| Good Morning!
I always try and see the other guys point of view before commenting---
The rationalization ( and it is a rationalization) would have to be that by adding MORE bacteria to a growing, but immature biofilm, you are accelerating the process with addition of the numbers of cells. It sounds local at first blush and the bacteria cells from the bottle may very well be alive, so that is not the point. But if they are heterotrophic species being added ( which they typically are) they are there to 'clean up' while the slower establishing autotrophic nitrification species are still building numbers and the associated matrix ( the matrix itself is a valuable tool in attracting ammonia molecules). So this might be viewed as 'helpful' by the manufacturer in practical terms. But on a grander scale, this is not helpful and can actually retard the cycling process as these intermediate foreign source species actually compete and slow the nitrification process.
This is because the heterotrophic species is a mobile cells that goes TO the ammonia as opposed to the sessile ( attached to substrate) which capture their ammonia nutrient throw a series of aids ( such as current, settlement, centrifugal boundary action and finally, by electromagnetic forces and active diffusion).
In addition, the nitrifiers must work harder in their 'digestion' of 'food' and get less energy that the other species of bacteria for their effort. This results in slower growth and therefore slower reproduction. As a result, you see one nitrifier becoming 16 daughter cells but the free swimming heterotrophic cell becomes 24000 individual cells every 24 hours ( assuming there is that much ammonia). In fact, when really 'cooking' these species can actually been seen with the naked eye as cloudy water due to their incredibilty huge nembers. Nitrifier bacteria that are actually potentially larger than heterotrophic cells, can only be 'seen' as a biofilm matrix ( the polymer housing the bacteria create that looks like stained brown and often that is the resident hitchhikers we see ontop of the biofilm) .
Remember however, the nitrifiers are ultimately using MORE ammonia per individual for each of their generations.
To bring this all home, adding bottled bacteria might be helpful if the system is dangerous to new fish residents. But the owner should know that this practice is extending the new pond syndrome period and 'holding off' the creation of a biofilm microbe community that will eventually run the pond and fit that pond's conditions like a hand in a well fitting glove. - JR
JR |