Arag-Alive achieves rapid cycling by preparing and seeding the substrate grain surfaces with a wide variety of marine bacteria, most in a spored state, including strains engineered for maximum waste reduction capacity. Some types of bacteria reduce nitrogenous waste by metabolic oxidation while others incorporate nitrogen into bacterial biomass during rapid growth. Since most species of bacteria are somewhat symbiotic, and tend to colonize a surface in succession, the process of cycling an aquarium is facilitated by the close proximity of the immobilized species. Bacteria are maintained at a low metabolic rate by restricting access to certain limiting factors required for metabolism. The Eco-Complete freshwater products work in the same way, just with freshwater bacteria.

This oolitic sand is ideal for shallower beds, allowing denitrification in as little as 1" depth. The most friendly to bottom dwelling creatures; its fine grain size can pass easily through the gills of gobys and other sand sifting organisms. Also an excellent choice for the cultivation of seagrasses (true plants) such as Thallasia species. Gentle to sharks and rays. Grain size 0.1 - 1.0 mm.