F.A.Q.

Do you do tank maintenace and tank rescue outside of San Diego County?
Unfortunately, not at this time.

When will my order ship?
One your order is recieved it can take 1-3 business days to process. We ship via UPS only because US parcel post destroys the bacteria with their x-ray scanners. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to bacteria to the State of Hawaii or Austrailia due local/federal laws.
We currently do not ship Internationally, please inquire first.

What is Starfire glass on a aquarium?
Starfire glass is a specialty glass that rivals acrylic (10x clear than standard glass).
The glass is made with low iron for exceeding clarity, but is more fragile so it's laminated glass.
Starfire glass on a aquarium is usually the front side, or three front sides. It is possible to have a 4 sided Starfire aquarium, but the cost would outweight the hobby itself.
Remember, though if the glass is supurbly clear and if the water in it is not makes no sense to even have a Starfire tank if the water is dirty, it actually can make the tank uglier
However, with the RightNow! method it can be as Super clean and clear.

How do I choose a Aquarium Filtration System?
Please let Stan and Debbie guide you, they are trusted personal friends of mine.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/filterselection/a/aa072297chosfil.htm

Can you really have a true 0 0 0 system (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0)?
Even in a heavy fish load?
What about a mixed reef?
What about for freshwater?
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.
Think I'm kidding, try it for yourself.

What is a protein skimmer? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_skimmer)
A protein skimmer is a mechanical device that was originally invented to help remove organic wastes from aquarium water through foam fractionation utilzing the surface tension of water to lift waste out of a water column on bubbles. Still used today in many freshwater tanks.
In saltwater aquaria the efficiency of a protein skimmer is anywhere between 50-60% at best at removing organics due to the nature of it being mechanical.
It is a MYTH that protein skimmers add oxygen to the water.
This is well documented by the wastewater industry and Dr. Eric Borneman's lecture on Oxygen (http://www.reefvideos.com/)
Protein skimmers do work and have been used for centuries; however, the improvement in the design of a protein skimmer will not reach 90% due to mechanical filtration restrictions, it's purpose is to alleviate the system so to lighten the biological filtration load.

Somebody told me that I don't need a protien skimmer, are you crazy?
It has been proven that a skimmer is not required on a tank if water changes are maintained to alleviate waste in the water weekly.
The RightNow! System is based on biological filtration than mechanical or chemical filtration.
Water changes are between 2-4 weeks depending on how much one feeds.
We recommend feeding up to 4 times per day and water changes every 2 weeks.
If feeding once a day then water changes every 4 weeks.
One can always use a skimmer on their tanks and it will not hurt the system, but many customers as well as ourselves have noticed that protien skimmers don't work after 3-7 days. This is because the water is stripped clean and clear without oils or residue on water surface and no smell of protiens (fishy smells) from the water from the efficient bacteria.
Skimmers are not needless equipment. They are extemely useful when used for the right system. Skimmers are not bad and have proven themself for many years on traditional systems, it's just they become inefficient with this type of system.

We all love big aquariums tanks, but there are more efficient methods of filtration like the RightNow! method.
Imagine what kind of skimmer one would need for a 20,000g fish tank.

Atlantis Marine World a 20,000g aquarium with a protein skimmer.

This is a DIY skimmer for this aquarium, lets say 60% organics removal...
sufficient or efficient? I'll let you be the judge.
I wouldn't mind swimming in 40% of my organic waste

I love refugiums, but imagine the refugium size for that 20,000 gal tank.

I wonder how they clean that skimmer cup daily?

What if we converted the skimmer to a large carbon tube and used the same pump to pump through all that carbon?

Can the RightNow! system really cycle my tank within 24 hours?
Approximately after one day, ammonia will be close to zero and nitrates should already be rising in the aquarium, then nitrates will go down, granted that there is fish producing waste. Without the fish producing waste, the Tri-based carbon cannot complete the reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas.

What bacteria are in the RightNow! Bacteria?
We don't know, don't bother to ask us. We are not the manufacturers or trying to find out. Large companies have patents to protect their products just like we don't know what is really in our gasoline we put in our cars. We are all told it's gas, but why does some gas burn longer from diffrent companies than others. No one really knows the ingredients in Coke, Pepsi, or Kentucky Fried Chicken and nor does anyone really care. People just buy it because they like it. Essentially the bacteria are just a mix of naturally occuring bacteria that work very well in closed systems (aquariums).

I heard that the RightNow! system is just like other systems that use zeolites, right?
Zeolites are the aluminosilicate members of the family of microporous solids known as "molecular sieves". Zeolites are marketed by pet stores for use as a filter additive in aquariums, especially reef aquaria. In aquariums, zeolites can be used to absorb ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds. However, due to the high affinity of some zeolites for calcium, they may be less effective in hard water and may deplete calcium. Zeolite filtration is used in some marine aquaria to keep nutrient concentrations low for the benefit of corals adapted to nutrient-depleted waters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeolite#Aquarium_keeping

The RightNow! system is a system based on 100% biological filtration than synthetic filtration minerals, they digest waste more efficiently than mechanical filtration methods when following manufactuer guidelines. Zeolites are an excellent filtration method; however, the RightNow! method in combination with MetalGone removes up to ten times more ammonia than zeolites including toxic heavy metals and phosphorus.

A bacteria that eats sludge and slime? I don't want that in my aquarium.
Why not? We don't like removing cyanobacteria manually. One's protein skimmer will have to remove the oils, sludge, and slime which is not really efficient. The bacteria are also harmelss to fish, inverts, and corals.

Are the RightNow! bacteria harmful?
RightNow! bacteria are actually a patented mix of commonly occuring natural bacteria that digest waste. There are special formulations that can make this more efficient for waste water treatment. The bacteria used in RightNow! is not known to be pathogenic. It currently does not contain pseudomonas aeruginosa a pathogenic bacteria known for life threatening infections. The majority of the RightNow! bacteria will reside in the carbon.

How long does the tri-based carbon last?
Tri-based activated carbon has a useful chemical filtration life of approximately 30 days. However, the media when used as biological media for surface area combined with RightNow! bacteria can be used for three to five years if properly maintained every month.

Why is the bacteria in a powder/flake form?
Due to advances in microbiology, the bacteria are able to be freeze dried in branflake which is harmless to fish and invertebrates. When mixed with warmer water and incubated in the aquarium the bacteria will become active again.
Freeze dried bacteria helps increase storage life and decrease shipping costs. The bacteria can be stored for up to 5 years in this form if the bottle is air tight in a cool dry place.

I don't believe all this non-sense, bacteria dried? Bacteria have to be in a liquid form.

Well, just in case you want to try freeze dry your own bacteria this is a link how to do it.
http://biotech.about.com/od/protocols/ht/lyophilize.htm

How long does pH rock last?
pH rock is a mined mineral that is reprocessed by HDLTD so that it has a combination of Calcium, Magnesium, pH buffer, and some trace minerals. In a white rock form it takes awhile time to dissolve depending on coral consumption.

How can a magical rock keep my pH, Calcium, Magnesium in check?
This rock is essentially Calcium carbonate, Magnesium carbonate, and trace minerals. The three keep each other in balance thats why it's manufactured that way. Remember, we don't make this stuff. As the rock dissolves from CO2 released from the RightNow! bacteria it will release these elements. The rock should always be placed after the Tri-based carbon/bacteria to work properly. Only with the proper amount of pH rock will it work appropriately. This essentially acts like a expensive calcium reactor. The CO2 from the bacteria slows down when less waste is available.

I followed the directions exactly and my fish are not eating, what do I do?
Unfortunately, depending on the species of fish you are keeping some will eat before others nd some rare fish may never eat depending on their diet. (Mandarin Dragonet/Goby, Scooter Blenny, Moorish Idol, Fu Manchu Lionfish, etc)
The RightNow! method is not a guarantee that your fish will eat. The system will help reduce your fish losses and reduce maintenance on your aquarium from build up of waste. It has been proven in the lab to reduce fish deaths, that's why the bacteria are patented U.S. Patent No 6,562,585

I added all the bacteria to the tank and now all my fish are dead, why?
When adding the bacteria to a new system or older system, we suggest using 1/2 to 3/4 the full amount because the full amount of bacteria will consume all the oxygen in the aquarium as they digest waste then will slightly lower pH.
When adding less bacteria, they will multiply over the next several days to catch up with the system to achieve balance. In addition, the output needs to be above the water because a by product of the bacteria is CO2 and needs to be driven off at the surface of the water and gas exhange with oxygen. Make sure powerheads are breaking the surface of the water and not under the water retaining CO2, essentially fighting the fish for oxygen.
With or without the RightNow! bacteria it's good practice to have agitation at the surface of the water for gas exchange.
Things that affect oxygen:
1) Output above the water to aid gas exchange (CO2 for oxygen)
2) Salinity/Density (higher has less carrying capacity in water)
3) Temperature (higher temps displace out oxygen)
4) Flow (lower flow, less agitation at the surface for gas exchange)
5) Corals/Plants (produce quite a bit of oxygen during phosynthesis)

Why is oxygen so important?
Try holding your breath... just kidding
Respiration capacity is what determines why Elephants are not Mice and vice versa.
Elephants have large lungs allowing more surface area for oxygen and potential growth... mice get the other end of the stick; however, Elephants have a slow metabolism because they don't have to work so hard to get the oxygen then need. Mice on the other hand have a high metabolism because they have to work harder to get more oxygen out of their little lungs. This is the same with fish in a closed enviroment (aquarium).

My system has been running and now my fish are dying?
Have you used the recommended amount of carbon? Do you have your output above the water breaking the surface of the water? Are all your powerheads breaking the surface of the water? Is your flow rate 10x the tank size? Are you manually controlling your pH and keeping up with water changes? Are you feeding your fish 2x per day?

I always loved freshwater Discus and don't like changing the water 40% every other day.
So do we and the the RightNow! System is made for this. Water changes will be minimal for freshwater every 4-6 weeks when using the appropriate amount of tri-based carbon or earth pellets (planted tanks). One dosn't have to have a bare bottom aquarium for discus to keep the water clean. Water changes will always still be needed because of buildup of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and decaying organic matter (DOM) that we can see.

I want to keep a Discus planted tank, but since the system consumes phosphate will my plants die? I also hate to do water changes every other day, will this help?
Yes, when using the tri-based carbon plants will die because all the nutrients and some phophate is consumed. The ratio is approximately 3:1.
We do offer another product "Earth pellets" that provide the bacteria with a high surface area high surface area for bacteria to colonize.. Earth pellets are inert and don't allow completion of the aerobic cycle removing nitrates to nitrogen gas. This allows the plants to grow utilizing nitrates and CO2 produced by the bacteria. In addition, the output of the filtration setup may go slightly underwater to retain CO2 for enhanced plant growth.

Come on now, how natural is a perfectly clean system?
That depends on what livestock you want to keep.
Freshwater fish in the amazon thrive in the cleanest water from mangroves just like saltwater.
Saltwater fish only systems are a closed container that can have waste build up quickly from fish. Fish can stand waste up to a point before they show stress leading to disease.

Fish only tanks are suggested to use the full amount of carbon.

A Reef with fish do well with cleaner water because corals and invertebrates are more sensitive to waste; however, not too clean. This system can use less carbon, approximately 1/2 the required.

A Reef/coral tank with few fish, does not do well in a perfectly clean enviroment, because they don't produce much waste. Corals get food through symbiotic zooanthelle, which undergo photosynthesis to give corals energy. Most corals get their major source of energy from plankton, zooplankton, bacterio-plankton (natural bacteria that digests wastes) through the breakdown of decaying organic matter (DOM).
If aquarium water were perfectly clean then the amount of bacterio-plankton is reduced and can starve corals. Through a unknown process the corals can bleach in extremely clean water releasing the zooanthelle and die. This is also true for a zeolite system also, if overdosed with zeolites.

Do I have to use a canister filter or canister vessel?
Yes, it's recommended because the system works under pressure with a flow rate of 10x per hour, this allows the proper amount of time for the bacteria to digest waste. If one wants to run in a chamber or powerfilter the bacteria cannot perform at 100% capacity. It is not recommended and we cannot give additional support for experimentation and potential for livestock losses.

How much TBPC is in 1 pound? (I want to know if my canister will fit all this)
One pound of Tribased Carbon is about 4 cups volume (i.e. 1 Fluval tray is 2 cups, double tray 4 cups and XP filters 1 tray is about 4 cups)

What's the ratio of pH rock weight to volume? (I want to know if my canister will fit all this)
pH rock is about 1 pound per 1 cup volume (i.e. 1 Fluval tray is 2 cups, double tray 4 cups and XP filters 1 tray is about 4 cups)

RightNow! Bacteria can be used in Freshwater and Saltwater aquarium, right?
RightNow! Bacteria comes in two diffrent mixes, for saltwater and freshwater.

Can RightNow! Bacteria be used alone?
Nitrate and phosphate reduciton can only be established if one uses the proper amount of Tri-base carbon with the RightNow! bacteria to have a truely aerobic nitrogen cycle. For nitrate and phosphate reduction only, one can still use Right Now! Bacteria with Coral Stem once a week.
Using RightNow! bacteria alone will provide temporary cleaning up of a unsightly aquarium, but without the carbon the bacteria cannot complete the full aerobic nitrogen cycle. (allowing nitrates to reduce to nitrogen gas).
The system will allow a reduction in the amount of water changes needed to be done.
Alkalinity (pH), Ca, Mg, will all need to be maintained manually, unless using pH rock.

I'm going to use only the RightNow! bacteria and Tribased Carbon.
Sounds great! That takes the headache out of ammonia, nitrite, nitrates. The typical killers of the aquairum.
However, one will need to adjust their pH manually and for a reef tank manually adjust pH, Calcium, Magnesium, and trace elements (a headache in it's own). That's why we also offer pH rock and Sea Lab Trace Element nuggets.

Can one use pH rock alone to control Ca, Mg, pH?
pH rock works from the RightNow! bacteria producing CO2 to dissolve the rock into the water. If used alone it will not do much. This is the same idea how a Calcium reactor works. If there is no waste in the aquarium, there is not CO2 given off.
pH rock is aslo an excellent alternative to Calcium Reactor Media. pH rock (in correct amounts) is like a calcium reactor for your saltwater tank when used in combination with RightNow! bacteria.

No changes in filtration are need for my tank, right?
The flow rate must be 10x the tank size and should be in a pressurized vessel to work effectively. Any power heads (if in use) must break the surface to ensure elevated O2 in your tank, and the returning water from your filter must not be under the water but above the tank water or resting above the water to drive off the the CO2 produced from the bacteria. Otherwise the tank will retain CO2 and drive off oxygen. The fish will eventually DIE from insufficient O2 and buildup of CO2 and lowering of pH.

The tank looks terrible after I added bacteria can I do a water change?
The bacteria may cloud the tank for up to 24-48 hours and parts of the bran flake may show in your filter or sink to the bottom of your tank. The bran flake is harmless and does not need to be removed. It is not toxic to fish, invertebrates or coral if they eat it. There is no need for a water change until the cycle is complete.

Must the tank run at 10x per hour, I don't want my freshwater/saltwater tank blowing all over.
The required rate is 10x per hour for maximum efficiency with the output breaking the surface of the water and for planted tanks (using earth pellets) slightly below the surface of the water.
To aid in splashing and salt creep, we recommend using a output nozzle shaped like a flat plate.

Will RightNow! bacteria bran flake hurt my fish/invertebrates/corals if they eat it?
It is safe for fish, all invertebrates and coral. The bacteria are freeze dried in the bran flake for extended shelf life up to five years and is harmless towards livestock. This is a new way to preserve bacteria in the microbiological industry.

How do I add Right Now to my tank?
Open the bottle when you are ready to add the bacteria and pour the contents directly on the surface of the aquarium, or (even better) mix the contents with a cup of aquarium water first and then pour the mixture in the tank. We recommend adding half the required amount then adding the other half of required amount at the next water change.

Will a UV sterilizer or Protein skimmer prevent Right Now from working properly?
It is recommended to turn off UV sterilizers and/or protein skimmers for 24 hours so the bacteria can seed the tank and start the aerobic cycle. UV light will kill bacteria passing through it and protien skimming will try to remove the bacteria.

Can I add the Right Now Bacteria before the fish are picked up?
The bacteria require fish/livestock to produce ammonia in the tank to get started. Adding either fish or invertebrates in the aquarium, then bacteria will allow the bacteria to thrive and seed the tank. Otherwise, adding bacteria without fish producing ammonia, the bacteria will die off.

How long will it take before my cycle is started and how can I tell?
The RightNow! bacteria colonize the tri-based carbon and start your tanks nitrogen cycle almost immediately. Some test kits measure several forms of ammonia and may give readings that are higher than they actually are. If Nitrate is present in your system, and is not in your tap water your cycle is completed. This should be measurable in 24-48 hours.

What can I do to make sure that the bacteria will perform well in my system?
Biological filtration depends on surface area. The more surface area is available for bacteria to colonize the more efficient your biological filtration system will be. Over time filters that are clogged with fine waste or food don't allow oxygen to pass through and the bacteria will no longer function properly. In addition to use the correct amount of carbon required.
FOWLR carbon needed = (tank gallons x 0.1667)
Reef with fish carbon needed = (tank gallons x 0.1667)/2
Reef with some fish Carbon needed = (tank gallons x 0.1667)/3

Flow rate of 10x through canister filter. We also recommend pH rock to take headaches out of extra chores (maintaing pH, Ca, Mg).

I don't have to use Tri-based carbon right?
Tri-base pelletized carbon is a combination or three carbon components (organic, inorganic, and a third carbon). When used in combination with the RightNow! bacteria it completes the aerobic nitrogen cycle that the bacteria need to break nitrates to nitrogen gas and consume some phosphate. It acts as a biological bed for bacteria to grow on. The chemical filtration life of any carbon is approximately 30 days; however, the RightNow! system uses this as a biological filtration bed and lasts 3 to 5 years. If one wants biological and chemical filtration then the carbon can be replaced earlier.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE RIGHTNOW! BACTERIA WITH TRIBASED CARBON, other carbon media on the market does not have the component to work with RightNow! bacteria and WILL NOT reduce nitrates to nitrogen (requiring weekly to bi-weekly water changes). The carbon is relatively inexpensive and will last up to 5 years.

There are parasites in the tank (i.e. Ick) and I need to treat the tank with anti-biotics and/or copper will this kill the RightNow! bacteria?
The bacteria can handle a wide range of salinity, pH, temperatures, copper, including many heavy metals. It is important to make sure that the pathogens do not develop resistance to low levels of the medication you were using.
Yes, it is always best to do a large volume water change of around 50% after treatment is completed then add some fresh activated carbon after the water change to remove any residues of the medication. It is best to then add RightNow! bacteria after treatments as a booster, but not necessary.

When converting a existing tank how much RightNow! should one use?
Adding to an existing tank like a new tank we recommend using only 1/2 of Right Now bacteria in your tank. The bacteria multiply fast enough that they will catch up with the system within the next 24 hours. Adding too much bacteria to any system with lots of livestock will consume all the available oxygen to digest waste and KILL all fish, invertebrates, corals.
When adding the tri-based carbon, we recommend 1/2 lb of carbon every few days until reaching the desired amount.

How long does it take to cure live rock?
With the RightNow! system it takes 3-5 days to cure live rock.
We recommend doing water changes every 2-3 days until the water clears.
That's impossible! Think about it, aerobic bacteria double every 30 minutes and use 36 ATP molecues of energy, anaerobic bacteria double every 11 days (nitrosomas) and use only 2 ATP of energy. Traditionally, curing live rock takes months with water changes in between.
Aerobic bacteria work much faster.

Can I keep Seahorses and other delicate animals?
Why not? These animals tend to hang out around areas of low flow and will enjoy the improved water quality even with slightly overfeeding the tank because Seahorses are slow eaters. Please keep in mind that delicate animals have trouble competing for food with larger, faster, aggresive animals and don't do well with them.

How often should I feed my tank?
Any tank that is overfeed will produce equivalent waste (input = output), we recommend feeding your fish was much as they can eat until they stop (1-2 minutes). With the RightNow! system fish can be feed from 2-4 times per day if there is no excess food left in the water.

When do I change the water?
With the RightNow! system water changes are from 2-4 weeks and up to 6 weeks for freshwater.
Obviously, when fish are fed more water changes will need to be done earlier every 2-3 weeks at 25% or more. It never hurts to change more water. Would one rather lower dissolved waste 10-20% to prevent buildup vs. shock?
For example, if one's car was running in the garage with carbon monoxide building up would you open the door 10% to keep yourself from getting shocked? I would kick that door as hard as I can and take the shock for fresh air.
With the RightNow! system changing 50% of water will not remove all the beneficial aerobic bacteria from the system because they reside in the carbon.

The RightNow! System is just another one of those denitrator units that will crash my tank over time if I forget to maintain/adjust the drip.
The patented RightNow! system is the real deal 24 hour aerobic nitrogen cycle when setup appropriately with tri-based carbon. It is not a method based on anaerobic bacteria that are slow and potentially toxic. Sulfur fixing bacteria are deadly in the main tank during power failures from no oxygen to compete with the bacteria.
Keeping fish day one has never been easier as well as maintenance.

What is sulfur fixing bacteria?
Sulfur fixing bacteria is a dangerous bacteria (worst nightmare of a reefer) that breaks down waste to H2S using sulfur. H2S is the rotten egg smell, typically used in denitrators.
Where is the sulfur from? Usually, its found in a variety of liverock. This bacteria is not part of the standard nitrogen cycle. Sulfur fixing bacteria reduce nitrates to hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) or methane. It is very toxic to fish and all life if not controlled properly. They are usually supressed by high flow generating oxygen in the tank. For example, an unforseen power outage, no flow, no skimmer, and the build up H2S can kill everything in the tank.
The owner becomes depressed, breaksdown their tank, and leave the hobby.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/index.php

The RightNow! bacteria can save a system from crashing from sulfur fixing bacteria by outcompeting it for nutrients/waste and outcompeting sulfur fixing bacteria.
The standard solution for sulfur fixing bacteria is to breakdown the whole tank and completely start over.

Is this system for me?
Do you have trouble with ammonia? (which should be zero or the system is backing up)
Do you have trouble with nitrates (should be zero but not uncommon for fish only tanks to be less than 100)
Do you have trouble controlling your parameters on your nano-tank? (smaller volumes of water are definitely more difficult, espeically since there is no room for a skimmer or sufficient bioloical media)
Do you want fish/livestock today?
Do you want to wait 6-8 weeks or a full 12 weeks to cycle a tank?
If your tank isn't broken then don't fix it.

What aren't more people using this?
So far there are over 400 local fish stores carrying the products across the USA and we are one of the proud retailers. Others, claim to know how the product works, but don't be fooled unless they are a retail that can support the products.
The aquarium industry is not open to new ideas that end up costing more or miracle ideas. A clear example of ths is Zeolites, we know they work, but the up keep and maintenace is costly and time consuming. Therefore, is not widely accepted in the community.
Of course, if one's fish tank is not broken don't fix it.

Alright, you've almost convinced me half-way, but there must be pros/cons with this RightNow! system. Everything has pros/cons so tell it like it is.
Sure there are.
PROS:
Excellent water quality
Less electricity and noise (no skimmer required)
No more fishy smells from the tank (no protiens in the water)
More light penetration & enjoyment from cleaner/crisper water.
No more ammonia spikes.
No sulfur fixing bacteria.
Ability to delay water changes up to 4 weeks.
Low cost and low maintenance.
No need to ever test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate again.
CONS:
Output of filter above level of water/resting above water.
Additional powerheads must to be breaking the surface of the water.
Flush out the carbon once a month.
If not using pH rock then pH, Ca, Mg manually adjusted (like all other reefs).

All this RightNow! System is bogus and I heard it dosn't work! and kills fish. That's what is on the internet because the internet never lies and neither do people on forums..
If we could get paid five cents for every skeptical person out there, we would not have to be in business and you wouldn't be here reading this stuff.
We are not trying to make a fast buck, but use the best products for our pets.
As hobbyists ourselves we know it can be difficult keeping a saltwater reef or even freshwater discus to eat and breed. We use the RightNow! system because it's low maintenance and low cost system.
It is not logical to spend $$$ on lighting, $$$ on flow, $$$ on livestock, and $$$ on a skimmer, and NOT $$ for efficient biological filtration.