Every grain of sand in the ocean is covered with a biofilm. Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite is naturally from the ocean. The bacteria on the sand are in a biofilm, therefore the bacteria are in their natural state, immediately removing toxic waste. Artificially adding bacteria (or cultured bacteria) does not make the same biofilm. It is not as efficient as the biofilm found on sand in the ocean which have been naturally selected through millions of years of evolution. All bacteria on Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite are preserved in their natural live state using a patented process and a patented saltwater enrichment solution QX-23. Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite is guaranteed to contain more than 200 million live bacteria per pound of sand in a natural biofilm, ready to instantly start the cycling process and stabilize your tank. Contains live marine autotrophic bacteria to provide proper inorganic chemical balance. Contains live chemoheterotrophic bacteria. Prevents biofouling. Immediately removes nitrogenous waste (Ammonia, Nitrite and helps remove Nitrate).
Rapid Cycling of Organic Compounds in the Newly Established Aquarium:
In the beginning of a newly established aquarium, waste products can quickly build up to toxic levels. Introducing fish, plants, and food to your aquarium begins a natural process called Biochemical Cycling which is exemplified by the nitrogen cycle.
The process begins when fish and invertebrates excrete waste which is added to the ammonia produced by decaying food and organic compounds. The more sources of fish waste, the quicker and greater the ammonia problem.
Harmful ammonia and nitrite are constantly converted into less harmful nitrates, which in turn is used by plants and algae for food. An aquarium is full of both autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria that want nothing more than to attach, grow, and form BIOFILMS where the bacteria convert toxic nitrogenous compounds and ammonia into harmless products.
Nature provides many types of bacteria that in the presence of oxygen carry out the oxidation of ammonia to nitrites and eventually to nitrates in a process known as nitrification. First, bacteria settle on aragonite (reef sand) where they grow into colonies and eventually form a BIOFILM. Marine nitrifying bacteria in the biofilm oxidize ammonia to nitrite. Then other bacterial species further oxidize nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate not utilized by plants is removed by other bacteria in the absence of oxygen (the anaerobic environment found in the lower levels of the sediment) in a process called denitrification. These bacteria are not harmful and are quite abundant in nature. However, three conditions are required for this process to occur:
1. A surface upon which bacteria can attach, grow, and form BIOFILM 2. Ammonia as the substrate to start the process. 3. An aerobic environment.
When you start a new aquarium with dry sand or gravel, colonies or beneficial bacteria have not yet had the chance to attach to a surface and grow. For a period of several weeks this presents a very hazardous environment for your fish. One has to gradually build up the source of ammonia (i.e., start with only one or two small fish) to allow time for the beneficial bacteria to grow and form a BIOFILM.
Now with Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand, there is no waiting period or delay while waiting for bacteria to establish themselves. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria required for rapid cycling of the aquarium are already in their natural state - a BIOFILM on the sand particles. Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand is fortified with a patented enrichment solution, QX-23, which keeps the bacteria alive, primed and ready to cycle harmful metabolic endproducts the moment it is added to your aquarium. Each pound of Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand contains more than 200 million live bacteria in naturally-formed biofilms ready to biochemically cycle your aquarium and rapidly provide a healthy environment.
Contains live marine bacteria to quickly stabilize your tank. Immediately removes nitrogenous waste (Ammonia, Nitrite and helps remove Nitrate). Restores natural organic balance. Contains more than 10,000,000 Heterotrophic bacteria per pound. This product is natural not artificial, prevents bio-fouling. Contains live marine Autotrophic bacteria to provide a proper inorganic balance. Contains live Chemolithotrophic bacteria.
All Bacteria are preserved in their natural live state using a patented process and a patented salt water enrichment solution QX-23.
Beneficial Characteristics of Aragonite: Reduces harmful nitrate. Maintains proper pH. Provide enhanced buffering capacity. Provides essential inorganic elements such as strontium, cobalt, zinc and Molybdenum. Approximately 1.0 2.5mm diameter grain size (Ideal for reef system tank bottoms). Essential Trace Elements Provided by Bio-Activ Live Aragonite. Zinc Sulphate, Calcium Chloride, Manganese Chloride, Cobalt Chloride, Copper Sulphate, Sodium Molybdate, Strontium Chloride, Nickel Chloride, Potassium Bromide, Sodium Silicate.
For Best Results Use as Follows: Use a minimum of 1 pound of Bio-Activ Live Aragonite per gallon of salt water. Setup filtering system and allow it to circulate. During the first month, introduce no more than 1 inch of fish per 5 gallon of salt water.
PRESS RELEASE - June 1, 2002
United States Patent Awarded To Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand For An Instant Cycling Live Sand Product
Benefits of Natures Oceans PATENTED Bio-Activ Live Aragonite:
Only Natures Ocean Offers Live Aragonite Packaged According To The Patented Method. No Waiting... Just Add Fish!
The success of this product has been established by the fact that millions of pounds of Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand have been sold to professional and amateur marine aquarists around the world. Many unsolicited testimonials have proved that Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand initiates cycling of the aquarium instantly and allows the same day addition of live rock, corals and fish.
Copyright 1999
U.S. Patent # 6,376,229
Other Patents Pending.
United States Patent No. 6,376,229 issued on April 23, 2002 for a new method of preserving marine bacteria. Using the patented method Natures Ocean harvests and packages live sand with an optimal amount of water and air in retail packaging specifically dimensioned and configured for maintaining ammonia oxidizing bacteria in a state wherein the bacteria are capable of metabolic and physiologic activity in excess of twelve months at room temperature. When introduced into an aquarium Natures Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand instantly begins the cycling process which provides an optimal environment for marine life.
Contains natural live marine bacterial biofilm (not a synthetic biofilm as used by others). Provides instant biochemical cycling of an aquarium upon introduction. Natural undisturbed grain sizes as found in the ocean which provides an optimal environment for marine bacteria (separated grades are artificially processed and cannot generate a healthy marine environment for many weeks). Patented QX-23 solution for maintaining metabolic and physiologic activity of ammonia oxidizing marine bacteria in retail packaging. Superior to cultured live sand products
This product has a shelf life of 12 months.