Microbe-Lift Aquarium Products By Ecological Laboratories

Ecological Laboratories has hit the aquarium supplements / water conditioners scene with force this year releasing a full suite of Microbe-Lift products for both salt and freshwater aquariums. But what is really interesting to this 3reefer is their company history. Since 1976, this family-owned company has been cleaning up ponds, rivers, industrial sites - even some of that water around the Olympics in China last year so they know a bit about cleaning up water. One wonders if the knowledge will go one way or if aquariums will teach them a thing or two they can apply elsewhere. Let's call it the 'nano' factor. We are keeping an eye on Microbe-Lift!


Microbe-Lift's Special Blend

Special Blend contains denitrifiers that function without oxygen. These select microbes can remove aquarium nitrates by converting nitrate to nitrogen gas that bubbles harmlessly into the atmosphere under the anoxic conditions in aquarium filters and biofilms.


Do you use any Microbe-Lift products? How do they work for you?

 

not seen that range where I am

Ill have a look next time Im out though

Steve

 

Im all for stuff like this, i've used bacteria in a bottle before to instantly cycle a tank. But i thought Anerobic bacteria died when it met with oxygen - or if not died at least coverted to aerobic bacteria. Surely then, its not possible to bottle anerobes? Or if it is, then when you pour it in your tank then it would become aerobic??

 

What's your take on this stuff Matt is it worth it or not. Tagging along

 

I can't answer that simply because I have not tried their products yet. I made this thread because I had an interesting chat with a few of their reps at a trade show and I find their background expertise worth noting. If you try them out first, please post your impressions as I would like to hear what others' experiences have been with their Microbe-Lift products.

 

Hi all, never posted before, but I have just used this product so thought I'd contribute:
I have just set up my first proper tank (freshwater, not marine) and used Microbe lift to cycle it. The sales guy at my LFS said it would cycle the tank in 4hrs! He set up a large marine tank (which I've seen) complete with corals and fish in one day using 2 of their products - Nite-Out II and Special Blend (they must be used together for full effect). So, I did the same thing. I stocked with; 1 pleco, 1 Raphael Catfish, 2 Dwarf Gourami, 6 tetras, 3 Kouhli Loach and a handful of
shrimp. The tank is a Juwel 180 and is moderately planted. 4 weeks in now and no fatalities/sickness etc. Ammonia and Nitrites 0. The only thing to remember is to add more product every time you add fish.

I'm new to fish keeping and am highly respectful of the wealth of experience out there, but does this mean the 2-6 week tank cycling ethos has had it's day?

 

Glad to hear it worked for you - even though there are a lot of products like this - and some that even work it seems! - my opinion is that the exercise of waiting a month is a great practice to instill patience in this hobby. Not much good happens fast in a reef tank. If you have more details about this line of products, please share.