The Use of Probiotics in Aquaculture

[Oscar Mike]

Just got back from walmart with a box of rid-x but even with all the positive results here I'm having a hard time actually putting it in with my 5 year old pacu and flowerhorn. I've always wondered why probiotics weren't more readily available but never even considered using a septic treatment lol. I set up a 240 two weeks ago using seeded media and a liquid product called Start Zyme, but had a 5hr power outage on Monday and the next morning there was an outbreak of algae in the center of the tank (even tho I kept it aerated and fed the filters with tank water every few mins, I think its only visible in that section because it has less water movement but Im adding a sump soon). So, I'm hoping the rid-x might starve the algae short-term while keeping my driftwood and white sand substrate cleaner long-term. I'm about to drop in the mesh bag in a min but if anyone can answer these questions i would appreciate it

1. Is rid-x safe to use in conjunction with other beneficial bacteria enzymes (such as Start Zyme or stability)? I'm supposed to add a second dose on Sunday (14 days after the first) but don't want them killing eachother off or making anything spike

2. Are there any potentially negative side effects for the fish long-term (such as life span or metabolism)?

3. Will this have any effect on algae?

4. Will this keep my white sand cleaner looking so I don't have to vacuum it every other day? (Always had dark gravel before so this is a completely new battle for me)

5. Has anyone else tried this on a tank with flowerhorns or pacu?

 

[Miguel]

YES. What i do not believe in is those start zyme and stability, being alreday in liquid form. Have greatest doubts about their shelf life.

2- we are all just scratching yhe surface. So far so good. None of us has had ill effects.

3-no idea. Never have algae

4-guess so. Although you will need to remove the " digested" slime.

5- with lots of cichlids. I got to a point i would not hesitate using it with any fish.

 

[Miguel]

Correct. Anywhere in the tank where organics can accumulate over time will benefit from the use of probiotics.

From probiotics and from the septic tank bacteriae selection.

In my mind, i visualize the probiotics more in the line of being ingested by the fish, and working from their insides. That is why, as opposed to the septic tank stuff i put in sumps, i put the probiotics powder directly in the tanks water column.

 

[RD.]

strollo - purigen is a resin that is designed to remove organics, so it should work in conjunction with Rid-X.

In my mind, i visualize the probiotics more in the line of being ingested by the fish, and working from their insides. That is why, as opposed to the septic tank stuff i put in sumps, i put the probiotics powder directly in the tanks water column. .

Miguel ......... probiotics = septic tank bacteria. Wholesalers/distributors sell the exact same "probiotic" bacteria for aquaculture feed supplements AND septic waste treatment. See the following link: http://www.bio-cat.com/products

According to a number of studies these bacteria can be absorbed by fish via the water column, there is no need for a fish to ingest them. I posted links and have discussed all of this in my original post in this discussion.


With regards to liquid bacteria in a bottle, I'm going to save my fingers some serioius typing - please see post #5 in the following discussion. Diana's comment is mostly spot on, the only thing that I would add is that even the Heterotrophic bacteria found in products such as Rid-X etc can "help" kick start the bio cycle in a tank. Been there, done that.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189909

Shorter shelf life aside, even some of the liquid products do in fact work, and work well, including one that I have personally tested & recommend, Seachem Stability.

 

[Miguel]

Had no indication that septic tank bacteriae mix contained probiotics, namely Bacillus strain ( find no description of the species in the bottle ).

The probiotics i add are in a much finer powder medium and are sold for human consumption.

Anyway, i will stick with the coarser stuff in the sumps and the fine powder in the water column.

 

[petspoiler]

Had no indication that septic tank bacteriae mix contained probiotics, namely Bacillus strain ( find no description of the species in the bottle ).

..........

I had the same questions. RidX does not list bacteria or names of any, and does name their enzymes..BUT the website says all their products are "... scientifically formulated with special bacteria and enzymes "
the company is probably just guarding their bac formula- I doubt it's anything outside of industry the "knowns", but I would also like to know which strains.

Miguel, somewhere in the listed reading material here, stated that "lacto" bacterias which work inside guts are of questionable effectiveness in aquaria.

 

[Miguel]

Also read it. Not prooven as effective, but not otherwise also.

 

[petspoiler]

Also read it. Not prooven as effective, but not otherwise also.

Lol, yep. the points applicable to me being, that everything I find on shelves in my area (so far) are lacto bacs and rather not throw $$ away if I can get proven bacs.
there must be a lot of bacteria in portugal, you listed so many available types.
;-)

 

[Aquanero]

I've read they generally contain two types of bacterial strains, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Here is a quote about septic powder, not my writing "These bacterial strains complement each other to provide all-around treatment performance by generating enzymatically active and targeted degradation. Specifically, these bacteria have exceptional targeted enzyme production of lipase, protease, amylase, cellulase, urease, pectinase, and chitinase, to speed the degradation and digestion of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, cellulose and starches."

 

[petspoiler]

I've read they generally contain two types of bacterial strains, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. ..........."

good info. might not be 'much' benefit to pour in different strains, even aiming to outcompete pathological bacs.
but who knows...