Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any question below for more information. If you don't see your question below, or haven't found the information you want anywhere on our site, please contact us -- we're here to help.
1. Do I need to change the aquarium water before I first apply AquaBella?
We do not recommend changing the water before first applying AquaBella in an already-established aquarium -- unless you are having significant water quality problems, such as algae (see questions 11 and 12, below). However, we do recommend you rinse out or replace your filters before applying AquaBella for the first time.
2. Can AquaBella be used with protein skimmers?
We suggest not using a protein skimmer for at least one week after AquaBella is first applied to allow the microbes to get established. We have had a major aquarium store that has not needed to use their protein skimmer for over a year since they started using AquaBella. In fact, one of the primary benefits of AquaBella is its ability to remove proteins and other organic waste from the water. However, as with all aquarium maintenance procedures, we suggest that the owner not significantly alter their routine.
3. What if I forget to add one of the syringes of AquaBella on time, or add the syringes out of order?
The AquaBella application system is very adaptable as long as all of the syringes in the application system are added to your water. Adding the syringes out of order, or adding a syringe a day or two late, will not change AquaBella's effectiveness.
4. Can I leave my fish in the tank when I add AquaBella?
Yes, if you are adding AquaBella to an already-established aquarium, your fish can safely remain in the tank. However, we do recommend rinsing or changing your filters before the first AquaBella application into an already-established aquarium.
5. Is there anything I should do before using AquaBella to an already-established tank for the first time?
Yes, we recommend you either change or rinse out your filters before using AquaBella for the first time. This is because many of AquaBella's microbes will colonize on and clean the tank water from the filtration system. Rinsing the filtration system will allow the AquaBella microbes to attach and start cleaning your tank's water more quickly. (If you begin to have water quality issues a few months after first using AquaBella, particularly after cleaning or changing your filters, we recommend using the AquaBella booster kit.)
6. Can I use AquaBella with corals?
Yes, AquaBella is safe to use with corals. AquaBella customers have seen their aquarium corals thrive, with vibrant color production.
7. Does AquaBella work in both fresh water and salt water aquariums?
Yes. In fact we have AquaBella systems that are specifically formulated for both fresh and salt water aquariums.
8. Can I add chlorinated tap water to my tank once I have used AquaBella?
You will still need to treat the tap water before adding it to your aquarium. AquaBella is not a water dechlorinator.
9. Can AquaBella help prevent Ammonia accumulation?
Yes, AquaBella contains nitrifying bacteria that chemically convert ammonia into nitrate. Note that AquaBella will also remove the nitrate. (See question 10.)
10. Can AquaBella help prevent Nitrate and Nitrite accumulation?
Yes, AquaBella contains denitrifying bacteria that chemically convert nitrates and nitrites to nitrogen gas, which will then be released into the air.
11. Will AquaBella help keep my aquarium water clear and prevent Phosphate accumulation?
Yes, AquaBella's microbes will metabolize organic solids and phosphates that are contained in fish waste and leftover fish food, keeping your aquarium water crystal-clear.
12. Can AquaBella help with Cyanobacteria (including blue-green algae and red slime algae)?
Blue-green and red slime algae are not true algae, but two examples of a group of bacteria called cyanobacteria, which can be a number of colors (e.g. red, brown, blue-green, yellow). These bacteria tend to be found in fish tanks with low nitrate and ammonia levels, high phosphate levels and often with high organic carbon levels (fish waste and uneaten fish food are a major source of both phosphates and organic carbon).
If your aquarium has an algae problem, we recommend first cleaning the tank and removing as much of the algae as possible prior to using AquaBella. Once the tank is cleaned, AquaBella is effective at removing phosphates and organic waste products from the water, which should significantly help to prevent further cyanobacteria problems.
13. The Ammonia, Nitrate and/or Phosphate levels in my aquarium increased immediately after the first AquaBella application. What should I do?
Unless the contaminant levels are high enough to be of concern, we don't recommend taking any action as this issue is usually temporary. If the problem persists for more than one week, call us at 1-888-285-7665 for additional assistance.
Occasionally owners of already-established aquariums have seen their ammonia, nitrate or phosphate levels increase shortly (usually less than a week) after the first AquaBella application. When AquaBella microbes are first introduced into an aquarium, they begin to break down fish waste products that have accumulated on the aquarium's filter(s) or in other parts of the tank. This can temporarily result in some of the fish waste breakdown products being released into the aquarium water until AquaBella's microbes have fully settled into your system.
14. Can AquaBella prevent the buildup of inorganic materials, such as minerals and/or salts, that a regular water change would alleviate?
AquaBella cannot prevent mineral or salt buildup by directly removing inorganic material such as salts and minerals from water. In fact, this sort of activity would be harmful, particularly in salt water, since by removing minerals and salts from the water you're changing the salinity, and fish have a fairly narrow range of salinities in which they can exist. You will still need to periodically add water to your tank to prevent salt accumulation due to water evaporation.
Another factor that can result in salt accumulation is the buildup of organic matter from fish waste in the water. The organic materials from fish waste create a surface that salts can -- and will -- attach to, resulting in salt buildup. Removal of organic matter is one of AquaBella's most important functions, so AquaBella can help keep salt levels stable by preventing organic matter accumulation.
Temperature and pH fluctuations can also contribute to salt accumulation. While AquaBella obviously cannot alter water temperature, it can mitigate salt accumulation by minimizing pH fluctuations through the rapid removal of fish waste and other waste material that would otherwise alter the water pH.
15. Can AquaBella be used with pH buffers?
AquaBella will neither interfere with pH buffers nor significantly alter the pH of the water. Additionally, pH buffers will not interfere with AquaBella. If the pH of the water needs to be altered or maintained using pH buffers, the aquarium owner can do this as necessary while using AquaBella.
It may become less necessary over time to use pH buffers, as AquaBella will facilitate the removal of several contaminants that can lead to pH changes. However, there is one major pH-related event that AquaBella cannot prevent: the daytime vs. nighttime pH shifts seen in aquariums containing living plants. AquaBella will not harm living plants and does not affect the natural pH cycling resulting from plant CO2 cycling.
16. Will AquaBella interfere with my aquarium's GH (general hardness, which is used to measure calcium and magnesium)?
AquaBella will not significantly alter (increase or decrease) calcium or magnesium. Again, keep in mind that AquaBella cannot prevent water evaporation, so if calcium or magnesium levels fluctuate due to evaporation, water will still need to be added as necessary.
17. Will AquaBella affect the KH (hardness or alkalinity) of my aquarium water?
No, AquaBella will not alter or affect the KH of your aquarium water.
19. Is AquaBella organic?
AquaBella is made from 100% organic ingredients.
19. What is AquaBella made of?
AquaBella is a dynamic blend of over 100 species of non-pathogenic naturally occuring (non-GMO) microbes. This large variety of microbes enables AquaBella to be highly effective at removing and preventing the accumulation of several different contaminants such as ammonia, nitrates, organic matter, phosphates and algae in both fresh and salt water environments.
20. Does it matter how big my tank is?
AquaBella can be used on any size aquarium. We sell products for different tank sizes and water types: fresh water up to a 55-gallon tank and salt water up to a 125-gallon tank. Complete details.
21. How often do I need to add AquaBella to my aquarium?
The AquaBella application system is formulated to last one year in most aquariums. If you start to have water quality problems before a year, particularly after a filter change, we recommend using the AquaBella Booster.
22. How can I buy AquaBella?
Click here for online ordering. AquaBella can also be purchased at leading pet supply retailers.
