To encourage the growth of anaerobic bacteria in an aquarium, you need to create environments with very low to no oxygen levels. Marine aquarium hobbyists have found success by utilizing specific elements within the aquarium setup to achieve this.
One primary method used by marine aquarium hobbyists is incorporating a deep sand bed (DSB). As highlighted by marine aquarium enthusiasts, a DSB creates layers where oxygen is depleted at deeper levels. These low-oxygen zones are ideal for anaerobic bacteria to colonize and thrive.
In addition to deep sand beds, using lots of live rock in the aquarium ecosystem, including areas like the sump, also helps provide suitable environments for anaerobic bacteria. Live rock is porous and offers numerous nooks and crannies where oxygen levels can drop significantly, creating anaerobic microhabitats within the rock structure.
Therefore, creating these specific zones – deep sand beds and ample live rock – provides the necessary conditions (low oxygen) for anaerobic bacteria to flourish within the aquarium environment.
