Description

Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit: For a Functional Microbiome

Diverse organisms release ammonia into aquarium water as a metabolic waste product. Not only is ammonia toxic to marinelife but also it can build up rapidly in recirculating systems such as aquaria. Thankfully, the natural world (and most aquaria) contains only trace quantities of this substance due to the activity of nitrifying bacteria. These mainly aerobic, autolithotrophic microorganisms include both ammonia-oxidizing species (which convert ammonia into nitrite) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (which convert nitrite into relatively harmless nitrate) while utilizing inorganic sources of carbon (e.g. carbon dioxide). The term “nitrogen cycling” is used in the aquarium hobby to describe various methods used to promote the rapid and permanent establishment of nitrifying microorganisms in a so-called biofilter. Nowadays, the preferred method for cycling a new aquarium is “fishless” cycling, utilizing concentrated bottled inoculants and inorganic nitrogen sources. The Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit addresses this first important stage of the process.

That being said, nitrifiying bacteria account for only a small fraction of the core reef microbiome. Many of these “other” microbes are represented by heterotrophic groups. These may assimilate large amounts of nitrate and phosphate (both of which tend to build up in recirculating aquarium systems) through their rapid growth whilst utilizing organic sources of carbon. Purple non-sulfur bacteria are well known to be important heterotrophs on natural coral reefs not only because of their critical role in nitrogen cycling but also because they possess enzymes that break down poorly digestible organic substances such as cellulose (e.g. cell walls of dead algae). In so doing, these bacteria help to control detritus build-up in aquaria. Moreover, in addition to being capable of assimilating and nitrifying nitrogenous compounds, they are also capable of performing denitrification! As such, they compliment the traditional nitrifiers in that they assist in nitrification and consume organic wastes (which nitrifiers cannot do) as well as convert excess nitrate into totally inert nitrogen gas! Even more, these photosynthetic microbes are a natural and rich source of protein and carotenoids for copepods, corals, etc.

How the Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit works

This complimentary pairing works synergistically to efficiently cycle nitrogen as well as carbon, phosphorus and sulfur while curbing the growth of undesirable bacteria and algae. In short, they lay the foundation for a healthy and clean aquarium environment. The Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit contains all of the components needed to establish a fully functioning microbiological community in new saltwater aquaria–even the perfect biomedia! Get your microbiome off to a great start by using only the best live nitrifying and photoheterotrophic bacteria plus the perfect fuel to help the microbes thrive! Using this combo pack, which includes TurboStart 900, PNS Substrate Sauce, NitroCycle and MarinePure (the versatile 2″ blocks), you can cycle a completely sterile system, and enhance its capacity to break down organic wastes, in as little as five days.

Here’s What’s in the Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit:

You have options! The Ultimate Aquarium Cycle Kit is available in several sizes to exactly suit your needs (based upon required dosage of TurboStart). The 1 oz size option comes with one bottle of 16 oz PNS Substrate Sauce and 12 MarinePure cubes. The 4 oz and 16 oz options come with one bottle of 16 oz PNS Substrate Sauce and 24 MarinePure cubes. The 32 oz and 128 oz options come with two bottles of 16 oz PNS Substrate Sauce and 48 MarinePure cubes. An extraordinary value when purchased together in this package!