Adding bacteria to the aquarium once a month is a general rule, although the frequency depends on the water status, fish quantity, and other such conditions. If the size of the water tank seems to be small, it is necessary to extend the frequency of adding bacteria.
Being a novice in the field of petting aquarium fish, you may search for more queries regarding the ideal types of bacteria and other common factors. Well, let me get your back by disclosing why you should add bacteria, including when and when you should not!
Why Should You Add Bacteria to Aquarium?
In terms of maintaining the ecosystem, beneficial bacteria really come in handy. So, having a certain amount of such living organisms is not a bad idea!
But apart from that, I have found a few valid reasons why adding bacteria to an aquarium is a “big plus!” These are as follows:
Enzyme Production
In simple terms, bacteria are prone to generate essential enzymes, which are liable to cast harmful algae away.
And thus, it can hold the cleanliness of the tank’s water. Moreover, bacteria aid in controlling the pH level and digesting waste.
Organic Matter Break-down
In the aquarium’s water, beneficial bacteria can break the organic substances down to decrease the level of pollution.
Consequently, the aquarium becomes more suitable for the fish to stay healthy and active!
Eliminates Toxic Bacteria
Yes, helpful bacteria are responsible for keeping bad bacteria at bay from the aquarium! As a result, the fish will remain disease-free over the period.
Along with eliminating harmful bacteria, this can also release phosphorus, nitrogen, and healthy nutrients.
For these, the aquatic creatures of your aquarium get the ability to survive in the best way possible.
How Often to Add Bacteria to Aquarium?
As a rule of thumb, you can incorporate bacteria supplements once per month in your aquarium.
It is necessary to increase the frequency when the tank size is relatively small (e.g. less than 20 gallons). I have also seen other fish enthusiasts suggested to add bacteria 2x per week.
The reason behind their dissimilar views is only because of the condition. Like, depending on the number of fish you have kept in your aquarium, the frequency of adding bacteria will be varied.
Including that, it also depends on the type, health condition of the fish, and status of the water.
But no matter what, adding beneficial bacteria is applicable once you successfully establish the aquarium’s initial cycle!
Helpful Bacteria You Can Add to Aquarium
Beneficial bacteria are responsible for balancing the water condition and keeping the aquarium clean, only if you choose the right one. This means selecting the wrong ones can cause negative results!
Getting panic attacks? No worries, as I will walk you through the 2 most helpful types of bacteria that you can incorporate:
Photosynthetic
As the name suggests, this bacteria can photosynthesize under low light and minimal oxygen. Photosynthetic debases fish feces, uneaten food, and organic matter in the aquarium. To maintain the stability of the overall water quality, it soaks up the nitrite and ammonia.
Nitrobacteria
Being an aerobic type of bacteria, nitrobacteria need plenty of oxygen, but it does not make a good deal with intensive light. Nitrite and Nitrosomonas are the 2 different types. In your aquarium, it tends to rot the harmful matter, including nitrite and ammonia.
When Should You Add Bacteria to Aquarium?
Beneficial bacteria are not something that you should add to every situation in your aquarium. Rather, specific conditions are fully responsible for the necessity of adding bacteria. To find out, let’s go through these:
While Adding New Fish
I found it the key reason behind adding bacteria to a certain amount! After incorporating new mates, it is common for the aquarium to get loaded with more waste.
So the previous level of microorganisms will not be sufficient to deal with complications, and that is when you should add essential bacteria.
During the Ammonia Rise
Have you recently added some pairs of fish to your aquarium? If so, it is common for the ammonia to get raised. Other reasons include rotten plants and dead fish.
In those situations, simply get into adding the required amounts of bacteria or microorganisms so that toxic ammonia cannot raise.
While Medicating Fish
During the medication, fish need plenty of antibiotics to get fully recover. But guess what?
Antibiotics not only aid in healing, but they will also eliminate essential bacteria. So, consider filling up the aquarium by incorporating more microbes.
During Water Change
It is common for the water to lose its previous pH values and bacteria levels, even if you do not change the whole water of the tank.
So it makes sense that the aquarium will be in need of some extra bacteria to hold the condition as before.
When Should You Not Add Bacteria to Aquarium?
There is no need to add bacteria to your aquarium when it has accomplished the cycle of nitrogen.
In that situation, you can find the tank free from nitrite or ammonia, which means the aquarium has already developed plenty of microbes!
In order to get a basic explanation, watch the given view on the aquarium nitrogen cycle:
How Long Does the Beneficial Bacteria Take to Grow in Aquarium?
If you pick up the quickest cultivated bacteria, you can expect them to grow within 4 weeks in the aquarium. But based on my research, the majority of beneficial bacteria require a total of 6 weeks to grow completely.
And surprisingly, users of instant cycling can enjoy their growth within 1 day, which seems to be the fastest growth so far! Note that a colder environment does not allow the bacteria to grow in no time!
Conclusion
Apart from the frequency of adding bacteria to aquariums, you must be well aware of the amount.
And that should be a single tablespoon for every 10-gallon tank.However, the quantity depends on the type of filter, aquarium size, and so on!
I have seen many people neglect the necessity of adding bacteria during fish medication. But experts prefer incorporating a decent amount of microbes at that time to maintain a proper ratio.