Microbe-lift Special Blend 473ml.

Special Blend contains living, photosynthetic, aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, anaerobic and chemosynthetic bacteria that are extremely useful for achieving an ecological balance in the aquarium. These bacteria use sunlight as a source of energy while nonetheless doing the work of the aerobic heterotrophic filter bacteria. The photosynthetic bacteria are also the reason for the characteristic purple/red colour of the product. Ecologically speaking, these photosynthetic bacteria occupy the same space as the algae and compete with them by depriving them of their food. Because these bacteria are photosynthetic, they can do their work even in tanks that are very nutrient-poor without having negative side-effects (dying off or sulphur metabolism). These bacteria therefore do not necessarily have to be fed. A significant advantage over most other filter bacteria in the market. They also generally compete well against cyanobacteria, because they can also use light as a source of food. Also ideal for maintaining the microbiology of DSB systems (deep sand bed systems). It also biologically stabilises the entire aquarium environment. The bacteria work as soon as they are used without having to „wake up“ first, in contrast to products based on trace elements.

Advantages:

• Contains living bacteria (no spores), which means it‘s active immediately
• The bottle wall contains a nutrient solution which prevents bacteria from dying once the bottle has been opened
• Photosynthetic bacteria break down pollutants using light if no anaerobic zones are available
• Works against cyanos and slime algae in freshwater and saltwater
• Lowers nitrate content in a biological way
• Breaks down organic waste materials
• Stimulates plant growth
• Reduces the frequency of cleaning and makes the water crystal clear

The Science and Success behind the smell:

When you open a bottle of Special Blend or TheraP there is a rotten egg smell. The odor is totally harmless, it dissipates within seconds, and it is there for a very good reason. The hydrogen sulfide acts like an anesthesia to put the bacteria to sleep. That’s why our bacteria’s have to longest shelf life on the market. By pouring it into water, the hydrogen sulfide flashes off and dilutes in the water allowing the bacteria to wake up and become active again.

Tips:

• Ozone and UV light can kill bacteria; please switch it off during the application for 12-24 hours.
• For optimum results, add Special Blend directly into the aquarium during the light phase.
• store the bacteria solution in its original bottle, or else it loses its effectiveness.
• When setting up seawater aquariums, add Special Blend 24 hours after adding the seawater.
• Ensure that there is always plenty of space for bacteria to settle by using the right filter media such as Ceramic Rings.
• Bacteria can lower the pH value; check it regularly.
• Seawater inhibits the growth of bacteria; for faster results, add an additional 25-50 %.
• Wait 72 hours after the administration of medicines before adding another dose.
• Ensure that there is sufficient oxygen/circulation in your aquarium.
• Special Blend combined with TheraP is the ideal biological overall solution for caring for your aquarium and its inhabitants.

Special Blend bacteria

Non-sulphur purple bacteria:

Rhodopseudomonas sp. Photosynthetic bacteria. Break down some toxic halogenated carboxylic acids.

Rhodospirillum rubrum Photosynthetic bacteria. Fix the nitrogen that originates from the nitrate breakdown and thus compete against cyanobacteria, which can also fix nitrogen. Excellent for preventing red cyano layers on the ground.

Sulphur purple bacteria:

Thiobacillus thiooxidans Photosynthetic bacteria. Convert the dreaded and toxic hydrogen sulphide into the less dangerous sulphuric acid, which is no longer a problem in the aquarium if there is sufficient KH.

Thiobacillus denitrificans Photosynthetic bacteria. Reduces the nitrate from nitrification to molecular nitrogen (gas). In combination with the above mentioned bacterium that fixes nitrogen, Rhodospirillum rubrum, a cycle is created that makes it difficult for the cyanobacteria to get to a source of nitrogen.

Thiobacillus thioparus Photosynthetic bacteria. Break down dangerous organic sulphur compounds such as carbon-disulphides, methanethiol, dimethyl sulphides and dimethyl disulfides, before they can form toxic hydrogen sulphide gas with any acids in the aquarium.

Pseudomonas:

Pseudomonas citronellolis Break down fats, phospholipids, oil and other toxic hydrocarbon compounds. Plasticisers are also sometimes converted into less dangerous compounds. The bacteria temporarily bind phosphates and thus removes them partially from the aquarium system.

Alcaligenes:

Alcaligenes Obligat aerob, break down nitrate under anaerobic conditions.

Flavobacterium: Flavobacter aquatile Flavobacter oceanosedimentum originate in the oceanic sediment layer. Need nitrogen compounds to grow.

Nitrobacter sp. Nitrobacter winogradski Oxidise nitrate into nitrate. Classic nitrobacter.

Nitrosomonas sp. Nitrosomonas europaea Oxidise ammonium into nitrite. Classic nitrobacter.

Nitrococcus: Nitrococcus mobilis Oxidise nitrate into nitrate. Classic nitrobacter.

Comamonas:

Comamonas testosterona Has a stimulating effect during water treatment (see bioaugmentation) Bioaugmentation is used to convert chlorinated ethene into ethylene and chloride, which are harmless.

Bacillus:

Bacillus pumilus Protect plants and animals in the aquarium from fungal infections. Effectively break down plant remains before they can pose a threat to plants and fish in the aquarium as breeding ground for fungi.

Clostridia:

Clostridium nitrophenolicum Specifically break down phenols (e.g. tannic substances) and nitrophenols. This makes the water significantly clearer (almost as if filtered using activated carbon) adding the seawater.