Nitrogen Cycle Question -- Moving to Bigger Tank with Matrix

[Jonathan3]

I have a question about the Nitrogen Cycle and the possible complications in moving from a smaller tank to a much larger tank.

Currently, I have a 29 gallon tank with a Marineland C-360 Canister with around 3.5 liters of Matrix Biological filtration media. If I move the 3.5 Liters of Matrix into the sump pump filtration for the new bigger tank and add more water, will my tank have to recycle again. Is it ok to put my fishes that I had in my 29 gallon into the bigger tank without having to worry about the nitrogen cycle restarting?

Just curious, does beneficial bacteria grow in the Matrix then spread into the water in the aquarium?

Does the colonies in the Matrix reproduce due to the increase in the water volume or bioload?

[Tech Support JS]

Jonathan3,

Thanks for the post! Each liter of Matrix sufficiently treats up to 100 gallons of water, so 3.5 liters will treat up to 350 gallons. This does not mean that you currently have sufficient bacteria to treat 350, only that it has that potential. Bacteria proliferate mainly on the basis of food availability and will limit themselves by that. Since you have a bioload in a 29 gal, when you move it to the bigger tank, the bacteria will grow up to the amount in which your new bioload will allow it (I'm assuming you will be increasing the number of fish/plants/corals/etc).

Without all of that explanation and to more directly answer your question: when you switch over your Matrix, you will lose some bacteria just by the simple fact that you disturbed them. I would suggest dosing with Stability (http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Stability.html) to ensure that you have an adequate biofilter.

As for your other questions:
the bacteria will prefer to stay attached to the surface of Matrix and will not spread to the water unless there is an overgrowth (bacterial bloom)
The bacteria will grow based on the amount of food, therefore the amount of bioload producing that food (ammonia).

Thanks again for your question and have a great day!

[Jonathan3]

Hey Tech Support JS,

Thank you for the reply. I was able to confirm with you that the beneficial bacteria colonies are actually on/in the Matrix. It was very helpful to realize what caused bacteria bloom too.

[Tech Support JS]

I'm glad I could help :)