Tried look at the bacteria in Microscope

[Cliffs]

Took some drops from the cycleling tanks and tried to see what was there.
Drops from the tanks water its clear and empty of anything even though there are little white guys flotting around when you just look at the tank. From the filters there are little clusters of something that show up under the scope. I wish I could post some pictures. I bet you guys are going to say that the bateria is too small to see and your probibly right.

[xoolooxunny]

depends how powerful your scope is. I looked at all types of bacteria/diatoms in my environmental science class from scrapings off a rock at the state park right behind the college. Not too much free floats in the water column, they like to be attached to something, or eating on what sinks/gets caught in the filter.

[hungryhound]

depends how powerful your scope is. I looked at all types of bacteria/diatoms in my environmental science class from scrapings off a rock at the state park right behind the college. Not too much free floats in the water column, they like to be attached to something, or eating on what sinks/gets caught in the filter.

Does anyone have an electron microscope that we can high jack for a couple of hours. I am sure that we could get to the bottom of this in no time.

[Chrona]

I would imagine it would be very difficult to spot nitrifying bacteria even with the proper equipment, as there are so many other types of bacteria and organisms present in an aquarium.

Hungryhound - Sure, you can borrow mine. Lemme just pull it out of my back pocket :P

[hungryhound]

Hungryhound - Sure, you can borrow mine. Lemme just pull it out of my back pocket :P

Okay but how much will shipping be. :)

[Lady Hobbs]

I've always thought it would be interesting to look at a charcoal pad that's been in the tank for months and only had a few rinsings. I bet that baby is crawling.....and not with just good stuff.

[xoolooxunny]

I would imagine it would be very difficult to spot nitrifying bacteria even with the proper equipment, as there are so many other types of bacteria and organisms present in an aquarium.

Hungryhound - Sure, you can borrow mine. Lemme just pull it out of my back pocket :P

It was a pain in the butt indentifying different organisms! We had pages and pages of pictures and descriptions, when I found one, I would look it up, and when i went back to compare...gone. shucks!
which reminds me...the one thread where this product claimed to have a "biofilm" and we were reluctant to believe the claims (i think it was ocean sand)...biofilm is a real technology that they use in wastewater treatment. take a piece of gravel out of your tank...there, you have a simple biofilm product!