biological filtration in black water setups

[kingborris]

Hi all,

Just a general query as to the effect of KH depleted, highly acidic conditions on biological filtration within the aquaria. I know many people keep their apistos in such conditions to help spawning, but from my understanding, the nitrifying bacteria begin to die off at pHs under about 5.5. also, bacteria require a certain ammount of carbonates to be present to respire.

how is this managed in balckwater aquaria? do breeders of blackwater fish simply use water changes to reduce the need for bio filtration, or do you guys keep your tanks at a pH / KH where this isnt an issue?

Interested to here your thoughts on this.

TIA

 

[Mike Wise]

The bacteria in the biological filtration of blackwater has not been studied that I know about. Much of our information is based on studies of water treatment plants, which was carried over to aquarium use. These treatment plants normally don't treat highly acidic waters. I assume that different bacteria do the same function in different water conditions.

 

[kingborris]

ok, but how do people actually manage it on a practicle basis? do the aquarium filters process ammonia and nitrites in the same manner as in a regular, pH neutral aquarium?

I dont keep particlularly soft or acid tanks myself (KH4, pH 6.8, TDS 150ppm) so i was just wondering how it works in practice?

 

[fishgeek]

i'm with mike on the theory that documented biobactera species are not the whole story

i have tanks at 4.5 pH that still filter well, or at least no ammonia etc detectable and fish healthy to my eye

bacteria evolved to fit many niche's and i think that low carbonate and acidity are not exclusive to bacterial actions

andrew

 

[kingborris]

i guess the main thing is to mature the tank at the low pH, so that those strains of bacteria that are cultivated are adaptable to the acid conditions. Ive heard nightmare stories of bacterial filters keeling over due to rapid drops in pH as the KH gets eaten up to zero.

 

[AquaAlbatros]

Bacteria don't die. It just slowdown, that's why peat it's formed, organic matter just accumulates without decomposition.
Best regards,
Juan.-

 

[fishgeek]

i thought peat formed in waterlogged anaerobic soils at low temperature under compression because those parameters inhibited the bacterial decomposition

is peat found in warm(tropical climates)