Wrote my last thread in a hurry.
Here it is after proof reading,
After reading the article by James E Alleman, Ph. D from university of Purdue, I learned that there are 8 types of nitrifying bacteria. 5 ammonia oxidizer and 3 nitrite oxidizers. Although these bacteria is capable of free swimming but they do thrive better when attached to the surface. This is because they do not have to expend a lot of energy to swim when attached and thus they can use all their energy for the oxidation process.
Thus they need to attach themselves to a surface in order to multiply their colony and strive.
What does this mean. Volume of water in your aquarium will have absolutely zero effect on the nitrifying bacteria colony.
So then, bacteria colony is directly proportional to the surface area of the substrate (this is the not the same as the surface area of the bottom of the tank), plus surface area of decors, plus surface area of the filters, plus total surface area of the glass and etc.
According to Dr. Alleman, bacteria colony will grow as the amount of ammonia (in our case bio load) increases. But since the total surface area is a constant in our aquarium (unless you add more substrate or decor). there is a limit to the size of the bacteria colony. Once that limit is reached, bacteria colony will not grow since bacteria have no room to attach themselves.
Yet it possible for the aquarium to hold free swimming bacteria, but these bacteria will expend all their energy swimming and would not have enough energy for oxidation process. And thus useless in nitrifying process.
Something to think about.
Rohn
PS: sorry for double post. I thought I clarify my post.
Would be nice to have the EDIT feature on this forum.
