Good Bacteria for Aquariums – A Comprehensive Guide for Aquarium Health

Did you know that fish are the most common (and loved) pets in the world after dogs and cats?

According to a recent survey, the number of households bringing home a fish tank tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Free time, loneliness or just a hobby trend – who knows what caused this but no one's complaining. 

Aquariums are a common sight in homes all over the world. From the modest carps to the most vibrant tetras, fish tanks bring happiness to people.

While it is a very rewarding hobby, most people don't do it right. As a result, dirty, overgrown tanks are as common as aquariums themselves.

Does this sound familiar to you, or did you just realise that you are moving towards a similar situation? 

Read on to find out the simple preventive measures you can take not to let a dirty aquarium and dying fish become your concern. EVER. Read on. 

Things you should avoid if you want a sparking and colourful aquarium

Let's make one thing clear. Taking care of an aquarium and its colourful residents is no rocket science.

But as they, the devil is in the details; in this case, it is in the supplements you add. Next are the top 3 aquarium problems and how you can use bacteria for aquariums to overcome them.

• Foul smell from aquarium – 

Smelly cat might be a hit (people who love F.R.I.E.N.D.S, hit the like button!), but it doesn't mean your fish need to live in smelly aquariums! This is one of the most common issues even seasoned aquarium enthusiasts face.

Let's say you have a school of tetra living in your tank. Every day, they eat and release themselves in the same water.

While fish waste is decomposed by the good bacteria in the aquarium naturally, sometimes the amount of waste is overwhelming, and there are not enough bacteria in the water to deal with it all.

As this toxic (mostly nitrogenous) waste keeps piling up, it causes a foul smell.

A super easy remedy is to add products that contain these good bacteria for aquariums. 

• Fish and plants are dying – 

You'll be surprised to know how many fish enthusiasts face this problem. It doesn't matter if you got your fish and aquatic from the best breeder in town; if something's not right with the aquarium water, they will not grow and prosper as well as you want them to be.

Some of the common reasons include – too small or too big an aquarium, not taking time to test the nitrate concentration in the water, buying the wrong filtration system, overfeeding your fish (yes, you read right!), etc. 

Pro tip: Understand the process of 'aquarium cycling' well. Start with a small batch of fish, feed them sparsely, and monitor the test quality by regularly testing for ammonia and nitrate. Another great way to speed up this cycling is to inoculate the aquarium with live nitrifying bacteria for aquariums.

• Cloudy or green water –

Remember the tank from Finding Nemo when all the aquarium fish made the water super filthy as part of their grand escape plan?

Well, let's hope your fish don't have to do this ever. Cloudy water is caused by excessive ammonia and sludge that collects in the tanks.

Green water is caused by the algae that grow out of control when there are too many nitrogenous wastes (dead plants, fish waste etc.). 

Invest in a good filtration system and change the cartridges every month to ensure there is no debris floating.

If you want an au naturel remedy, add some good bacteria for aquariums. 

By now, the article should convince you that bacteria can be good for your fish and your fish tank.

So, now let's talk about how to choose the correct product for inoculation.

What makes a bacterial supplement effective?

When in the right amount and form, good bacteria for aquariums can do a world of good for aquarium and fish health.

Here are some things you should look for in a product before making a choice. 

1. The product must contain an optimum concentration of viable bacteria. Anything less, and the product won't be as effective. 
2. It should be safe for use in all freshwater aquarium setups. 
3. It should be able to activate quickly.
4. There should be clear dosage instructions. Eyeballing the quantities won't help.
5. It should be easy to apply. The whole point of adding supplements like these is to make the process of aquarium maintenance less tedious. 
6. The product should have a long shelf life. It makes your life much simpler. 

Powder-based or liquid bacteria for aquariums? What should you choose?

Powder-based. All the way. Here are some convincing reasons why.

1. High concentration of bacteria - Powder-based products have some of the highest concentrations of viable bacteria. 
2. Quick activation - Powder formulations activate as soon as they come in contact with water. Most liquid formulations take considerably longer to form effective nitrification systems. 
3. Easy application - Powder formulations are very easy to apply, making them the smarter choice. Just add the prescribed quantity, and you are sorted. 
4. Easy storage – Because they are powder-based, they are more compact and can be stored without much hassle. Just ensure they do not come in contact with water. 
5. Longer shelf life – For the same reasons as above, powder-based bacterial supplements last longer than liquid ones. Not only are they more effective, but they also last longer. A total win-win situation, isn't it?

Summing up

So, before you decide to get a fish, almost impulsively, make sure you know everything about how to keep your fish and their home healthy and happy!

Let's make your journey of being a fish parent a happy one.

Buy our exclusive range of aquarium powder-based conditioners enriched with all the goodness of bacteria for aquariums. 

Happy fish-parenting!