The Use of Probiotics in Aquaculture

[RD.]

Thank you RD!

I start dosing my tank with septobac late last year. I believe in the positive probiotic effect and was intrigued with what it might mean for my canisters. I run 2 FX 5's and an Ehiem 2217 on a very heavily overstocked 180 each filter is cleaned every 6 months with a one month gap between each ones cycle.

Well today I cracked open one of the FX 5's for its 6 month cleaning. Typically the foam pads are quite heavy with sludge.

The picture below says it all!!

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@Burbotman - if you are still active here, just wondering if you are still using one of these septic cleaning products in your tanks? The pics in your post above were a pretty good testament as to how well these products can work.

 

[scottts210]

Almost 11 yrs & 105K views into this experiment, and I have to say that I believe I have got this dialed in right where I want it to be. I just cleaned my filter media in my midas tank, at 6+ months. Dirty for sure, but not so much that with the naked eye I could see any reduction in filter flow. I suspect that many tanks have dirtier media at 6 weeks. lol

Between the Bio-Clean bacteria, and my current intermittent fasting feeding schedule, I can easily go 6-7 months between cleanings in my midas tank. My feed reduction over this past year has been drastic, simply to see how much overall waste I could reduce, without creating any noticeable difference in the shape/form/overall health of my fish. These are all mature fish, with my male midas being approx. 14" and almost 12 yrs old now. Most weeks they get fed every 3-4 days, with no food a couple days before water change day, and often no food for a day after. Some weeks, I feed 2-3 days in a row - then back to fasting for a few days. No hard fast rule, just a LOT less food frequency, with the same amount of overall feed, that I used to offer at each feeding. A ballpark guess would be 30-40% less overall feed each week, than in years past. I rarely see solid waste in my tanks, and the midas tank has only algae for substrate. Other than settling under the edge of some rather large granite boulders, if it's there, I could always see it.

I believe that my current feed schedule would more closely mimic what these species would experience in nature, and the sludge bacteria work in the background to keep solid waste to a minimum. Water change schedule in this tank is the same, 80-90% weekly.

Since this has popped back up, can you give your current bio-clean dosage regimen per gallon of water? Thanks.

 

[RD.]

1/4 tsp twice a week in my 125’s

 

[RD.]

Too late to edit, should mention those are heaping measurements, so closer to a total of 1/2 - 3/4 tsp per week. Also keep in mind that that dosage will be bio load dependent. Some may need less, some may need more, depending on number of fish and waste produced.

 

[scottts210]

Too late to edit, should mention those are heaping measurements, so closer to a total of 1/2 - 3/4 tsp per week. Also keep in mind that that dosage will be bio load dependent. Some may need less, some may need more, depending on number of fish and waste produced.

THanks!

 

[cockroach]

Was researching something else and landed on this paper that took me down a 2 hour rabbitfish hole.
Chumpol, S. (2017). discusses the use of photosynthetic bacteria in white shrimp cultivation dropping NH4 etc.
PNSB in White Shrimp Cultivation

Summed up, Supaporn Chumpol's research suggests that PNSB are a valuable addition to shrimp aquaculture, offering multiple benefits that enhance water quality, provide high-quality protein, and promote the overall health and productivity of shrimp, all while supporting sustainable and cost-effective farming practices.

Another study looking inot the benefits and scalability of Single Protein Cells as afood source
Single-Cell Proteins Obtained by Circular Economy Intended as a Feed Ingredient in Aquaculture



This study , Pereira et al. (2022) , concluded SCP's can be used effectively, and economically, as feed in aquaculture with little to no negative affects. as shown below:

 

[Burbotman]

@Burbotman - if you are still active here, just wondering if you are still using one of these septic cleaning products in your tanks? The pics in your post above were a pretty good testament as to how well these products can work.

@Burbotman - if you are still active here, just wondering if you are still using one of these septic cleaning products in your tanks? The pics in your post above were a pretty good testament as to how well these products can work.

Very late response to this, I am not active on this site much these days but still very engaged in the hobby. I am still using Septobac in my tanks. 2021-2022 i stopped using it, resuming in 2023. I run 3 FX6’s on a heavily shocked 255g. With out any doubt the product makes a Huge difference on canister maixtenance and water quality. when I stopped using it (long story) I was servicing the filters every 4 months and they needed it. Now back with the product I could go to every 6 months . Note I do 75% weekly WC as well

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[4D3]

I will also vouch for this, I cannot get the same product the gent above, I use one called septico

Absolutely works amazing.

You can't really overdose but I have a 50l betta tank which is over stocked and I use about a tablespoon a month and I literally do a 50%water change a month and my parameters are perfect and my water is like glass!

 

[4D3]

This is amazing advice!

 

[RD.]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. Glad to see that folks are having success with these products.