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RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:43:36 GMT

LOL...I think it comes with the territory; I haven't met an aquarist yet you wasn't at least a little experimental with animal remains. :P

Anyhow, I am wondering if it would be possible to escallate from the jar idea to a full tank of nothing but cycling bacteria and N-compounds. Theroetically, the only difference between the jar and a tank would be the possibility of a filter unit and increased oxygen content. A litlle 1-5 gallon system would be sufficient for a test, I'd think.

MOA

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

Nikita — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:57:13 GMT

Eh, I'm guilty of hunting down bugs like that for various needs so I can't fault you there. ;)

Well, I have a very strong interest in the biological sciences and ecology. I mount my own specimens when available, using multiple techniques such as dry riker mounting and preservation in various solutions. I am also versed in taxidermy, tanning, and bone preparation for my collections. I work with all varieties of animals, but only by-products - I don't kill for collecting purposes. That's wrong, in my book. :(

So compared to some of the things you have to be willing to do to get, say, a mounted woodchuck skeleton from scratch? Man, Can o' Germs seems pleasant.

...I hope that wasn't a case of really gross TMI. Back to the thread would be best, I think!

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:21:07 GMT

Guilty as charged :blush:. However, some herp shops sell canned crickets and/or grasshoppers--this makes the process a bit easier.

BTW, do I want to even ask what your other hobbies are? ;)

MOA

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

Nikita — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:13:40 GMT

Just curious, did you actually wander around outside finding grasshoppers to put in this witch's brew? :) I had this weird mental image of a scientist meticulously weighing a stack of dead grasshoppers...

I agree that maybe it's not for the beginner in terms of either know-how to set it up or willingness to maintain jars of controlled biogical rot for the sake of their tanks. But with a basic knowledge of biochemistry, I bet you could get some sweet results out of this stuff.

I could handle maintaining it; it's tame compared to some hobbies I engage in...but I have a funny little feeling that it would be frowned on by the staff of my dorm. ;) I like the idea of DIY biology like Can o' Germs though. It's a winner in my book.

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:47:59 GMT

Hmm, anyone else have DIY bacterial starters?

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:45:39 GMT

Like I said, it wasn't designed for newbies--it was designed for me; it works well with my particular cycling style and suites my tastes. What you choose to do your own aquariums is entirely up to you. (I just happen to like a lot of DIY processes.) Also, these kinds of things add the personal touch to the aquarium, makes it your own (IMO).

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

David Lass — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:42:32 GMT

I dunno -- I don't think I could go through MOA's process -- and I know for sure if my wife ever got hold of the jar I would really get yelled at.

I strongly encourage folks to use the new, liquid, bacteria starters that are on the market, especially the ones by the big name manufacturers. They really do work, and IMHO it is money well spent.

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:06:24 GMT

I don't know if this is best for beginners...I just developed it because it was cheap and worked. And yeah, it stinks like crazy if you leave the jar open too long.

RE: MOA's Can O' Germs

FattFishy — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:59:00 GMT

This is pretty helpful. Whenever I see new fishkeepers thinking of going into the hobby, I will absolutely recommend this. Although it does sound disgusting.

MOA's Can O' Germs

math-only aquarium — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:45:19 GMT

MOA's Can O' Germs

Directions:

Obtain clean, dry quart-sized jar with resealable lid.
Obtain roughly 7 ounces (volume) of chemical-free grass clippings and place in quart jar.
Obtain about 3 ounces (volume) of chemical-free bark chunks and place in quart jar.
Obtain about 1/2 ounce of chemical-free dead grasshoppers or 1/4 ounce of commercal shrimp pellets for freshwater fish and place in quart jar.
Obtain 1/2 ounce of chemical-free soil and place in the quart jar.
Fill remaining volume of quart jar with hot water (100-135 degrees F).
Seal the jar and let is set in a warm (70-85 degrees F) environment for about two to five weeks. (Solution is ready when it turns a dark, soupy brown.)
After the two to five weeks, strain the large particulate matter from the solution. However, be careful that the solution contains plenty of floating debris 1/4 of an inch in diameter or less.
Return the solution to the quart jar and return it to warm environment for storage.
Every two weeks, leave the lid open for four hours (don't leave it open in your house or your house will stink) and exchange two tablespoons of water off the top (don't stir the solution or anything like that, just remove the water and replace it with tap water).
Do not keep longer than 18 months.

Now you have the Type 1 bacterial starter. This solution will contain small populations of beneficial bacteria and will have a fairly large portion of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. This solution will not contain the density of beneficial bacteria that many commercial products will have, but it is actually better than some of the commercial bacteria starters in that it contains the bacteria and their food source. This will help reduce the time required to cycle the aquarium and can be added until the tank starts to produce nitrates on its own.

DOSAGE: (After shaking contents vigorously) One tablespoon per five gallons for initial dose; one tablespoon per 15 gallons per week for the remainder of cycling.