I remember sitting in disbelief and amazement as my elementary science teacher dove into the topic of healthy, or good, bacteria. Up until this point, I’d assumed all bacteria was bad. After suffering a serious bout of strep throat, the notion that our bodies rely on specific bacteria to remain healthy was ludicrous!
But, as we all know, nature doesn’t always make sense. As a reefer, we’re faced with this reality time and time again. Cultivating a healthy and thriving reef tank means diving into the microcosm of the wild and replicating its myriad of organics. From establishing proper water nutrient levels to mirroring the spectrum of light offered by the sun, sustaining a vibrant reef tank is, essentially, capturing the various elements of nature and manipulating each one in perfect harmony .
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
While there are many elements that must work together, today I want to zoom into the smallest of these: aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
As you establish a reef tank, the role of these microscopic organisms is paramount. In fact, without supporting healthy bacteria growth it’s almost impossible to sustain healthy water parameters and effective filtration. Like many other elements of a reef tank, there are several ways to introduce bacteria into your tank. Live sand, for example, is a popular method. However, much like adding a live rock into your ecosystem, this methodology isn’t without risk. Most notably is introducing competing bacteria, which can prove problematic.
This is where biomedia filtration comes into play. In essence, this filtration media offers precise aerobic and anaerobic bacteria colonization to assist in dissolving organics maintaining proper water parameters, such as phosphate.
In the experience shared by aquarists around the world, not all biomedia is created equal. Because of the purpose and potential of biomedia filtration mediums, quality and purity is extremely important. While there are several adequate options, few offer the precision, quality and versatility as Brightwell Aquatics XPort BIO Brick.
So, what makes this biomedia an appealing option? Let’s take a journey into the microscopic landscape and explore the reasons why XPort BIO is a solid choice for any reef aquarium.
Efficiency, Versatility and Value - XPort BIO Brick Overview.
Essentially, the XPort BIO Brick is perhaps the easiest way to colonize your reef tank with beneficial filtration bacteria. What I really enjoy about this product is its efficiency.
As an aquarist, you understand the amount of work this hobby requires. So, you can share in my excitement whenever a product comes along and streamlines any required task. Rather than dive deep into the various intricacies of this product, I want to delve into my favorite features. Afterwards, you’ll have a solid understanding as to why this biomedia is quickly becoming a favorite among novice and experienced aquarists.
To start, we have to discuss its usable surface area. When compared to other filtration media, the XPort BIO Brick offers the most usable surface area and largest porosity out of basically any other product. The official rating is 100,000 square feet of bacteria colonization surface area with only a single brick. This breaks down to 71,000 square feet for each liter of medium. If you aren’t sure what this means, just know this is amazing.
Basically, one brick is capable of hosting an entire army of healthy bacteria throughout your tank. The brick rests in the sump and eliminates toxic compounds, such as nitrites, ammonia and phosphates. What I really appreciate about this biomedia is how it can be used as your only filtration media. However, you can also use it in addition to your already established filtration media.
Another noteworthy feature is its material. Unlike other similar products, which can either directly or indirectly increase water acidity. Ultimately, this can kill bacteria and reduce the efficiency of the media. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with XPort BIO Brick as it’s made with aragonite, which safeguards water pH balance.
XPort BIO Brick Review - Final Thoughts.
Ultimately, the XPort BIO Brick is perhaps the easiest way to establish healthy bacterial colonies throughout your tank. Since a single brick can treat up to 1,000 gallons of water, the majority of consumer reef tanks will only need one brick. Before use, make sure to thoroughly rinse the brick with purified or aquarium water. You can also seed the brick with additional products, such as the MicroBacter7.
Since the bacteria within this product limit their growth based on your tank environment, you don’t have to worry about adding too much to your tank. I recommend using an entire brick for tanks as small as 50 gallons. If your tank is smaller than this, I would recommend using the XPort Bio Cubes rather than the brick.
While this is only a small overview of what the XPort BIO Brick can accomplish, it’s easy to see how it’s capable of sustaining healthy bacteria levels and filtration throughout your entire tank. If you’re searching for an easy and effective biomedia, you should definitely check out this capable product. If your experience is like so many others, you’ll be glad you did!
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.