Drop Checkers and Biofilm

[The Rockster]

Hi,
Is it a common issue to have biofilm buildup in a drop checker, within a week after placement? I have read a thread by Vaugh that it was, yet never heard any other discussions pertaining to this.

Also was reading about complex, organic metabolic compounds, and how its not possible to break them down in a planted tank, due to the inability to grow the correct nullifying bacteria in the aquarium. Among the listed compounds was fish hormones.

Does this include the Discus Limited Growth Hormone, that is excreted by the dominant and largest fishs?

 

[shoggoth43]

Have they actually found this DLGH? I would think it more likely that the biggest one just beats the others to the food and the overall amount of waste in the water then causes developmental deficiencies in the others. i.e. too much waste equals stunting? More water changes would help with that, but I suspect the "I'm bigger than you so you should go cower in the corner away from the food" may play a bigger role. I know in some of my smaller tanks the discus in there definitely defer to the aggressive one and will head off from the food if he even looks like he's headed their way. It's usually the biggest one but not always. There's definitely a nutrional intake explanation for their size differences.

As far as biofilm goes, I'm skimming it daily or nearly so. But I probably overfeed on a ridiculous level so the daily skim of a few minutes and a water change periodically seem to do the trick, but it builds up FAST. I find it also makes me pay attention to the tank so I can see stuff happening before it goes to far. Otherwise it's too easy to just let the tank coast. We'll see how well I do in this regard when I get an overflow skimmer installed later on.

-
S

 

[The Rockster]

Accurate d/c between weekly water changes

Have they actually found this DLGH?


I was told that it exists, by the man, who I think originally offered the theory, and always excepted it. I have asked in the past if there is a way of eliminating this hormone, and there answer was not yet.
Personally, having kept Discus for decades, I really can't say for sure.

Thanks to Vaugh's advice we run air at night, and have surface current during the day, so we don't see any biofilm or surface scum.

We think its rather odd that after searching for threads about biofilm, or organics in aquariums, that they are rare. Perhaps this situation pertains to large bio loads only (Keeping large Discus). There isn't much pertaining to this issue on the Discus sites or MonsterFish.com

Weekly water changes, and aquatic pruning, over filtration, running air every night, and 2 day a week usage of a UV Sterilizer we think should of held the biofilm in check.
Biofilm probably was a factor in our Discus Fish Kill by Co2. It seems to collect in the mouth of the d/c after 4 days in the tank. The d/c never changed off green, most likely because the gas/air exchange was corrupted by the film. I do clear the film out of the d/c using my pinkie when I see the buildup.

So we are going to try Purigen by Seachem. The company claims that many consider Purigen a protein skimmer in a bag. Testimonies claim that clarity of water, and fish spawning are among many of the advantages of using Purigen.(Nether benefits we are seeking) Some detractors claim there is no difference, and is a waste of money.
Anyone have any experience with Purigen or dealing with organics?

Apparently some Discus keepers use it, to keep bio build up in check between weekly water changes. However, what we have read, aquariums can't break down organics, because they can't grow the nullifying bacteria required to do it.

I would of responded earlier to this post, but either the email notifier option, is not working or experiencing lag time. We have noticed at times, in the past, this site acts sluggishly, building pages. Such is Life.