Brightwell Aquatics Reef Supplements

28 Brightwell Aquatics supplements — bacteria, two-part, amino acids, coral foods, nutrient dosing and tank cycling products

Brightwell Aquatics makes the additive line most reef keepers end up standardising on, and this is the range we keep in stock and ship daily. Bacteria and cycling products including MicroBacter7, MicroBacter CLEAN and QuickCycl. Two-part maintenance with Reef Code A and B. Coral nutrition through CoralAmino, Coral Inertia NRG+ and Polyp Ignite. Nutrient management with NeoNitro, NeoPhos and Phosphat-E. Plus FragRecover, Lugol's, Chaeto Gro and Reef BioFuel. If you are not sure which product does what, the guide below groups the whole range by the job it does.

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Brightwell Aquatics Supplements

Brightwell Aquatics supplements — bacteria, two-part, amino acids, coral foods, nutrient dosing and tank cycling products

Watch with chapters, transcript & related products

Top picks

Brightwell Aquatics Top Picks

Compare the strongest options in this collection at a glance.

Best overall

MicroBacter7 - Complete Bioculture - Brightwell Aquatics

Starting at $11.65

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MicroBacter Start XLM - Brightwell Aquatics

Starting at $16.95

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NeoNitro Reef Aquarium Nitrogen Supplement - Brightwell Aquatics

Starting at $13.77

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Phosphat-E - 250ml - Brightwell Aquatics

Phosphat-E Liquid Phosphate Remover - Brightwell Aquatics

Starting at $29.67

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Answers

Brightwell Aquatics Supplements FAQs

Should I use Reef Code A & B or Kalk+2 for calcium and alkalinity?

Reef Code A & B is a straightforward two-part system, great for small to medium tanks or anyone wanting precise manual or pump-driven dosing. Kalk+2 (kalkwasser) is often used in medium to large systems to maintain calcium and alkalinity through your top-off water, helping buffer additive costs and reduce dosing frequency. Some advanced reefers even combine both approaches for optimal stability.

What’s the difference between MicroBacter7, Start XLM, Purple M, and QuickCycl?

- MicroBacter7: Broad-spectrum bacteria for nutrient control and biological stability.

- Start XLM: Concentrated nitrifying bacteria for quickly establishing biological filtration.

- Purple M: Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), which support nutrient cycling and water clarity — not directly for coralline algae growth.

- QuickCycl: A bottled ammonia source used to feed bacteria during fishless cycling.

How should I safely reduce or increase nutrients in my reef tank?

Use Phosphat-E to lower phosphate and Reef BioFuel as a carbon source for bacteria-driven nutrient export. If your system runs ultra-low nutrients (which can cause pale corals), use NeoNitro (nitrate) or NeoPhos (phosphate) to gently raise levels. Always test before and after dosing — abrupt changes can stress corals and disrupt balance.

How do I use coral foods and supplements like Coral Amino, AminOmega, and Polyplab Ignite?

Start with 1–2 feedings per week, especially in low-nutrient systems, and observe coral response. Watch for improved polyp extension, coloration, and tissue growth. Overfeeding can lead to film algae or bacterial blooms, so increase gradually and maintain strong filtration.

What’s the correct way to use FragRecover Coral Dip?

Mix the dip according to label instructions (typically with tank water), submerge frags for 5–10 minutes, and gently swish to dislodge pests and eggs. Always rinse frags in clean saltwater before placing them back in your system. This helps reduce the risk of introducing parasites or hitchhikers to your tank.

Dive deeper

Dive Deeper: Brightwell Aquatics Supplements

Brightwell's catalogue is large, and the products are easy to confuse. Grouping them by job is the fastest way to work out what your tank actually needs.

Bacteria and Cycling

MicroBacter7 — the general-purpose bacterial supplement for cycling a new tank and maintaining biological filtration afterwards. Dosed regularly it also helps outcompete nuisance algae for nutrients.
MicroBacter CLEAN — targeted at detritus and organic buildup in sand beds and rockwork.
QuickCycl — accelerated cycling for new systems.
Start XLM — live nitrifying bacteria for immediate ammonia and nitrite processing.

Two-Part and Major Elements

Reef Code A and B — the calcium and alkalinity pair for balanced ionic maintenance. Dose on separate schedules, never simultaneously into the same location.
Purple M — magnesium supplementation, which most tanks need less often than calcium and alkalinity but need consistently.

Coral Nutrition

CoralAmino — amino acid supplement for coloration and tissue growth.
Coral Inertia NRG+ — energy and nutrient supplement for SPS and LPS.
Polyp Ignite — feeding response stimulant, useful for corals slow to extend.
FragRecover — for newly cut or shipped frags during the recovery window.

Nutrient Management

NeoNitro and NeoPhos — for tanks that have driven nitrate or phosphate too low. Ultra-low-nutrient systems starve corals; these bring the floor back up in a controlled way.
Phosphat-E — liquid lanthanum-based phosphate reduction for the opposite problem.
Reef BioFuel — carbon dosing for bacterial nutrient export.

Refugium and Treatment

Chaeto Gro — iron and trace supplementation for macroalgae growth.
Restor — for re-establishing trace elements after a large water change or a system reset.
Lugol's — iodine supplementation and coral dips.
AngeLixir and AminOmega — targeted nutrition for angelfish and general fish conditioning.

Dosing Advice

Test before you dose anything. Every product above changes a parameter, and adding elements you already have in surplus is how tanks get unstable.
Start at half the recommended dose. Brightwell's directions assume a heavily stocked reef; most tanks need less.
Change one thing at a time, and give it a week before you judge the result.