Habitat - Indoor :: Air in a turtle tank for bacteria

[Niksan878]

Hello,

My question is do I need to have some sort of aeration of the water in my res turtle tank so that all the "good" bacteria can colonize in my bio media (using a canister filter)?

Is it A MUST or just something that can boost the process?

Thank you!
Niksan.

[Caphits]

Surface agitation is supposedly what allows oxygen into the water. So if you point your output towards the surface of the water, it could help get more oxygen into the system. I don't think it's really that important though, because you don't have fish consuming the oxygen. But it couldn't hurt.

[VeipaCray]

You don't need to do do anything special. The nitrifying bacteria are anaerobic which means they do use dissolved oxygen. Surface agitation is always a good idea if you can do it with your filter. It does help with the oxygen as well as help keep some of the proteins that collect on top of the water stirred in so that your filter can grab them. Unless you're having a specific problem, I wouldn't go out and spend any extra $. Just point your canister filter output up so that it breaks the surface of the water a little. If you have a HOB filter there's nothing you really need to do.

The good bacteria (nitrifying bacteria) will colonize no matter what you do as long as they have surface area (bio media) and food (ammonia - turtle waste).

[Niksan878]

The reason I asked this is because I've just finished building my own canister filter (which turned out to be very cheap)... and I'd like to have it there in my living room without making a constant noise (water falling from a few centimeters into the surface of the water). I want it to be as "stealth" as possible... So that's why I asked this.
Stiring of the water won't be a problem since my turtles like to swim around and splash the water sometimes.

So you think that a water fall/air stone won't be necessary for the good bacteria to populate?

Thank you.

[steve]

The splashing won't be enough to prevent a protein slick on the water surface but the nitrifying bacteria should be OK.

[Niksan878]

Thank you!

[texasreb]

Wait a sec...I'm confused. If the nitrifying bacteria are anaerobic then why are wet/dry filters so popular? Isn't the point of wet/dry systems to expose the colony to oxygen?

[VeipaCray]

Wait a sec...I'm confused. If the nitrifying bacteria are anaerobic then why are wet/dry filters so popular? Isn't the point of wet/dry systems to expose the colony to oxygen?

Yes wet/dry filters were popular in the 80's and early 90's. As the fish hobby matures, we learn more and more. We now know that nitrifying bacteria will colonize on filter media that is fully submersed in a canister. Canisters with bio media are by and large the norm for a large freshwater setup today. Sumps are mainly used in saltwater / reef (as there are many benefits there, but this isn't a reef forum).

[texasreb]

Thanks Veipa! You answer makes sense. I guess I can throw away all of those bio wheels I've been saving for years!

[Mr. Tuck]

I know i'm chiming in late and without any science to back me up, but although airstones are not necessary for the good bacteria, they do have other benefits i.e. preventing from sulfides (egg smell) from building up when your water flow is not adequate. There is an excellent post by PridgNYC in my build thread that discusses this more, how to set it up, and the science behind it.

I've had a similar issue with my wife complaining about the water noise, so I have to keep my output nearly submerged to keep her happy. The airstones compensate for the lack of aeration and are much more quiet and cute.

[VeipaCray]

I keep my filter output submerged, with no air pump or airstone and don't have any issues. PridgeNYC's posts about airstones are spot on correct, but if you have adequate filtration and have it setup properly you shouldn't need to do much else.

Speaking of... Hey PridgeNYC where are you? We haven't seen you on the forum lately....

[Mr. Tuck]

I know, he's vanished!

I'm sure the airstones aren't necessary, just stating that they could have a use. My wife would be happy to hear about keeping the output submerged, but I wonder if I removed my airstones or if I did totally submerge the output that the eggy smell would come back. What are your thoughts VC?

[VeipaCray]

You could always try it... worst case add them back.

[VeipaCray]

Ok PridgNYC... I see you "browsing the forum". Say Hi to us - we thought we lost you.

[PridgNYC]

Still here, been busy lately. BTW, most of the nitrifying bacteria are aerobic, it is only the bacteria in the final stage of the nitrogen cycle that are anaerobic, and those bacteria, most people don't bother trying to cultivate. They are the ones responsible for converting nitrates to sulphates (hence the hydrogen sulphide gas which is poisonous in high concentrations and stinks), in order to colonize the necessary bacteria that digest the hydrogen sulphide, flow rates must be very low and oxygen content must be near 0. Most people just choose to live with the nitrate build-up.