Recommendation: Do not use different bacteria products in an aquarium, particularly during startup. When an aquarium is new, the available nutrients for bacteria to consume are scarce and if the kind of bacteria you introduce requires organics, they will likely not be available and the two different bacterial cultures can fight each other.

It is best to start out with MicroBacter Start and cycle the tank, and then progress to MicroBacterCLEAN at cycling completion. Then progress to MicroBacter7 or FlorinBacter7at 4 to 6 months of age. This will provide the cleanest and fastest route to meet your goals and provide a beautiful and sustainable bacterial ecosystem.

Particularly do not introduce foreign strains of bacteria such as ''live sand'', pre-cultured dry man made ''live rock, '' etc. It is okay to use rocks from other aquariums that have already cycled and live rock purchased from stores. All forms of man made or natural live rock (except dry pre-cultured), aragonite and marco rock will work fine.

If you introduce the wrong strains of bacteria, at the wrong time, you can slow down the whole process. Additional InformationIf your system is smaller than 100 gallons, use the Xport Bio Cubes or Xport Bio Blocks instead or cut the brick in half. While the BIO Brick will perform both nitrification and denitrification, if your need is primarily for denitrification, you should purchase the Xport NO3 Brick instead or in addition.

One important criteria in marine systems is gas exchange. Xport is the best bacterial media in the world, but it is not good at gas exchange. Bio balls are the best for gas exchange, so any system will work better with a small stack of bio balls placed in the main flow (in air).

Use one XPort Bio Brick for every 1, 000 U. S. gallons (3, 800 L) of system capacity, more for heavy bio loads. Normally, do not use more than one brick per 100 gallons of tank capacity. Bricks may be cut in half for smaller systems. Rinse material well with aquarium water or purified tap water to remove any dust.

For superior results, seed the material using only the specific bacteria product that you are using in the aquarium. If using MicroBacter Start XLM, use one capful to seed (add balance of bacteria directly to the aquarium). If using FlorinBacter7, MicroBacter7 or MicroBacterCLEAN add full recommended dose.

Place XPort Bio Brick in a plastic container, filling it with aquarium water, and then add the bacteria to that container. Allow to stand overnight and then add the seeded XPort Bio Brick to your system. It is recommended that you use sponge, fine filter floss or other mechanical filtration ahead of XPort Bio Brick to prevent clogging with organic material.

For maximum results, also provide a good carbon source for growing bacteria, such as Brightwell Katalyst bio pellets or liquid Reef BioFuel or Florin Axis, as appropriate for your aquarium.