This is what I've dreamed of for so long! Testing for microbes in our tanks!

[Flippers4pups]

Finally someone has done it. To be able to test for microbes strains in our tanks!

This could be very helpful!

The core microbiome of a saltwater aquarium

Microbiome testing for aquariums and aquaculture

aquabiomics.com

 

[ReefLab]

Looks like they study the 16S sequence using PCR. Interesting indeed.
Ive wondered why nobody has sold more viable/potent cultures of bacteria in tubes with broth, shipped and handled similar to other livestock in the hobby.

 

[stacksoner]

Politely, can you give a brief summary of the service theyre providing so we don't have to read through their entire website?

 

[WVNed]

How it works

Order our service and we’ll ship you a sampling kit

Sample your aquarium and ship the sample to us

We’ll analyze your tank’s microbiome and provide a detailed report


Snapshot
($99.99 / sample)


Analyze a single sample for a snapshot of your tank’s microbiome.

• Identify the microbes in your tank and measure their relative abundance
• Compare your tank’s microbiome with other tanks’
• Develop custom strategies for adjusting your tank’s microbiome

 

[ReefLab]

Politely, can you give a brief summary of the service theyre providing so we don't have to read through their entire website?

seems similar to an ICP test.
They send you a sample kit - follow directions to sample your water & send it back - they send you results of microbe species and relative concentrations in your tank

 

[tripdad]

Is there a source for "corrective" microbes? Do we have a set of desired microbes established yet or is that what we are about to do? Sounds interesting, all knowledge gained can be an advancement.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Looks promising

 

[Flippers4pups]

Is there a source for "corrective" biomes? Do we have a set of desired biomes established yet or is that what we are about to do? Sounds interesting, all knowledge gained can be an advancement.

Understanding what microbes are in a healthy system, one that's thriving and growing as a baseline, may give some light on what's needed to be successful for all of us.

 

[mfollen]

This is awesome. Following for probably a while lol

 

[tripdad]

Understanding what microbes are in a healthy system, one that's thriving and growing as a baseline, may she'd some light on what's needed to be successful for all of us.

So then we are about to embark on the journey to a better understanding if I'm understanding correctly. Very cool, following along.

 

[TheHarold]

Understanding what microbes are in a healthy system, one that's thriving and growing as a baseline, may she'd some light on what's needed to be successful for all of us.

So I think this is awesome, as it also may show us what’s not needed.

Of course as an informed skeptic, I can also this developing into selling tons of cultures marketed as “needed” to successful.

They mentioned that they have noticed a Sixfold difference in microbe variation between tanks.....but did not mention if the one with less microbe variation was somehow suffering, or less succesful (I understand that’s subjective) than the other tanks.

Tons more data to consider before anyone can come to a conclusion. But, this is data, which is excellent in itself.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I participated in his early rounds of testing, as he's a member of my local aquarium club. Very nice guy, and I don't think he's into offering any "snake oil" remedies, and he's definitely scientific in his approach on testing and comparing tanks. Here are some snippets from the report on my tank, just to give you an idea of what to expect:

 

[Flippers4pups]

I participated in his early rounds of testing, as he's a member of my local aquarium club. Very nice guy, and I don't think he's into offering any "snake oil" remedies, and he's definitely scientific in his approach on testing and comparing tanks. Here are some snippets from the report on my tank, just to give you an idea of what to expect:

Oh that's is freaking awesome! Wow what detail! Now we need direction on what and how to adjust all of this.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the new frontier!

 

[GMay]

While this is clearly a first step in helping to understand the microbiome of our tanks, I am not sure how helpful this analysis will really be. My first issue is with the fact that the analysis is only for planktonic organisms and is limited to only bacterial species. Having said this, I will be following this thread.

Just to be up front on this, I am a retired research (Ph.D.) biologist whose expertise is in microbiology of fungi.

 

[Flippers4pups]

While this is clearly a first step in helping to understand the microbiome of our tanks, I am not sure how helpful this analysis will really be. My first issue is with the fact that the analysis is only for planktonic organisms and is limited to only bacterial species. Having said this, I will be following this thread.

Just to be up front on this, I am a retired research (Ph.D.) biologist whose expertise is in microbiology of fungi.

I'm extremely interested in the approach on how to correct or adjust what is shown in these tests!

Especially coral pathogens!

 

[brandon429]

is this water column only sample, or were surfaces removed and then inoculated off the surface outside the tank into a sample? Pelagic vs benthic bacteria, massive qual/quantitative difference curious of what kind of samples are being used to derive microbial loading and zero fish pathogens not a single cell

 

[Flippers4pups]

is this water column only sample, or were surfaces removed and then inoculated off the surface outside the tank into a sample? Pelagic vs benthic bacteria, massive qual/quantitative difference curious of what kind of samples are being used to derive microbial loading

I believe it's only from the water collum. Samples taken from rock or even corals would, I would think, be different.

 

[GMay]

Yes it is only water column testing and is what I think may bias the analysis.

 

[Flippers4pups]

So think of it this way, take a piece of coral that is RTNing and frag away the dieing tissue. Take that tissue and swish it in some water. Send that for analysis and get the results back now knowing what strains are in play.

The next step is still not fully known, treat the coral or tank possibly with a certain antibiotic to combat the pathogen.

 

[hotdrop]

The bacteria data isn’t very useful but the pathogen bit is great you will know exactly what sits dormant in your tank and can treat preemptively