MicrōBacter Start XLM 15X creates a nitrifying biological filter in marine & brackish aquaria of all types and is particularly useful for new startups, resulting in cycling in about 7 days in most cases, if directions are followed, and no competing bacteria or nothing toxic is added (please read this whole webpage.) It quickly removes toxic ammonia and nitrite naturally through non-pathogenic nitrifying bacterial action. Even though this product is extremely potent, it may be overdosed at up to 5 times the rated dosage during aquarium emergencies. It should be your first choice to remove ammonia during emergencies where the filter has been inadvertently killed or when experiencing overcrowding.
Benefits
- Professional strength live tank starter nitrifying bioculture for rapidly cycling new marine and fish and reef aquaria and brackish aquariums in 5-7 days.
- Does not require refrigeration, unlike any other live tank starter.
- Prevents “New Tank Syndrome”.
- Provides recovery from overcrowding or disasters from bacteria bed damage or when adding new fish.
- Helpful to reestablish nitrifying bacteria after cleaning rocks and surfaces or after medication use by rapidly reducing ammonia and nitrite; useful after rearranging decorations or performing major maintenance.
MicroBacter Start XLM
DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
Add the appropriate volume of MicrōBacter Start XLM (see below) to the aquarium in an area of high flow to promote dispersion. Do not use “live sand” or “dry seeded artificial live rock” until cycling with this product is complete for several weeks! (In fact, Brightwell recommends that you do not use dry seeded artificial "live rock" ever. The best choices are aquacultured live rock, rock from the ocean, naturally cycled artificial rock sold wet, unseeded dry artificial rock, dry florida aragonite, other natural aragonite, marco rock and the like. Any rock that already contains a bacteria and is dry, will damage the cycling process and in our experience takes too long to cycle and cycles the wrong nutrients - dry seeded rock will not properly cycle ammonia because it is the wrong species of bacteria)
To seed Biological Filtration in new aquaria: Add 30 ml (6 capfuls) of MicrōBacter Start XLM per 25 US-gallons (95 L) of aquarium water. Add one or more hardy fish. Remove filter socks, turn UV-sterilization and/or ozonation and/or protein skimmer off for the complete period of cycling until you are finished dosing this product. Test ammonia and nitrite levels daily or as needed, if either are above .2 ppm, then you can dose MicrōBacter Start XLM again at a lower dose of 10 ml per 25 US-gallons, if desired. At 7 days or longer, Tank is cycled if, and only if, both ammonia and nitrite levels are zero and nitrate is well above zero. If either ammonia or nitrite levels are above zero, then the tank is not yet fully cycled and you should not add fish. if the nitrate is not above zero (at least .25 ppm), then tank is not yet fully cycled and you should not add fish.
To replace bacteria killed by extensive cleaning of substrates and surfaces: Add 10 to 30 ml per 25 US-gallons (95 L) depending on perceived damage to filter bed, and ammonia level.
To replace bacteria killed by medications, overcrowding or emergencies: First, dose the aquarium with Brightwell Erase Cl to detoxify the ammonia until the bacteria can consume it! Dose daily with Erase Cl, if necessary to keep ammonia under control until the bacteria are fully in control. Add 30 ml per 25 US-gallons (95 L) or more of MicroBacter Start XLM, depending on perceived damage to the filter bed. Then add 5 ml per half hour until ammonia levels come down.
To perform a Fishless Cycle: Purchase a bottle of MicroBacter QuikCycl to use simultaneously with this product, MicrōBacter Start XLM according to the QuikCycl label Fishless cycling requires both products to be used together. This product will provide the bacteria and the QuikCycl will provide the nutrients. Go slow with QuikCycl! All of the ammonia you put in will become nitrate that you will have to remove later.
Ongoing care after the aquarium is cycled: To provide ongoing biological stability to a cycled aquarium: Switch to MicrōBacter Clean after the tank is fully cycled and one week has elapsed. This will greatly reduce problems during the "ugly stage." At that point, you can add Reef BioFuelto to provide a carbon source for the MicroBacter Clean, if desired. If you want to switch to MicrōBacter 7 the best time will be when the aquarium has been running for 4 to 6 months