FAQs about Crystal's Beneficial Bacteria

How do I choose the right product from the Crystal series? What are the differences in application?

Is there a specific order when adding beneficial bacteria? Why is dechlorination necessary before use?

How many fish can my aquarium support? How much bacteria should I dose?

A simple guideline:

About 1 cm of fish per 1–1.5 litres of water.

More fish = more waste = more bacteria needed.

For dosing:

  • New tank: use a higher “startup dose” (2–5× normal)
  • Normal use: follow tank volume
  • Heavy stocking or feeding: increase frequency or dose slightly

The key idea: match bacteria to the waste load, not just the tank size.

Why does the water become cloudy after adding bacteria? What should I do?

Common causes:

  1. Rapid bacterial growth (normal)
  2. Breakdown of organic matter
    increasing suspended particles
  3. System not yet stabilised

What to do:

  • Maintain aeration
  • Reduce or pause feeding
  • Avoid frequent water changes

Usually clears within 1–3 days.

If I have recently cleaned my tank or filter media, which bacteria product should I use?

Cleaning filter media can:

  • Remove nitrifying bacteria
  • Disrupt biological filtration

Recommendation:

  • Use Crystal Tank Starter bacteria
  • Increase dosage for the first 3–5 days
  • Reduce feeding temporarily

Essentially, this is similar to restarting a tank cycle.

How can bacteria survive for a long time in a sealed bottle? Don’t they starve?

Microorganisms have survival mechanisms:

  • Enter low-metabolism (dormant)
    states under nutrient limitation
  • Some form spores or resistance structures
  • Crystal products include food for them

Conclusion: They are not actively growing — they are in a low-energy survival state.

What is the optimal temperature range for using the bacteria? Do they still work at low temperatures?

Optimal temperature:

  • 20–30°C (highest activity)

At low temperatures:

  • <15°C: Activity significantly slows
  • <10°C: Bacteria become largely dormant

Important note: Bacteria are still alive, but performance is slower.

If I add salt to my aquarium, can I still use freshwater bacteria? How do I distinguish between freshwater and marine products?

The key factor is salinity level:

  • Freshwater: <10 ppt → use freshwater bacteria
  • Marine: >15 ppt → must use marine bacteria

General rule:

  • Low salt (e.g. for treatment): freshwater bacteria usually still work
  • High salinity: freshwater bacteria may be inhibited or die

My ammonia and nitrite levels are very high. Why doesn’t adding bacteria immediately bring them down to safe levels?

Key reason: Biological systems take time to establish.

  • Nitrifying bacteria grow slowly
  • They need to attach to surface (biofilm formation)
  • The nitrogen cycle is sequential:

Ammonia → Nitrite → Nitrate

Limiting factors:

  • Low dissolved oxygen
  • Low temperature
  • Improper pH
  • Presence of toxins (e.g. chlorine)

Conclusion: Bacteria accelerate system establishment, but they are not an instant chemical fix.

Batch Variation Notice: This product contains multiple live bacterial strains. As a biological system, minor natural variations between batches may occur.

Slight differences in color or appearance are normal and do not affect product quality, stability, or performance.

Customer Technical support: Connect with our approachable support team for specialised assistance. info@bbabio.com.au