Bacterial starter

Description

Dry aquarium bacterial additives are offered to support microorganisms in the substrate or filtration system. Check their intended placement and formulation. ADA Bacter 100 is an example described as dormant substrate bacteria, sprinkled on the base substrate during setup. Similar-looking additives can serve different purposes. ADA Clear Super contains activated carbon and organic acid, while Bacter 100 is the bacterial additive. A substrate powder, sphere or liquid starter is not interchangeable solely because each is sold for aquarium setup. Follow the selected product’s directions and restrictions. ADA’s Bacter 100 manual describes temporary cloudiness, calls for stopping CO2 injection and aerating until it clears, and warns against combining it with other manufacturers’ products or fish disease medication. Those instructions apply to Bacter 100 and should not become a universal powder-treatment procedure. A bacterial additive does not establish a fixed completion time for biological filtration. Seachem’s separate Stability FAQ acknowledges that aquariums cycle differently even after its stated dosing period. Judge progress from the actual system and water measurements rather than the number of days or doses alone.

Sources

• adana.co.jp — https://www.adana.co.jp/en/contents/products/na_substrate/detail05.html/1000
• adana.co.jp — https://www.adana.co.jp/en/contents/support/substrate/manuals/BACTER100_WEB.pdf
• seachem.com — https://www.seachem.com/stability.php

Further reading on identification and aquarium care.