Are nitrifying bacteria reddish brown?

[TroyMadden]

Are nitrifying bacteria reddish brown? In all my aquariums I have had, I notice a reddish brown coloration on my filter intake/outlet, on my sponge filters, and inside my canister, once they are well established.

 

[Ronniethewitch]

Hey welcome to fishlore!

Good question. I've always assumed the colour came from the fish poop. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will clarify.

Look forward to seeing you around, I see you've plenty of experience.

 

[saltwater60]

If it’s a newer tank it’s likely the start of algae and diatoms. Nothing to worry about. It comes at the start then will go away.

 

[david1978]

It depends on the food. I have one filter sponge that turned orange after feeding tge big chichlids pellets. So its a combination of extra food and fish waist. The bacteria themselves are microscopic.

 

[TroyMadden]

Hey welcome to fishlore!

Good question. I've always assumed the colour came from the fish poop. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will clarify.

Look forward to seeing you around, I see you've plenty of experience.

Well, I had my first aquarium in the 1960's ….got back into it in the 90's with two salt tanks. Then a freshwater planted tank, and now an African Cichlid tank. Always learning though.

If it’s a newer tank it’s likely the start of algae and diatoms. Nothing to worry about. It comes at the start then will go away.

Thanks, I wasn't worried, the fish are thriving, just wondering.

It depends on the food. I have one filter sponge that turned orange after feeding tge big chichlids pellets. So its a combination of extra food and fish waist. The bacteria themselves are microscopic.

Sure, I know you can't see individual bacteria, just wondering if I am seeing a colony of BB.

Found an answer, they are reddish brown . Behavior and Physiology of Nitrifying Bacteria

Biofilm Color

Nitrifying biofilms (on media occasionally drawn from the nitrifying reactor) will tend to have a brown to orange-brown color, which intensifies into a reddish brown as the fraction of nitrifiers increases. Dark brown or blackish colors will denote problems with films that are deficient in oxygen or simply too thick.


I had searched this before but didn't find this...

 

[Ronniethewitch]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[TroyMadden]

Thanks for sharing!

Sure, we are all in this together!

 

[Whitewolf]

Brown algae is the fitst to grow. It will turn green later on. You can't see bacteria per say but ive always used this brown muck as indication the tank is cycled yes. Sure

 

[TroyMadden]

Here's a pic , ya, I know the tank is a pig-pen, but the fish are happy!

My little buddies:

 

[Momgoose56]

If it wipes off easily or you can rinse it off though, it's not nitrifying bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria attaches itself to surfaces with an adhesive substance it produces and is difficult to remove. It also doesn't grow in thick mucky layers. Any soft brown muck collecting in tubing or on filter media is just brown muck lol! I clean my intake tubes with a soft bristled tube brush, and the stuff that doesn't brush off gets to stay.

 

[Ronniethewitch]

Here's a pic , ya, I know the tank is a pig-pen, but the fish are happy! View attachment 634980

My little buddies: View attachment 634981

I LOVE a planted tank!