Collection: Brightwell Aquatics

Professional 15x strength powerful live tank starter nitrifying bioculture, with much fewer temperature and shelf life restrictions than competing products, for rapidly cycling new marine fish and reef aquaria and brackish aquariums, and for recovering from overcrowding or disasters where the bacteria bed has been damaged or when adding new fish. 

It is also quite useful after re-arranging decorations or performing major maintenance, such as cleaning substrates or biological media to "recharge" the nitrifying bacteria population.

OVERVIEW

• Super concentrated 15X Suspension of LIVE non-pathogenic microbes, specifically formulated to extremely rapidly establish biological filtration in new aquarium set-ups, and to enhance the rate of nitrification in existing systems.

• Useful for rapidly re-establishing nitrification bacteria in case of an emergency

• Particularly useful in aquaria with high population densities and when adding new fish

• Helpful to re-establish nitrifying bacteria after cleaning rocks and surfaces and after use of medications.

• Rapid reduction of ammonia, and nitrite.

• Prevents New Tank Syndrome.

• Supplied in a proprietary base which provides for maximum longevity

• Formulated utilizing extensive data compiled by microbiologists.

DESCRIPTION:

Micro Bacter 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 competeing 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.

Notes: It is normal that clumps may form in the product and the product and the aquarium may have an earthy smell or smell off and the aquarium water could become cloudy and the smell and cloudiness could remain for many hours after using. This is due to the bacteria themselves and is an indication of quality and is the reason it is necessary to shake product well immediately before using.

Unique Marine Systemic System Cleaner designed to target and clean surfaces of live rock, coral decorations and tank walls

Overview

• Complex systemic cleaning polymer product, specifically formulated to clean aquarium live rock surfaces and decorations systemically.
• Benefits are:
  1. Gentle loosening of ugly accumulations of unwanted substances, debris and coatings which makes their removal by scraping and vacuuming much easier
  2. Flocculation of particulate matter from leftover food, detritus and precipitation
  3. Prevents particles from settling on rocks and accumulating
  4. Overall cleaning action making the aquarium cleaner, clearer and more desirable, helps keep glass clean longer.

Sizes

125ml | 250ml | 500ml | 1L | 2L | 4L | 20L

Considerations for Use

It is recommended that activated carbon use be suspended while using this product, as activated carbon can reduce the product’s effectiveness. Once the aquarium has attained the desired appearance, activated carbon can be put back into the filtration system, if desired. Due to the rate at which filters collect particulate material, it may be necessary to clean mechanical filter pads and other media every other day while dosing this product. Simultaneous use with MicrōBacter^CLEAN will have a very synergistic effect.  If using with MicrōBacter^CLEAN , add it first and then wait several hours to add the Razor Marine_TM.

Active protein skimming and sensible feeding should be the first steps taken to minimize turbidity and the concentration of dissolved organic materials in any marine aquarium. Water of high clarity that is low in dissolved organic material and possesses the proper parameters is the basis for a healthy aquarium system!

Razor Marine is slow acting and may require multiple applications to achieve the effect desired by the user. Used as directed, it is safe for marine fishes, hard and soft corals, and other inverts, as well as most macro-algae, however, as all animals are individuals, and water conditions vary in many aquariums, animals should be observed closely during use, for signs of stress (corals closing and not re-opening, erratic behavior etc.). If signs of stress occur, or if macro-algae are affected negatively, reduce or discontinue use as necessary. If symptoms persist, do a partial water change and add carbon.

Instructions & Guidelines

Shake product well before using! For every 50 gallons ( 190 L ) of aquarium volume: Introduce the following dosages of this product into a high flow area of the main aquarium.  Note: 125 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml bottle caps are 5 ml.  2 Liter and 4 Liter caps are 10 ml.

Day 1: add 2½ ml (½ capful)
Day 2: add 5ml (1 capful)
Day 3: add 7½ ml (1½ capfuls)
Day 4: add 10 ml (2 capfuls)
Day 5: add 12½ ml (2½ capfuls)
Day 6: add 15 ml (3 capfuls)

For maintenance, add 7.5 ml (1½ capfuls) every other day or as needed. Activated carbon may be re-installed in the filters once treatment with this product has been concluded.

Brightwell_® recommends that all makeup water in the aquarium be filtered by reverse osmosis or deionization to prevent adding phosphates and silicates. Brightwell_® also recommends that you regularly test phosphates and keep them at a level of .02 ppm or less. You can lower phosphates by the use of Xport PO4 Cubes, Extrax Phos, FerroxiPhos-G, PhosphātR or Phosphāt-E. The use of grazing snails such as turbo snails and nerites can be very helpful in cleaning the rocks and other surfaces. Use withMicrōBacter⁷ or MicrōBacter^CLEAN will be very beneficial. The use of RedoxIclean prior to use of this product, to clean up high organic levels or tea colored water will also be beneficial.

OVERVIEW

• Extensively-researched and tested over a multi-year period, with a formulation based on current understanding of Marine Chemistry and Marine Biology as they pertain to the husbandry of all marine aquaria (e.g. reef, mixed reef, FOWLR, fish-only, mangrove, sea grass, lagoonal, brackish, etc.)
• Precision-formulated to replicate the natural seawater ratios of every major element, as well as all non-conservative minor and trace elements.
• Creates a marine environment so chemically-similar to natural seawater in all important respects that aquarium inhabitants are not likely to discern any difference between water prepared with NeoMarine and filtered natural seawater from tropical reef waters.
• Contains USP, ACS Reagent-grade, FCC Food grade and chemically assayed ingredients.
• 134 g per 1 US-gallon (3.785 L) of purified water yields a specific gravity of ~1.025 g/cm3, with a pH of ~8.30 and alkalinity of ~7.5 dKH.
• Manufactured by Brightwell Aquatics in our production facility (not outsourced) under the strictest standards of quality. Every batch is lot numbered and sampled for quality control.
• Utilizes a production process that promotes particle size uniformity and a dry, homogenous salt blend.
• Formulated by a marine scientist; not composed of seawater evaporite.

  INSTRUCTIONS & GUIDELINES

  Do not mix in an aquarium containing live organisms. Marine creates slight heat when mixed into water; therefore, do not handle dry Marine with wet hands. Marine may have a slight sulfurous odor when the container is first opened; this is a result of the use of anhydrous magnesium chloride and sulfate and will dissipate.

  Each 134.5 g of Marine added to sufficient purified water to create 1 US-gallon total saltwater will result in specific gravity of ~1.025 g/cm3. If not using an accurate scale to measure salt, in a clean mixing vessel dissolve approximately 4 oz., or half a cup, of Marine per gallon of purified water and adjust specific gravity as needed by adding more salt or water to increase/decrease specific gravity, respectively. It is strongly recommended that water purified via reverse osmosis and/or deionization be used for seawater preparation.

  Place the full amount of water you intend to mix into a mixing vessel. Heat the water to 76 to 78 deg F first before adding Marine mix. Add Marine slowly, mixing vigorously all the while! Allow the freshly-made seawater to mix thoroughly with a submersible pump for not less than one hour.

  Always use an accurate hydrometer or (preferably) refractometer to determine the specific gravity of prepared seawater. Ensure that the water temperature matches that of the established aquarium. 

  Allow water to mix, preferably while being aerated, until pH becomes completely stable, indicating that gas equilibrium has been achieved. Although water can be used in an hour, It is strongly recommended that at least 24-hours of mixing be allowed to pass before adding the water to an established aquarium; this extra time enables gas formed during the salt dissolution to escape, further stabilizing alkalinity and pH.

  Note that water temperature and mixing rate will influence the speed with which the salt goes into solution. It is recommended that 10 - 20% of the total water volume in an aquarium system be replaced every 7 - 10 days; this helps maintain proper water chemistry and consequently benefits aquarium inhabitants.

  Causes of Cloudiness: Marine is an anhydrous salt, meaning that is is much drier than most salts (which are hydrated meaning they contain water, quite a bit of it). If you add Marine to water too fast, it will cloud.

  Water to cold. Always heat the water to 76 to 78 deg F before you begin.

  Adding too much salt or adding it too fast, or just dumping it in and allowing it to lay on the bottom of the container without stirring and agitation. Cloudiness will form under these conditions.

  Not using the full volume of water. Always use the full amount of water and gradually bring up the salinity in the mixing container, adding the salt over a period of time. If you don't you will get cloudiness.

  What to do if you have mixed it wrong and it is cloudy: Cloudiness is not dangerous, it is just the formation of carbonates of divalent cations, such as calcium, into tiny particles. When added to the aquarium, it will dissolve over several days. Adding it through a fine filter sock may remove some of the particles and allow them to dissolve unseen, over time.

READ ALL BEFORE BEGINNING!

Caution: Contains Ammonia, Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption. If swallowed, contact a poison control center immediately.

NOTE: THIS PRODUCT IS DESIGNED FOR FISHLESS CYCLING. DO NOT EVER PUT INTO AN AQUARIUM containing LIVE FISH, PLANTS, OR INVERTEBRATES. ADD ANIMALS AFTER CYCLING IS COMPLETE!!! This product alone will not cycle an aquarium, it simply provides the nutrients. You must use a good quality bacterial culture to establish the bacteria bed in the aquarium. We highly recommend Brightwell MicrōBacter Start XLM or MicrōBacter Start XLF as appropriate for your aquarium. This product may also be used with MicrōBacter^CLEAN to cycle a marine aquarium, but the cycle may not be as fast as using the MicrōBacter Start.  DO NOT OVERDOSE, EVER! Be patient, your animals lives are at stake!

You must use test kits to measure pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to complete cycling on an aquarium. If you attempt to cycle the tank without proper testing, you are asking for disaster and will likely kill your fish. Brightwell is not responsible for indescriminate use of this product! We recommend that you read up on aquarium cycling so that you know what it is all about. Please also consult our website at www.brightwellaquatics.com for more information.

This product requires simultaneous use with a LIVE BACTERIAL CULTURE: Bacteria products for aquarium use vary widely in characteristics, strength and overall design. The results you get will be quite different if you use an inferior bacteria culture or one that is out of date or has been stored incorrectly and at harmful temperatures. Nitrifying bacteria is damaged by heat and outright killed by freezing, so care must be taken to preserve its efficacy. If the bacterial product you use is dead, then this whole process will not work! Brightwell highly recommends that you use either MicrōBacter Start XLM, or MicrōBacter Start XLF depending on whether you are starting a marine aquarium or a freshwater aquarium. For freshwater, a more economical choice can be made to use either FlorinBacter One, FlorinBacter or FlorinBacter7.

Sizes

60ml | 125ml | 250ml

Instructions & Guidelines

Instructions to quickly cycle new aquarium without fish:
On Day 1:

Note:  DO NOT USE CARBON, GFO or other phosphate removers until cycling is complete and 30 more days has passed!  If you do, you will slow the cycle!
a) Turn off skimmer, UV and remove fine filtration such as socks, make sure aquarium has sufficient filtration surface area, such as provided by Brightwell Xport_TM world class bacterial filtration medium or Micrōbacter Lattice_TM.
b) You must use a good dechlorinator first, such as Brightwell Erāse to remove chloramine and chlorine!
c) Prepare water and adjust pH, alkalinity, and temperature
d) Add full dose of QuikCycl_TM at 4 drops per gallon or 1 ml per 5 gallons of tank capacity
e) Measure Ammonia which should be between 1 and 2 ppm total ammonia, which is ammonia plus ammonium (NH₃ and NH₄⁺). Do not add more to get the proper reading either today or throughout the days that follow. This is because the bacteria will quickly begin to use up the ammonia, and even though added, it will may not show up on your tests.
f) Add MicrōBacter Start XLM, or MicrōBacter Start XLF as appropriate for your aquarium, as directed.

On Day 2: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite and record values.

On Day 3: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite and record values.

On Day 4: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. If either Ammonia or Nitrite are over .25 ppm, then you can add more bacteria, if desired.

On Day 5: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite and record values

On Day 6: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. If either Ammonia or Nitrite are over .25 ppm, then you can add more bacteria, if desired.

On Day 7: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. If using MicrōBacter Start XLM, MicrōBacter Start XLF and your Ammonia and Nitrite show zero, then measure Nitrate. If Nitrate is showing .25 ppm or higher, then your aquarium is cycled. If using any other bacteria, then go to Day 8.

On Day 8: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite and record values.

On Day 9 and subsequent days: Measure pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. If Ammonia + Nitrite value is zero, then measure nitrate and if there is a reading of Nitrate at .25 ppm or higher, then the aquarium is cycled.

At conclusion of cycling, perform a 25% water change and begin adding hardy animals, SLOWLY. Restart UV, skimmer and filtration. Go Slow!