Aquaforest probiotic method

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Myka

Is it really that bad guys? What kind of stink? I didn't realize there was a sample in the Reef Salt too. The probiotic salt has an NP Pro sample, I'm not sure if that stinks too.

No smell from NP Pro. Its just liquid polymar so shouldn't smell bad (or else I would have been very concerned ).

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Received a bucket of Reef Salt today. Is that smell the Bio S sample? Not sure I want to bring it in the house!

I'll likely transfer the salt to an easier to open container. I'd rather not tear my finger nails off opening this one.

Probiotic bacteria should stinks bad. I remember zeo-bac smell like rotten eggs.

Originally Posted by JDH

Can this method be used in a skimmerless system?

Minus the zeolite stones of course. I've never looked into probiotics in a reef before, sorry if this sounds noobish.

Unlike the natural nitrifying bacteria (which converts nitrate to N2 gas which escapes from the gas in form of bubbles), probiotic bacteria strains consumes the nitrate (and phosphate too I guess). These bacteria strains needs to be skimmed out (only a small percent is consumed by corals) by a skimmer in order to remove the nutrients from the tank. As a result, all probiotic methods need highly efficient skimmers.

[Jordon]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Unlike the natural nitrifying bacteria (which converts nitrate to N2 gas which escapes from the gas in form of bubbles), probiotic bacteria strains consumes the nitrate (and phosphate too I guess). These bacteria strains needs to be skimmed out (only a small percent is consumed by corals) by a skimmer in order to remove the nutrients from the tank. As a result, all probiotic methods need highly efficient skimmers.

I was kind of thinking that, but thanks for clarifying. Maybe something to try down the road when I have outgrown my current nano.

[spedly]

I didn't know that there was going to be a little vial of stuff to dose with this salt. I didn't take the pails straight into the house and instead left them in the garage for a couple of days. If it froze it thawed out very quickly but I don't know if I had an impact on the contents. Having said that I don't understand the benefit of dosing nitrifying bacteria if my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate parameters are all 0. That would indicate to me that I already have enough.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by spedly

I didn't know that there was going to be a little vial of stuff to dose with this salt. I didn't take the pails straight into the house and instead left them in the garage for a couple of days. If it froze it thawed out very quickly but I don't know if I had an impact on the contents. Having said that I don't understand the benefit of dosing nitrifying bacteria if my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate parameters are all 0. That would indicate to me that I already have enough.

You don't need to dose those freebies. Its just a way of poking the consumer, asking them to use it. Just a marketing scheme

If you levels are all in check and you and the tank inhabitants are happy, using probiotics will just be another unnecessary headache for you to have. Probiotics works, natural filtration works and there are many other methods that works; you just have to choose whichever works best for you and your tank