Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been considering a major overhaul of my large planted aquarium, thinking of stripping it down and keeping discus with driftwood and stones from the existing setup, which has been established for over 3 years. I'd like to transfer these well-established stones and driftwood to a bare bottom aquarium. My question is, do beneficial bacteria only colonize the exposed parts of the stones, or do they also grow on the areas of the stones that are submerged under the substrate?

Beneficial bacteria grows on all surfaces in the fish tank - under the substrate and above it. The filter's where most of your beneficial bacteria is, so just running that will keep your tank fine. I've done what you're planning, and I even put my plants in pots, it works out great.

Re: Beneficial bacteria on stones,driftwood

Thanks for the info, I figured most of the beneficial bacteria would be in the filter, that's reassuring. Adding plants in pots is a great idea, I'll definitely consider that. By the way, your tank looks amazing - those rummy nose tetras are stunning. What's the name of that fish that resembles an emperor tetra with a bold horizontal stripe? Your plant selection is really nice too, the vallisneria, Java ferns, and anubias create a simple yet beautiful landscape, perfect for the discus to swim around.

Re: Beneficial bacteria on stones,driftwood

Beneficial bacteria essentially colonize all surfaces within the tank, including the walls, driftwood, and even equipment like heaters. In a mature setup, where you've got a combination of sand or gravel, wood, and rockwork, external biofiltration becomes somewhat redundant. Filtration still plays a crucial role, of course, particularly for mechanical and chemical purposes.

Given that many experienced discus keepers prioritize regular water changes, this further diminishes the importance of biofiltration.