We Have Nitrifying Bacteria!

Nitrifying Bacteria, any of a small group of aerobic bacteria (family Nitrobacteraceae) that use inorganic chemicals as an energy source. They are microorganisms that are important in the nitrogen cycle as converters of soil ammonia to nitrates, compounds usable by plants.

Species of the genera include:

• Nitrobacter

• Nitrococcus

• Nitrosomonas

• Nitrosococcus

These bacteria get their energy by the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen compounds. Many species of nitrifying bacteria have complex internal membrane systems that are the location for key enzymes in nitrification: ammonia monooxygenase which oxidizes ammonia to hydroxylamine, and nitrite oxidoreductase, which oxidizes nitrite to nitrate.

Benefits of Nitrifying bacteria

1) Accelerate the decomposition of organic material in water, reduce and avoid the sedimentation of organic matter;

2) Degrade ammonia, nitrite in water, play very good buffer role to the high concentration ammonia, assist other microbes to better adapt to the environment, and improve water quality;

3) Improve the nitrification efficiency, and maintain the long-term stability of nitrification in water system;

4) Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote the growth of beneficial algae, and maintain ecological balance of the water body;

5) Protects fish body mucous and increases fish immunity.