Lithotrophs

[Bob5920]

I believe you mentioned in the chat group that are main focus would be with Lithotrophs. I have a couple points that I need clarified.

In a typical marine tank, are there more then just the nitrifying bacteria?

Are there both the aerobes & anaerobes present?

Are the aerobes the type that form the upper layer that reduces the O2 present deeper in the sand bed?

 

[java1]

Generally speaking, only the upper centimeter or so of sandbed is aerobic.

However, don't forget about the concept of microenvironments. One can easily see against the glass small tunnels made by various worms and pods deep into the sandbed. water filling these tunnels is lilkely to be more oxygentated than the surrounding substrate that is deeper than a centimeter.

so, quick answers:

1) yes

2) yes

3) those aerobes will only be present deeper in the sandbed in O2 enriched microenvironments as I described.

 

[walla2butterfly]

<those aerobes will only be present deeper in the sandbed in O2 enriched microenvironments as I described.>

Sorry I didnt quite understand that answer. I believe that the microenvironment is the things tunneling in the sand , etc. So I quess where I am confussed is on the "those aerobes will only be present deeper" So who are "those aerobes"