Aquaforest Probiotic Method: Buyer’s Guide
The Aquaforest Probiotic Method is a comprehensive approach to maintaining a healthy and vibrant reef aquarium by leveraging the power of probiotic bacteria. This method not only improves water quality but also supports coral health, coloration, and growth. Here’s how you can use the Aquaforest range of products to build and maintain a thriving marine environment.
1. Introduce Probiotics: The Foundation of Your Aquarium
The Aquaforest Probiotic Method begins with introducing beneficial bacteria into your aquarium. These probiotics help maintain the balance of microorganisms, limiting the growth of harmful bacteria, while lowering nitrate and phosphate levels—two substances that can negatively affect water quality if not controlled.
- Hybrid Pro Salt
Enriched with probiotic bacteria, vitamins, and amino acids, Hybrid Pro Salt is the first step in creating a healthy marine environment. It helps maintain low nitrate and phosphate levels while nourishing the beneficial bacteria in your tank
Why Probiotics Matter
Corals have complex microbiomes, and just like humans, they rely on good bacteria to stay healthy. Probiotic bacteria actively consume nitrates and phosphates, which otherwise could promote the growth of harmful microorganisms. By using Aquaforest’s probiotic products, you ensure that these essential elements are regulated.
2. Boost Bacterial Growth for Optimal Filtration
After introducing the probiotics, you’ll want to promote their rapid growth to keep nitrate and phosphate levels under control. Aquaforest offers several products that serve as carbon sources and nourishment for these bacteria:
Contains probiotic bacteria that aid in reducing nutrient levels.
- NP Pro & NitraPhos Minus
These carbon-based supplements feed the bacteria, helping them grow faster and consume more nitrates and phosphates from your water.
As these beneficial bacteria thrive, they either become part of the food chain for corals or are expelled from the aquarium via filtration.
Filtration Support
Using Zeo Mix, Phosphate Minus, and Carbon in your filtration system ensures that any excess bacteria, along with nitrates and phosphates they consume, are effectively removed from the water. For best results, pair these with a high-efficiency skimmer to further eliminate unwanted nutrients.
- Aquaforest Carbon
High-quality activated carbon that removes impurities, discoloration, and turbidity, improving water clarity. It’s steam-activated, so it won’t introduce phosphates and is ideal for mixed-reef and SPS-heavy tanks. Use it in fluidized filters or filter bags, replacing every 4 weeks.
- Aquaforest Phosphate Minus
This media reduces phosphate and silicate levels, preventing algae and cyanobacteria growth. It’s suitable for both new and mature tanks, helping stabilize water chemistry. Use it in media reactors or filter socks and replace every 4 weeks.
- Aquaforest Zeo Mix
A blend of zeolites that absorbs ammonia and prevents nitrate buildup. It also removes phenols and heavy metals, perfect for heavily stocked or ultra-low nutrient systems. Ideal for advanced reef aquarists, it works in both media reactors and filter bags.
3. Feeding Corals for Enhanced Growth and Vivid Colors
Corals, while deriving nutrients from light and their surroundings, also need supplementary food to thrive. Without proper nourishment, they cannot reach their full potential in color and growth.
The Aquaforest ABEV system, a combination of essential supplements, ensures that corals receive the nutrients they need for healthy growth:
- AF Amino Mix
Provides essential amino acids to improve coral coloration and support their overall health.
Enhances polyp extension, allowing corals to feed more effectively.
Promotes coral skeleton growth, giving your corals the structure and strength they need.
- AF Vitality
Provides organic nutrients that boost energy levels and enhance coloration.
4. How It Works: Nutrient Removal and Coral Nourishment
The key benefit of the Aquaforest Probiotic Method is the way it integrates bacterial growth with the overall health of your aquarium. The probiotic bacteria not only consume excess nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) but also become part of the food chain, providing nourishment for your corals.
Watch the process in action:
In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq8j9s79MMQ), you’ll see how bacteria that have consumed nitrates and phosphates are either removed through filtration or become a food source for corals.
Bacteria and Coral Symbiosis
As the bacteria process nitrates and phosphates, they transition into bacterioplankton, which corals naturally consume, adding a continuous source of food to your tank.
5. Aquarium Setup: Easy Steps with Aquaforest Probiotic Products
Here’s a simplified version of how to implement the Aquaforest Probiotic Method:
1. Start with Probiotic Salt:
Use Hybrid Pro Salt to introduce probiotic bacteria into your aquarium.
2. Boost Bacterial Growth:
Add Pro Bio S, -NP Pro, and NitraPhos Minus to nourish and promote beneficial bacterial populations.
3. Filter Effectively:
Use a mix of Zeo Mix, Phosphate Minus, and Carbon filtration media to remove unwanted nutrients and bacteria from the water.
4. Feed Your Corals:
Supplement with AF Amino Mix, AF Energy, AF Build, and AF Vitality to enhance coral health, growth, and coloration.
With the Aquaforest Probiotic Method, maintaining low nutrient levels and boosting coral health becomes an achievable goal for every reef keeper. From the initial introduction of bacteria with Hybrid Pro Salt to feeding corals with high-quality supplements, Aquaforest provides everything needed to create a thriving, vibrant reef system.