Here's what you gotta know 'bout PSB for your fish:
Key Takeaways:
So, what is this Photosynthetic Bacteria, or PSB, folks talk about? Well, they is super tiny living things. You can't see 'em without a strong looker thingy. They use light, like plants do, to get energy. But the cool part for fish ponds is that many good PSB, like the ones in Pangoo's Aqua Photosynthetic Bacteria, don't make oxygen when they do their light trick. This is good 'cause they don't take oxygen from your fish at night. They actually help clean up the yucky stuff in the water, like fish poop and leftover food.
These PSB, specially types called Rhodobacter and Rhodopseudomonas, they're like little Pac-Men, gobblin' up bad stuff like ammonia. Ammonia can hurt your fish if there's too much. PSB also eat hydrogen sulfide, that rotten egg smell stuff. So, they make the water much nicer for your fish and shrimp to live in. It's a natural way to keep things clean, kinda like having tiny janitors in your pond. Pangoo Group makes a good PSB product to help with this.
Alright, so you wanna use PSB. How much of this Pangoo Aqua Photosynthetic Bacteria stuff do you need? Well, Pangoo gives some good startin' numbers. For a big ol' pond, say 'bout half a hectare, they say use 20 Liters of their liquid PSB. If you got a smaller fish tank, like 100 Liters of water, then just 10 mL is what they reckon. It's kinda like makin' juice, ya gotta get the mix right.
Now, how often? At the start of your fish growin' season, mebbe every 20 days is good. But when your fish are eatin' lots and makin' more waste, you might wanna do it every 10 days. See, more food means more work for the PSB. Always look at the bottle of the specific PSB product you got, 'cause some are stronger than others. They got different amounts of tiny bacteria (CFU/mL they call it).
To get these PSB doin' their best job, the water in your pond's gotta be right. If your water's real dirty with lots of leftover food and fishy waste, them PSB have a lot to eat, but you might need to add a bit more, or more often. And the pH, that's how sour or not sour the water is, that's important. PSB like it 'tween 7 and 8. If it ain't right, a PH Conditioner like Pangoo's can help fix it up.
Temperature matters too, ya know. If it's too cold, below 'bout 15 Celsius, the PSB get sleepy and don't work so good. They like it warmer, 'round 25 to 37 Celsius. And light! They're photosynthetic, so they need light. If your pond's real murky or deep, or if it's an indoor tank, think 'bout how they gonna get enough light. These things, they all play together to help your PSB thrive.
Not all fish places are the same, so your PSB plan might need some tweakin'. For big farm ponds, you figure out how much PSB per area, like Liters per hectare. For little fish tanks, it's usually by volume, like milliliters per Liter. Then there's systems like Biofloc Fish Farming, where PSB can help balance things out, and you might add a little bit every day. It's kinda clever how it works.
If you got a whole lotta fish packed in, or you're feedin' 'em heavy, that means more waste. So, you'll likely need more PSB, or add it more often, to keep up. Even the type of fish or shrimp, and if they're babies or grown-ups, can change things. Little baby fish, or fry, sometimes they need special doses, maybe 'cause the PSB helps their bellies too. An expert tip: always check the CFU/mL on your aquaculture probiotics to compare.
Folks ain't just guessin' that PSB helps. There's numbers to prove it! Studies show that when you use PSB, like Pangoo Aqua Photosynthetic Bacteria, the bad stuff in the water, like ammonia, goes way down. One time, they saw ammonia go from 8 parts per million down to just 1! That's a big deal for keepin' fish healthy. It means the water is cleaner for them to swim and breathe in.
And get this, fish can grow bigger with less food. They call it FCR, or Feed Conversion Ratio. PSB can help lower that FCR. Imagine your FCR goes from 1.8 down to 1.2 – that means you save a bunch on feed costs! Plus, more fish tend to live (higher survival rates, like 98% sometimes!) and they grow faster and bigger. It's like the PSB gives 'em a healthier home and maybe even a little snack, so they do better. Products like an Aqua Health Booster can work alongside PSB too.
Here's a quick look:
What PSB Helps With | How Much It Helps (Examples) |
---|---|
Less Bad Ammonia | Down from 8.0 to 1.0 ppm |
Better Food Use (FCR) | From 1.8 down to 1.2 |
More Fish Stay Alive | Up to 98% survival |
Fish Grow Bigger/Faster | Noticeable weight gain |
Using PSB right is key. Sometimes, you gotta "activate" the PSB before puttin' it in the pond. This means wakin' up the bacteria with a bit of sugary stuff like molasses, some warmth, and light for a few hours. It gets 'em rarin' to go. Pangoo Group might have specific instructions for their Aqua Photosynthetic Bacteria on this. Best time to add 'em to the pond? Sunset is good, 'cause strong sun can hurt fresh bacteria.
Make sure to spread 'em out in the water; turn on your aerator for a bit. And super important: don't mix PSB with water that has chlorine in it, that'll kill 'em. Also, be careful with other chemicals. Some things, like copper sulfate, don't mix well if used too close together. Oh, and try not to change out your pond water for a few days after adding PSB, let 'em settle in. Sometimes, using PSB with a good Sludge Remover or even Nitrifying Bacteria can make things even better. They all work as a team.
Now, a question I hear a lot: is this PSB stuff safe? And can I mess up by using too much? Generally, the kinds of PSB used in fish farming, like the Rhodobacter and Rhodopseudomonas in many Pangoo Group products, they is safe. They ain't gonna hurt your fish or shrimp, and they ain't known to cause problems for people who eat the fish neither. They're natural little critters.
What 'bout "overdosing"? For most part, if you add a bit more PSB than needed, it's more like wastin' product than hurtin' anything. The extra bacteria might just not have enough food or they become fish food themselves. Now, one study did see that super, super high amounts of one type of PSB (way more than you'd normally use) could cause a bit of a hiccup in tiny lobster seedlings. So, stick to the directions from companies like Pangoo. If your water turns a bit reddish after adding PSB, that's often normal; it's just the bacteria doin' their thing.
So, usin' PSB the right way, knowin' how much and how often, really can make your fish farmin' better. It means cleaner water, fish that use their food better, and healthier, bigger fish. That's good for your pocket too! Pangoo Group has been around since 1993, and they know a whole heap 'bout these aquaculture probiotics. They do lots of research to make sure their stuff works good.
Their Aqua Photosynthetic Bacteria has them good Rhodobacter and Rhodopseudomonas fellas in it. And they got other helpful things like Sludge Remover and Aqua Health Booster. If you got questions 'bout your own farm, the folks at Pangoo are usually happy to help. They can give ya advice tailored to your setup. Using good science and good products is the way to go for top-notch fish farmin'.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much PSB should I put in my small fish tank?
How often do I need to add PSB to my pond?
Can I use too much PSB? Will it hurt my fish?
Does PSB work in cold water?
My water turned reddish after adding PSB. Is that bad?
Can I use PSB with other water treatments like a Sludge Remover?
Where can I get good PSB products?