Cyanobacteria and nitrates

[florida joe]

There seem to be multiple threads and posts on Cyano as of late I think this is important for the new hobbyist to understand. When they kill the Cyano they may see a spike in their nitrates. Cyanobacteria fix nitrogen (collect dissolved atmospheric nitrogen and store it in their tissues). When killed and decompose this stored nitrogen returns to the water in the form of ammonium, thus while you are adding the same amount of nutrients as always (through feeding) this spike in ammonium due to the die off of the Cyano will ultimately lead to high levels of nitrate accumulation. (Your denitrification will have a hard time handling the added load).

 

[bang guy]

Cyanobacter also sequesters organic Phosphate nearly as fast as it is added to the tank. As a result, lots of Phosphate is released when Cyanobacter decomposes.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2944848
Cyanobacter also sequesters organic Phosphate nearly as fast as it is added to the tank. As a result, lots of Phosphate is released when Cyanobacter decomposes.

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
So Cyanobacteria helps reduce Nitrates and Phosphates?

 

[florida joe]

Yes and no as Bang pointed out Cyano will sequester organic Phosphate. It assimilates atmospheric nitrogen not the nitrates that are the end product of the nitrification that takes place in our tanks

 

[gmann1139]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2944888
Hi there,
So Cyanobacteria helps reduce Nitrates and Phosphates?
Only until it dies. Then it just feeds more cyano.

 

[forcrz6]

Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2945016
Only until it dies. Then it just feeds more cyano.
It is really a a dub edge sword. It eats its self to turn in to more of its self But at the same time you have the neat topics on it that I have found like this 1.
Red Slime Algae, the scourge of saltwater aquariums. Red Slime Algae is actually not a "true algae" at all, but classified as a cyanobacteria. Often considered to be the evolutionary link between bacteria and algae, cyanobacteria are one of the oldest forms of life on earth and date back at least 3.5 billion years. These organisms produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, and scientists believe that if it weren't for this microscopic organism, there would be no blue skies on Earth.
So it is good and bad. Good for the world. Bad for the tank.
I tell you what If I was a cultivator of this I would be RICH.

 

[spanko]

Suck it out with a siphon hose or turkey baster often.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2944944
Yes and no as Bang pointed out Cyano will sequester organic Phosphate. It assimilates atmospheric nitrogen not the nitrates that are the end product of the nitrification that takes place in our tanks
I just wanted to emphasize the impact of this a little more.
Cyano can use atmospheric Nitrogen. There is no difference between this and adding Nitrate directly to your tank. It's the reverse of denitrification. This is why Phosphate is the limiting factor for Cyanobacter, it has an endless Nitrogen supply.

 

[locoyo386]

What forms does the cyanobacteria exists in the home aquarium?
Is it different than Spirulina?
Does cyanobacteria become food for higher life forms?

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2945043
I just wanted to emphasize the impact of this a little more.
Cyano can use atmospheric Nitrogen. There is no difference between this and adding Nitrate directly to your tank. (so your saying that Nitrate is a byproduct from cyanobacteria's ability to use atmospheric Nitrogen?) It's the reverse of denitrification. This is why Phosphate is the limiting factor for Cyanobacter, it has an endless Nitrogen supply.(your saying that if there is no phosphate, there is no cyanoacteria?)

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2945055
What forms does the cyanobacteria exists in the home aquarium?
Is it different than Spirulina?
Does cyanobacteria become food for higher life forms?
Cyano is a very common organism in a saltwater aquarium. It is found throughout the sand and rocks. The trouble happens when it becomes the dominant organism in those areas. It can completely smother all other bacteria and form mats that sand and rock infauna cannot penetrate.
There are quite animals that eat it but it's toxic to most of the animals we keep. Queen Conch and a few other snails can eat it.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2945060
Hi there,
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2945043
I just wanted to emphasize the impact of this a little more.
Cyano can use atmospheric Nitrogen. There is no difference between this and adding Nitrate directly to your tank. (so your saying that Nitrate is a byproduct from cyanobacteria's ability to use atmospheric Nitrogen?) It's the reverse of denitrification. This is why Phosphate is the limiting factor for Cyanobacter, it has an endless Nitrogen supply.(your saying that if there is no phosphate, there is no cyanoacteria?)
The direct result of Cyanobacter fixing Nitrogen is not Nitrate because it is used as fuel. The end product if the Cyanobacter dies will be Nitrate.
If there is no Phosphate then Cyanobacter cannot grow.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2945100
The direct result of Cyanobacter fixing Nitrogen is not Nitrate because it is used as fuel. The end product if the Cyanobacter dies will be Nitrate.
If there is no Phosphate then Cyanobacter cannot grow.
EXATLY

 

[florida joe]

There is no difference between this and adding Nitrate directly to your tank. It's the reverse of denitrification.
But the new hobbyist must be aware that the nitrogen fix will not present itself as nitrates untill the cyano dies. Sorry Bang posted this before I read your post above

 

[locoyo386]

If cyanobacteria is capable of nitrogen fixation, does that imply that they can induce nitrification?
If so, are they part of the bacteria responsible for the nitrogen cycle in the water?
What nitrogen compund results from notrogen fixation from cyanobacteria?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2945174
If cyanobacteria is capable of nitrogen fixation, does that imply that they can induce nitrification?
No.
If so, are they part of the bacteria responsible for the nitrogen cycle in the water?
Not really. Their only possible benefit is that they can photosynthesize to create O2.
What nitrogen compund results from notrogen fixation from cyanobacteria?
Deoxyribonucleic acid

 

[bigarn]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2945204
No.
Not really. Their only possible benefit is that they can photosynthesize to create O2.
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Just as I thought ...

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2945204
No.
Not really. Their only possible benefit is that they can photosynthesize to create O2.
Deoxyribonucleic acid
WOW, cyanobacteria is the entry way to genetics. Awsome! very interesting.

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2945226
WOW, cyanobacteria is the entry way to genetics. Awsome! very interesting.
So if we follow along this trail, and solve this mystery, we might find a cure for cancer too