Microbacter with tank cycle?

Slickcg33

New member
My local fish store just moved to a new location and they used a product called Microbacter, from brightwell aquatics. They swear by this product for new tanks.
I just set up a 4 gallon pico w/ live sand and a deli shrimp. Ill be adding liverock on Thursday. Is this product legit and should I add it to my tank to help in the cycle? Thanks

BW01220_99.jpg


Skip over this section if you know what the product is or arent interested in the details......
Description
Main Features


"""""""Overview:

Complex system of non-pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic microbes, as well as natural enzymes, specifically formulated to establish biological filtration in new aquarium set-ups, and to enhance the rate of nitrification, denitrification, and organic waste degradation in marine and freshwater aquaria through complete nutrient remineralization.
Benefits are:
1. Rapid reduction of organic carbon, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate.
2. Digestion of uneaten/undigested food, excreta, detritus, and other latent organic material, resulting in cleaner and healthier aquarium substrate (without having to physically clean or disturb the substrate bed).
3. Reduction of organic compounds into nutrients that encourage the growth of photosynthetic organisms (e.g. zooxanthellae, macroalgae, plants).
4. Greatly-reduced hydrogen sulfide production.
5. Increase in dissolved oxygen concentration.
6. Limits availability of pre-existing phosphate to undesirable forms of algae and cyanobacteria.
7. Increased water clarity.

Supplied in a state of suspended animation for maximum longevity.
Formulated utilizing extensive data compiled by microbiologists.
Technical Background
The concentration of dissolved and particulate organic materials in any aquatic environment can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of, as well as the health of organisms residing within, that system. Relatively low-nutrient environments are characterized by high water clarity, lack of unpleasant odors, and absence of microalgae and cyanobacteria; this is collectively a result of the lack of nitrogen-, phosphorus-, and carbon-based waste available. Aquaria that are relatively rich in available nutrients have characteristics opposite to the afore-mentioned, and are typically not desirable because of the resultant appearance of the system and the difficulty of maintaining healthy aquarium inhabitants.
Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 is a selective complex of extremely effective microbes and enzymes that rapidly reduces the concentrations of organic nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and organic carbon in all marine and freshwater ecosystems, leading to greatly improved water quality; better water quality typically leads to healthier aquarium inhabitants. MicroBacter7 does not require refrigeration, however storage in a cool, shaded area will prolong the activity, and maximize the shelf-life, of the product.

Instructions and Guidelines:
Shake product well before using. Mix appropriate volume of MicroBacter7 (see below) with 250-ml (~8 fl. oz.) of aquarium water in a clean container prior to addition to aquarium. If using a pipette to dispense MicroBacter7 below water level of container or aquarium, be sure to thoroughly clean pipette with fresh water prior to placing tube back into MicroBacter7 bottle; failure to do so will contaminate the product. Best results may be obtained by adding mixture to external biological filtration system (if applicable). Do not add to pump intake port(s). For best results, use within 1-year of purchase date. Grossly overdosing MicroBacter7 will not significantly increase the effectiveness of the product, nor the rate at which it enacts changes in aquaria. The following recommendations are based upon extensive testing and will produce the best results in most aquaria.

Medium- to High-nutrient Systems, or to seed Biological Filtration in new aquaria: To effectively decrease the concentration of available nutrients and waste material in all marine and freshwater aquaria, add 5 ml (1 capful) per 25 US-gallons (94.6 L) [Ëœ4 drops per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water daily for the first two weeks of use; the impact that MicroBacter7 has on an aquarium is most evident within this period. Turn protein skimming and UV-sterilization off for a period of 4 hours following addition to aquaria. A noticeable difference in water clarity is typically apparent within 30-minutes of dosing. Follow same instructions for new aquarium start-up. Thereafter, switch to "œlow-nutrient" dosage (below).

Stable, Low-nutrient Systems: To maintain a low concentration of available nutrients in all marine and freshwater aquaria, 5 ml (1 capful) of MicroBacter7 per 50 US-gallons (189.3 L) [Ëœ2 drops per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water no more than once each week; alternately, add 1 drop per 50 US-gallons daily (or 1 drop per 25 US-gallons every other day). Turn protein skimming and UV-sterilization off for a period of 4 hours following addition to aquaria. Dosage may be adjusted according to perceived benefit to aquarium, however it is recommended that the dosage not exceed 1 drop per 10 US-gallons per day. With time, hobbyists may determine that decreasing the dosage and/or dosing frequency by up to 50% sufficiently maintains a low-nutrient environment. During changes in biological filtration or when increasing the aquarium bioload, dose 1 drop per 25 US-gallons daily for one week, then resume "œlow-nutrient" dosage.

Caution:
Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.

Ingredients:
Purified water, proprietary blend of natural enzymes and non-pathogenic, beneficial microorganisms."""""""
 
It would be interesting if someone were to mix up some fresh salt water and add some ammonia or nitrate solution to it in a clean container with a loose lid to allow oxygen in. Then add the appropriate amount of Microbacter. Then see how long it takes for the stuff to reduce the ammonia or nitrate.

Probably would need a control container too. :lol:

While your at it, do another container and control for anaerobic conditions. :)
 
Last edited:
Don't know about MB7 but I've used Seachem's Stability to cycle a few tanks over the years and IMO it works.

+1

I cycle my QT each time I place fish in it with Stability. Works great.

I cycled my DT with Right Now! Bacteria from Hiatt...no ammonia, nitrites, nitrates in 3 months. :eek2:
 
I have dosed this for two new tanks recently... The first was my QT and it turned out to be a fiasco because the N02 was/is/has been stuck for the last two months and will not budge unless I perform a water change. I kept asking myself "Where are the nitrobacter??", and thought maybe I had a bad jug of Microbacter 7. This up until my second new tank started actually producing NO3 a couple days ago. I am now thinking the problem with the QT can be attributed to my having moved the filter medium from a HOB filter to a canister mid cycle. Plus the canister itself is probably not set up optimally and flow is not being driven thru the medium.

Now the second tank is moving right along. It is on day 17 and nitirite has/is peaked and nitrate is starting to steadily rise. In a few more days it might be done. I have trouble with the API colors but the best I can tell the current readings are:

NH3 0.00
N02 just >1.00
N03 just <10.00

It is a 75G and everything that has been put in it is dead/dry/sterile except for the MB7, a couple palm fulls of frozen food, and any ammonia the freshly mixed salt imparted on the water.

BTW this is the same tank I posted about that had an the yellow film/powder growth spurt about day seven or so.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1802494
 
I used the MB7 to cycle my new 120 gal tank, sump, and frag tank with a total system volume of 200 gal. Both the rock and the sand were dry, nothing live. I used the MB7 at 40 ml daily for two weeks and then went to a maint cylce of 40 ml once a week.

After two weeks, I put in the cleanup crew and all the parameters are at or near zero. Now starting to stock fish.
 
Back
Top