MicroBacter QuikCycl - 60 ml

Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter QuikCycl is a concentrated ammonia-based nutrient solution designed for controlled fishless cycling in new freshwater and marine aquariums. It supplies the ammonia needed to establish and strengthen colonies of nitrifying bacteria before fish, plants, corals, or other invertebrates are introduced.

QuikCycl does not contain the complete bacterial culture needed to cycle an aquarium and will not establish biological filtration when used alone. It must be paired with an appropriate live nitrifying bacteria product, such as MicroBacter Start XLM for marine aquariums or MicroBacter Start XLF for freshwater aquariums.

The initial dose is intended to produce a total ammonia concentration of approximately 1–2 ppm. As the bacterial population develops, it converts ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. The aquarium is considered cycled only after testing confirms that ammonia and nitrite have reached zero and nitrate is detectable.

MicroBacter QuikCycl contains ammonia and must never be used in an aquarium containing live fish, plants, corals, or other invertebrates. Accurate ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH testing is required throughout the cycling process.

• Provides a controlled ammonia source for fishless aquarium cycling
• Supports the establishment of a strong nitrifying bacteria population
• Suitable for new freshwater and marine aquariums
• Allows biological filtration to develop without exposing livestock to ammonia
• Concentrated formula provides precise dosing
• Designed for use with a live nitrifying bacterial culture
• Pairs with MicroBacter Start XLM for marine aquariums
• Pairs with MicroBacter Start XLF for freshwater aquariums
• Supports measurable cycling through ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate testing
• Helps prepare a new biological filter before livestock is introduced

IMPORTANT: Read all instructions before beginning.

MicroBacter QuikCycl is intended only for fishless cycling. Never use it in an aquarium containing live fish, plants, corals, or other invertebrates.

Required Equipment and Products

• MicroBacter QuikCycl
• A compatible live bacterial culture
• Reliable ammonia test kit
• Reliable nitrite test kit
• Reliable nitrate test kit
• Reliable pH test kit
• Dechlorinator when using water containing chlorine or chloramine
• Adequate biological filtration media and surface area

Day 1

1. Confirm that the aquarium contains no livestock or plants.

2. Dechlorinate the water completely. Chlorine and chloramine can damage or kill the live nitrifying bacteria required for cycling.

3. Prepare the aquarium water and adjust temperature, pH, and alkalinity to the appropriate ranges for the planned aquarium.

4. Confirm that the aquarium contains sufficient biological filtration media and surface area for bacterial colonization.

5. Turn off the protein skimmer and UV sterilizer. Remove fine mechanical filtration such as filter socks.

6. Do not use activated carbon, GFO, phosphate removers, filter resins, or other chemical filtration during cycling.

7. Add MicroBacter QuikCycl at:

• 4 drops per US gallon of aquarium capacity
or
• 1 mL per 5 US gallons of aquarium capacity

8. Test total ammonia. The target after the initial dose is approximately 1–2 ppm total ammonia, including ammonia and ammonium.

9. Do not repeatedly add QuikCycl in an attempt to force the test result higher. The newly introduced bacteria may begin consuming ammonia quickly.

10. Add the appropriate live bacterial culture according to its directions. Brightwell recommends MicroBacter Start XLM for marine aquariums or MicroBacter Start XLF for freshwater aquariums.

Testing Schedule

Day 2: Test and record pH, ammonia, and nitrite.

Day 3: Test and record pH, ammonia, and nitrite.

Day 4: Test pH, ammonia, and nitrite. If ammonia or nitrite is above 0.25 ppm, additional bacterial culture may be added if desired.

Day 5: Test and record pH, ammonia, and nitrite.

Day 6: Test pH, ammonia, and nitrite. If ammonia or nitrite is above 0.25 ppm, additional bacterial culture may be added if desired.

Day 7: Test pH, ammonia, and nitrite. When using MicroBacter Start XLM or XLF, test nitrate if both ammonia and nitrite read zero. The aquarium is considered cycled when ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate measures at least 0.25 ppm.

Day 8: If the cycle is incomplete, continue testing and recording pH, ammonia, and nitrite.

Day 9 and After: Continue testing. Once ammonia plus nitrite reads zero and nitrate is detectable at 0.25 ppm or higher, the aquarium is considered cycled.

After Cycling

Perform a 25% water change. Restart the protein skimmer, UV sterilizer, and mechanical filtration. Add hardy livestock slowly and continue monitoring water quality.

Do not use activated carbon, GFO, or other phosphate-removing media until cycling is complete and an additional 30 days have passed.

Contains ammonia as a nutrient source for establishing nitrifying bacteria during fishless cycling.

The manufacturer does not publish a complete ingredient list or ammonia concentration.

Brand: Brightwell Aquatics
Product: MicroBacter QuikCycl
SKU: BACQC60
Product Type: Fishless cycling ammonia nutrient
Volume: 60 mL (2 fl oz)
Aquarium Type: Freshwater and marine
Application: New aquariums without livestock
Initial Dose: 4 drops per gallon or 1 mL per 5 gallons
Target Total Ammonia: 1–2 ppm
Required Companion Product: Live nitrifying bacterial culture
Required Testing: pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
Contains Ammonia: Yes
Safe for Occupied Aquariums: No
Country of Manufacture: USA

• One 60 mL bottle of Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter QuikCycl

WARNING: Contains ammonia.

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Not for human consumption.
• If swallowed, contact a poison control center immediately.
• Use only for fishless cycling.
• Never add to an aquarium containing live fish, plants, corals, or other invertebrates.
• Never overdose.
• Do not add livestock until testing confirms that the aquarium is completely cycled.
• Keep the container securely closed when not in use.
• Store upright in a secure location.
• Use reliable ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH tests throughout the cycling process.
• Do not mix with household ammonia or substitute household cleaning products.
• Wash hands after handling.

Ammonia Does Not Reach 1–2 ppm

Do not immediately add more QuikCycl. Live bacteria may already be consuming the ammonia, preventing the full amount from appearing on the test. Continue following the manufacturer’s testing schedule.

Ammonia Remains High

Confirm that an active live nitrifying bacterial culture was added. QuikCycl supplies nutrients but does not cycle the aquarium by itself. Chlorine, chloramine, extreme temperatures, expired bacteria, or improper bacterial storage can also prevent the cycle from progressing.

Nitrite Remains High

The bacteria responsible for converting nitrite into nitrate may still be developing. Continue testing and allow additional time. If nitrite remains above 0.25 ppm on the specified testing days, additional bacterial culture may be added according to its instructions.

No Nitrate Is Detected

The aquarium is not considered fully cycled until ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate is detectable at 0.25 ppm or higher. Continue testing and confirm that the live bacterial culture remains viable.

The Cycle Is Taking Longer Than Expected

Check for chlorine or chloramine, insufficient biological filtration surface area, inactive bacterial culture, low or unstable pH, unsuitable temperature, or use of carbon, GFO, phosphate removers, UV sterilization, protein skimming, or fine filtration during cycling.

QuikCycl Was Accidentally Overdosed

Do not add livestock. Test ammonia immediately. Excess ammonia can inhibit or damage the developing bacteria and extend the cycling period. Perform an appropriate partial water change if necessary and continue testing before adding more products.

QuikCycl Was Added to an Occupied Aquarium

The product is not intended for aquariums containing livestock. Test ammonia immediately and take emergency steps to protect the animals, including appropriate water changes and ammonia-control measures. Contact an experienced aquatic professional if needed.

The Aquarium Appears Cycled but Ammonia or Nitrite Is Still Detectable

The cycle is not complete. Do not add livestock until both ammonia and nitrite test at zero and nitrate is detectable.

Q: What does MicroBacter QuikCycl do?
A: It supplies ammonia and related nutrients that feed nitrifying bacteria during fishless cycling in a new aquarium.

Q: Does QuikCycl contain beneficial bacteria?
A: No. It provides nutrients for bacteria but must be used with a separate live nitrifying bacterial culture.

Q: Which bacterial product should I use with QuikCycl?
A: Brightwell recommends MicroBacter Start XLM for marine aquariums and MicroBacter Start XLF for freshwater aquariums.

Q: Can QuikCycl be used with fish in the aquarium?
A: No. It is strictly for fishless cycling and must never be added to an aquarium containing fish, plants, corals, or other invertebrates.

Q: How much QuikCycl should I add?
A: The initial manufacturer-supported dose is four drops per gallon or 1 mL per five gallons of aquarium capacity.

Q: What ammonia level should the initial dose produce?
A: The target is approximately 1–2 ppm total ammonia, including ammonia and ammonium.

Q: Should I add more if the ammonia test reads lower than expected?
A: Not automatically. The bacterial culture may already be consuming ammonia. Brightwell specifically warns against repeatedly adding more product to chase the test reading.

Q: How do I know when the aquarium is cycled?
A: Ammonia and nitrite must both read zero, while nitrate must be detectable at 0.25 ppm or higher.

Q: What tests are required?
A: You need reliable tests for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

Q: Can I run my protein skimmer or UV sterilizer during cycling?
A: Brightwell instructs users to turn off the skimmer and UV sterilizer during the cycling process.

Q: Can I use activated carbon or GFO while cycling?
A: No. Brightwell states not to use carbon, GFO, phosphate removers, or similar chemical filtration until cycling is complete and another 30 days have passed.

Q: What should I do after the cycle is complete?
A: Perform a 25% water change, restart the filtration equipment, and add hardy livestock slowly while continuing to monitor water quality.