General Care Discussion :: Beneficial bacteria?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I recently saw something about beneficial bacteria and i was wondering how does that build up in your tank? I have seen filters that do that for you but i don't have one of those. So will there still be some in my tank? Also how do you know if your tank as beneficial bacteria or bacteria that bad for your turtle?

[sull324]

They build up naturally as they come from the animal poo.

Generally they will grow on anything,but the best is to have an media that can hold a lot of bacteria. The media is inserted inside the filter and from there it take 4-6weeks to develop.

If you want to know if the bacteria are there you need an ammonia test, if any ammonia show you either have no bacteria or not enough to do the job. I would suggest reading this http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm .

[mike hill]

There is a good explination by Jody Karlin at World Chelonian Trust. It is short simple.

[steve]

That would be this link: http://www.chelonia.org/articles/biologicalfiltrat.htm