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Re: White scum(iron bacteria)
On 16 Feb 96 Olga wrote...
> Thanks for the info. Does this mean that I should stop adding fertilizer
> until it disappears? What do you mean by "sufficient"? Does this mean that
> my iron test kit lies when it says 0.05? I understood planted tanks would
> be better at 0.1. Will this "iron bacteria" go away in time no matter what
> the iron level in the water? Sorry for all the questions but I have a mania
> about knowing the "why" of things. :)
The reason why I know about "iron bacteria" is because I have it in my
tank as well. From what I understand they are common occurence in the
new setups but tend to dissapear when the tank is sufficiently cycled
in. Aquarium are not the only place when one sees them. I have come
accross technical water manual describing how to "combat them" (you
don't want them in the water supply). I have read several articles
about this menace but the only book I remember is Nature and Aquarium
(Advanced Aquarium Management) by Berti Gesting. The book is full
of interesting views some quite radical...If I am not mistaken I got
it from AGA(through Karen Randall). But back to you questions.... In
my experience I don't see any bacteria accumulation when I cut back
my iron fertilization. My plants are not complaining either!! The are
able to utilize iron and the much lower concentrations than 0.05. As
far as the accuracy of iron test kits......well there has been a lot said
about them in some previous postings. I have the overflow box on my
tank and all things floating (including iron bacteria) ends up in it.I
clean the foam in it once weekly. If somebody on this list has more
info on them please post it since I am interested to find out more
too.
Franc Gorenc franc at golden_net
Kitchener, Ontario http://www.golden.net/~franc
Canada