bed.

Of course, the algae problem continued. at the recommendation of LFS, I dosed Ultra Life's Red Slime Remover, and unfortunately, might have over-dosed. (i know, i know)

so basically, I believed that the series of actions I took against the algae problem have effectively killed off the bio filter.

[Ninong]

...at the recommendation of LFS, I dosed Ultra Life's Red Slime Remover, and unfortunately, might have over-dosed. (i know, i know)

Did they tell you what's in it? Does anyone really know what's in it? I don't believe they list any ingredients at all, do they?

I have read reports on wetwebmedia.com of hobbyists having all their fish die after using this product. Probably they overdosed.

The manufacturer insists that it is "reef-safe" if used as directed. I don't know what the active ingredients are and I don't believe the manufacturer has ever identified the active ingredient(s). Some people assume it's erythromycin but I read one guy who said it's cayenne pepper extract ( capsaicin). If it is capsaicin, you should be able to identify it by tasting a drop. I really don't know what it is. I have a habit of not even considering adding something to my tank if I have no idea what it is. You can't really trust the manufacturers to be honest in their marketing. Many of them are definitely NOT!

I believed that the series of actions I took against the algae problem have effectively killed off the bio filter.

Even if you did do something to "kill off" the bio filter, the effects would be temporary. Assuming the UltraLife Red Slime Remover actually harmed your beneficial bacteria, the Red Slime Remover would have dissipated over time and the bacteria would have re-colonized your system in short order. I'm not saying the bacteria died off in the first place, I'm just saying that the effects would have been temporary IF that was the source of the problem.

[Minh Nguyen]

If you think that you added something the permanently damage you sand and rock, I would start over and use new sand and rock. Wash the tank well.

[edmondspl]

They are everywhere! Sort of like the Marine Corps: On land, on sea and in the air!


HEY NINONG I LIKE THE MARINE CORPS QUOTE! WE REALY ARE EVERYWHERE HAHAHAHA

[knutcracker]

it has been one full year and i am still battling what i believe to be the death of my bio filtration.

i am still dealing with daily growth of red/brown filmy algae. and gradual decline of coralline growth on the rocks. basically, everything looks dead except for the films of algae on the sand bed and on rocks placed higher up closer to the light.

are the bacteria really going to return? or should i just start over? or should i try adding new LR or live sand?

[leebca]

Please provide the test results for:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphate
Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium
pH
Temperature
Specific Gravity

How old is the live rock that is currently in the tank? What do you use to replace evaporated water? What is your source water?

With the above information, we can perhaps provide some suggestions.

[weez1959]

Just curious, but are there any fish in this tank?

[knutcracker]

test results are all within normal limits with the exception of temperature which is on the high side.

the LR is over 10 years old, it was originally in another tank but was used to startup my tank 4 years ago.

yes, i have always had fish in the tank. there is a tomato clown and a cleaner shrimp in there right now.

[leebca]

Then I'd suggest starting over with new Live Rock. If you want a FOWLR aquarium, go through this post to refresh your memory and thoughts on it:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Can you sell or find another home for the fishes until the tank is ready for fish (about 6 months)?

If your ammonia and nitrite levels are 'normal' which should be 0 (zero) then the bacteria are there and alive.