PRODUCT GENERAL INFO

The smell is attributable to the natural production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate reducing bacteria as part of the ecosystem. This provides a source of energy for the purple sulfur bacteria in the product and, as a metabolic inhibitor, preserves the product giving it its long shelf life.
If there is no smell, it doesn’t mean it’s dead. It is definitely bad if it is whitish-grey and has a burnt rubber smell. The bacteria are definitely dead in that case. If it is pinkish or brownish in color, just shake it up it should be fine.
Neighbors spraying pesticides in the area; nearby parking areas with road cleaning chemicals from maintenance vehicles; countywide pesticide spraying programs; unseasonable temperature drops; chlorine from tap water; salt and other medications added to the pond; lime and acids from cement foundations; hurricanes and strong winds blowing toxic debris into the pond. Although these will impact the bacteria, it should not eliminate all from the pond. The bacteria can reestablish itself.
No, the dark color from Sludge Away is not permanent. When added to the pond, Sludge Away will usually turn the water dark-colored. The color can take up to 1-2 weeks to dissipate but is harmless to plants, fish or other inhabitants and will not harm humans or animals. The color is due to the type of bacteria necessary to biodegrade the more difficult buildup of debris and sludge. The bacteria must first solubilize the sludge before it can be biodegraded. It is the solubilization process which discolors the water. Depending upon the amount of buildup to be solubilized, the discoloration time will vary.
It is the purposeful inoculation of a pond with a pre-selected consortium of microorganisms to establish the ideal numbers and distributions of populations to restore the natural balance to your pond. This provides a healthier environment for all forms of aquatic plant and animal life in an ecologically balanced pond or aquarium.
It is the purposeful inoculation of a pond with a pre-selected consortium of microorganisms to establish the ideal numbers and distributions of populations to restore the natural balance to your pond. This provides a healthier environment for all forms of aquatic plant and animal life in an ecologically balanced pond or aquarium.
A major benefit in using liquid (live) bacteria over powdered (spore) bacteria is that the live bacteria will start to colonize and go to work immediately whereas the powdered will take longer and the liquid bacteria possess photosynthetic properties which are not available in the powdered forms. The powdered (such as ML/TAC) on the other hand, contains additional beneficial additives that may not be in the liquid, such as sodium bicarbonate, sea salt and activated carbon. A primary difference, which is instantly noticeable, is the lack of odor in the dry product.
It can’t be used within 72 hours of the application of pesticides or algaecides. It is also necessary to turn off any UV lights for minimum of 24 hours after an application to allow the bacteria to become established. Microbes work best in a pH neutral range, 6.5 – 8.6.
Studies with MICROBE-LIFT in shrimp farms and fish farms have shown the other livestock grows larger because they are healthier when the MICROBE-LIFT is used. We have studies from a certified toxicology lab on acute oral toxicity, acute and chronic dermal toxicity, and acute ocular toxicity and the MICROBE-LIFT is negative for all. Copies of these reports are available on request.
We have studies from a certified toxicology lab on acute oral toxicity, acute and chronic dermal toxicity, and acute ocular toxicity and the MICROBE-LIFT is negative for all. Copies of these reports are available on request. The chemical treatments (parasite protections, wound healant, pH buffer, etc.) must be used as directed as these are not biological interventions. These contain chemicals to be used in times of crisis intervention. (MSDS sheets can be found on our website microbelift.com)
We don’t recommend drinking right out of the original container; however in the pond or aquarium the bacteria are safe and anything in the pond can safely be ingested. There is NO oral toxicity.
MICROBE-LIFT is beneficial to sick fish in many ways. All products were formulated specifically to reduce stress and some are to treat sick fish. The bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT products will target organic debris in the pond or aquarium and have been proven safe for use with fish, plants and other wildlife. (Use the MICROBE-LIFT chemical treatments, such as ML/Ich-Out, ML/ Protectant, ML/Restore, etc, to promote healing in sick fish.)
No. Plants have benefited from use of MICROBE-LIFT products in the pond and aquarium. Certain products, such as MICROBE-LIFT/ENSURE and ML/BLOOM & GROW are formulated especially for healthy plant growth.
The biological filter will benefit from a bacterial inoculation to get it jump started in spring. The bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT also do many targeted chores in the pond or aquarium, some of which are in areas that do not traverse the filter, such as bogs or the bottom of ponds with no bottom drain. The answer to this would be yes, you cannot have too much “good guy” bacteria in the pond or aquarium. Any excess of the beneficial bacteria will simply die off when the food supply is gone. We recommend the maintenance dosages to preserve the optimum numbers and distribution of bacteria for the best results under the changing conditions of your pond or aquarium.
Unlike chemicals, the live bacterium will not harm the pond/ aquarium or inhabitants.
MICROBE-LIFT products can be administered together. They are perfectly compatible with each other. Simply follow the directions for usage on the side of the box for each product you use. They are doing different jobs in the pond or aquarium.
Yes, we recommend that you turn off the UV light for a 48-72-hour period after the initial application and for 24-48 hours after each subsequent application. This is when the organisms are growing most rapidly and when they are the most sensitive to the UV light.
Concrete and cement ponds have residual lime and acids in them. The lime may leach out of the concrete for years adversely affecting the bacteria’s results if not properly washed and prepared at time of installation.
It reduces ammonia levels, nitrogen levels, reduces noxious odors caused by urine, fecal matter, algae, overfeeding, etc., reduces hydrogen sulfide odors, improves dissolved oxygen, reduces buildup of bird droppings and organic sediment. Also reduces nitrate nitrogen levels and most potential sources of fish toxicity.
Introducing a live bacterial culture to a pond is like introducing any other life form, such as fish. Your pond should be adequately aerated, especially in warm weather, to provide the oxygen needed by your fish and aerobic bacteria. Oxygen uptake by the bacteria will be higher if there is a significant buildup of organic waste in the pond or aquarium. You should begin to see results in 7-10 days and in 25-30 days you should see complete results. Unlike chemical products which work almost immediately when added to a pond, but become diluted, the active bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT multiply to provide the populations necessary to give the desired effect. Some time is naturally required for this growth to occur. When you plant grass seed you wouldn’t expect to mow it right away, would you?
MICROBE-LIFT should be used as is and not tampered with. The bacteria are grown in the container, and by attempting to dilute it could upset the balance of equilibrium in the bottle and jeopardize the remainder by shortening the shelf life.
These products establish a balance of nutrients in the pond/ aquarium, remove ammonia, nitrogen and other organic waste, which in turn produces cleaner water and a healthier environment for the inhabitants of the pond/ aquarium. It will reduce the manual maintenance requirements of the owner and increase the pleasure of having a pond or aquarium. As one dealer put it, “It cuts your pond maintenance in half.”
MICROBE-LIFT/PL & Special Blend have been called an ecosystem in a bottle. By establishing and maintaining a healthy balance in the pond/ aquarium, and by removing soluble and particulate organic waste matter, the water will obtain clarity otherwise not available. Any small or microscopic debris in the pond or aquarium will add to turbidity, clouding of the pond/ aquarium and detracting from the overall appearance. With MICROBE-LIFT at work, this is removed by the bacterial action.

POND PRODUCT APPLICATION

The best application is to shake well and add amount of product indicated on the container for your size pond. It can be put in one spot or spread around the edge of the pond by hand or metered dispenser. The end result will be full coverage of the entire pond, but it will become distributed more quickly in a larger pond if applied to different areas.
The best application is to measure exactly, follow directions on the container label. It can be pre-mixed in a container of pond water and walked around the pond to prevent hot-spots. If you have any questions about application, please call before you apply.
Just dab it on or spread it across the entire matting. It can be applied to lava rock in a bio-upflow filter or dripped over spring-flo. To help eliminate confusion, it can be applied to filter pads after cleaning for immediate reactivation at the following rates: 80-200 gallons 2 oz. per pad application 201-500 gallons 3 oz. per pad application 501-1,000 gallons 4 oz. per pad application 1,001-5,000 gallons 6 oz. per pad application
MICROBE-LIFT products can be administered together, with the exception of ML/ Algaway products. All MICROBE-LIFT bacterial & enzymatic products are compatible with one another. Simply follow the directions for usage on the side of the box for each product you use. They are doing different jobs in the pond.
MICROBE-LIFT bacterial products are formulated to work together for the cleanest pond water and healthiest fish and plants. Basically there is no potential for overdose, as it is a beneficial and non-toxic bacteria. However if excess product is added, it becomes less cost effective to the consumer. When there is more bacteria added to the pond than needed, the excess will starve and die off. The one problem associated with overdosing bacteria, other than economics, is that if there is a lot of organic buildup when you overdose, you can stimulate too much activity and associated oxygen demand, depleting the water of adequate oxygen to support the fish.
Simply add the additional bacteria amount when you realize the mistake. If you didn’t add enough in the initial purge dosage the bacteria will begin working, but will take much longer to show the desired effects. It works a lot better if you use as directed.
Yes, we recommend that you turn off the UV light for a 48-72-hour period after the initial application and for 24-48 hours after each subsequent application. This is when the organisms are growing most rapidly and when they are the most sensitive to the UV light.
MICROBE-LIFT should be used as is and not tampered with. The bacteria are grown in the container it is sold in, and by attempting to dilute it could upset the balance of equilibrium in the bottle and jeopardize the remainder rather than extend it. It will dilute out the inhibitor so the remaining product will no longer be preserved.
It is best applied by pouring it by hand, or metering dispenser, but it can also be applied by a sprayer. A low pressure garden sprayer will not harm the bacteria and if it is easier to apply over a large area like this, the user can do that. However, it should be a coarse spray and not a fine spray that would produce a lot of aerosols.

PRODUCT STORAGE

Products should be protected from extreme heat and direct sunlight. It can withstand heat up to 105ºF before starting to die. A cellar, garage or shed (but not in an attic in the shed) should provide the necessary protection during summer months. The ideal storage temperatures are between 40-105ºF. NOTE: Nite Out II and BMC need to be kept at or below 72F and can be refrigerated to achieve the best shelf life.

SHELF LIFE

Approximately 2 years in unopened container, 1 year after being opened if stored properly.
All of our dry biological products , and the dry bio-products with added enzyme and other support material have an extended shelf life well beyond our two year stated claim. The dry formulations consist of multiple strains of spore forming microorganisms and these microorganisms can stay in the spore form (dormant state) for an indefinite period of time when properly stored. The method of microbial activation is twofold: a) the addition of water; b) the presence of waste organic matter. Both of these factors are required to activate the microbes and get their biological oxidation process going.

INTERACTION WITH COMPETITOR PRODUCTS

It is unlikely that AlgaeFix ® would “sterilize” the pond or aquarium, i.e. kill 100% of the organisms but it can knock out a large portion of them depending on the dosage. In general, if MICROBE-LIFT is being used as directed. it will maintain a healthy pond/ aquarium system, but when other chemical interventions, such as algaecides, are used, you will need to wait at least 3 days before applying MICROBE-LIFT to the pond or aquarium in order for the algaecide to dissipate sufficiently to allow the bacteria to grow. Other algaecides could kill off sufficient quantities of the bacteria and in certain cases, can eliminate all the built up bacteria in the pond/ aquarium. Following that you would need to start with a purge dosage and begin anew to develop the biological ecology and balance of the pond or aquarium.

ODORS

It will improve water clarity, reduce ammonia and nitrogen levels, reduce build up of organic sediment, reduce noxious odors caused by fish urine, fish feed, fecal matter, algae, overfeeding, etc, reduces hydrogen sulfide odors and improves dissolved oxygen levels.
The smell is attributable to the natural production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate reducing bacteria as part of the ecosystem. This provides a source of energy for the purple sulfur bacteria in the product and as a metabolic inhibitor, preserves the product, giving it its long shelf life while in the container.
If it is pinkish or brownish in color, it should be alright. It is definitely bad if it is whitish-grey and has a burnt rubber smell. The bacteria are definitely dead in that case.
No, we do not list expiration dates on the products. There is a batch number on each that can be traced when necessary. (See shelf-life for more information.)

ENZYME QUESTIONS

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions. They are specific in nature and only catalyze certain types of reactions. They are not living so do not reproduce. Over time they are broken down or digested as a food source so enzymes only work for a short period of time. It is better to have bacteria that are living, reproducing and producing the complete complement of enzymes for all the steps necessary to carry out the breakdown of specific materials. Enzymes are also the byproducts of active microbial action enabling them to break down and use the food. They are the catalysts the bacteria use to help absorb food through the cell membranes. The bacteria produce enzymes, much like we do in our own mouths, stomachs and intestines, in the digestive process. Where enzymes are beneficial is in speeding up what would be the “rate-limiting” step in a sequence of reactions, as we do with the cellulase enzyme in the ML Autumn/Winter Prep and Spring/ Summer Cleaner.
There are 8 two ounce packets contained in one plastic bag in each ML/Spring/Summer Cleaner or 4 two ounce packets in Autumn/Winter Prep quart package. These packets are water soluble and pre-measured for easy application. Take them out of the outer plastic bag and toss the recommended amount of packets directly into pond. In minutes the water soluble case will dissolve and the enclosed sawdust-looking contents (enzyme) will disperse. For optimal performance (optional), place the water soluble packets in a bucket of luke warm water (85ºF) until the packets are dissolved. Stir the contents of the bucket and add to the pond.
The enzymes will not harm the fish. It should not have any appeal for the fish. The contents dissolve quickly and are broken down by the bacteria. If a little would be ingested. it is non-toxic. The fish will help circulate the enzymes if they do ingest any.
Leftover packets can be used the following season. These do not go to waste. The packets are specific to consume organic leaf matter in the pond, therefore if used in fall, any remaining product can be used in spring for any new leaves blown in during the later part of winter.
No, it won’t hurt anything in the pond. This product is safe and natural.
The liquid and packets are a two-step process, independent and complementary to each other. The liquid contains cold-weather bacteria (psychrophilic) to remain active under low temperature conditions, independent of photosynthetic conditions. The dry, water soluble packets contain a blend of cellulase enzymes, cellulase-producing bacteria and a cold weather bacterium. The cellulase enzymes, along with the cellulase-producing bacteria, are the key to accelerating the breakdown of leaves and cellulosic matter all winter long. Whereas they work together in cold weather conditions, they work individually in that the dry water soluble packets are specifically formulated to accelerate the breakdown of leaf matter and the liquid bacteria completes the break down of other organic materials in the pond and the byproducts of the initial steps in the breakdown of the leaf matter.
All of our dry biological products , and the dry bio-products with added enzyme and other support material have an extended shelf life well beyond our two year stated claim. The dry formulation consist of multiple strains of spore forming microorganisms and these microorganisms can stay in the spore form (dormant state) for an indefinite period of time when properly stored.
The method of enzyme microbial activation is two fold: a) the addition of water; b) the presence of waste organic matter. Both of these factors are required to activate the powdered microbes and stimulate the biological oxidation process.

SLUDGE

It improves the clarity of the water, it reduces ammonia levels, nitrogen levels, reduces noxious odors caused by urine, fecal matter, algae, overfeeding, etc., reduces hydrogen sulfide odors, improves dissolved oxygen level, reduces buildup of bird droppings and organic sediment. All MICROBE-LIFT products are geared toward balancing the pond ecosystem. Some are more directed toward sludge problems, such as ML/Sludge Away, and ML/ Gravel Substrate Cleaner.
No, the dark color from Sludge Away and Gravel Substrate Cleaner are not permanent. When added to the pond or aqaurium, Sludge Away or Gravel Substrate Cleaner will usually turn the water dark-colored. The color can take up to 1-2 weeks to dissipate in the pond or 1-2 days in the aquarium but is harmless to plants, fish or other inhabitants and will not harm humans or animals. The color is due to the type of bacteria necessary to biodegrade the more difficult buildup of debris and sludge. The bacteria must first solubilize the sludge before it can be biodegraded. It is the solubilization process which discolors the water. Depending upon the amount of buildup to be solubilized, the discoloration time will vary.

WINTER FAQS

The MICROBE-LIFT products, such as the liquid bacteria, will remain viable once they thaw, if frozen. However, they will lose some viability, about 10%, with each freeze/thaw cycle, so it is better if they do not freeze at all. The bigger problem is excessive heat in storing live bacterial products. You should be able to store the products in the garage for the winter. The ideal storage temperatures are between 40-105ºF.
MICROBE-LIFT products can be used continuously all year, even if used under the layer of ice. If there is a layer of ice on the pond a heater or de-icer should be used to maintain a hole in the ice for gas exchange. Otherwise stimulating biological activity can be detrimental. If the products are under icy water they will continue to work, however they will not proliferate at the rate they would at 65-70ºF.
A cellar, garage or shed should provide the necessary protection. The ideal storage temperatures are between 40-105ºF.

SUMMER FAQ’S

Products should be protected from extreme heat and direct sunlight. It can withstand heat up to 105ºF before starting to die. A cellar, garage or shed (but not in an attic in the shed) should provide the necessary protection during summer months. The ideal storage temperatures are between 40-105ºF.
For the MICROBE-LIFT/PL the temperature should be 45ºF or above. For ML/ Autumn/ Winter Prep, the bacteria are psychrophiles, low temperature strains, that are active below 45ºF.

FILTERS

The biological filter will benefit from a bacterial inoculation to get it jump-started in spring. The bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT also do many targeted chores in the pond and aquarium, some of which are in areas that do not traverse the filter, such as bogs or the bottom of ponds with no bottom drain. The answer to this would be that you cannot have too much “good guy” bacteria in the pond/ aquarium. Any excess of the beneficial bacteria will simply die off when the food supply is gone. We recommend the maintenance dosages to assure the optimum numbers and distribution of bacteria for the best results under the changing conditions in your pond or aquarium.

UV LIGHTS

Yes. We recommend that you turn off the UV light for a 48-72-hour period after the initial application and for 24-48 hours after each subsequent application. This is when the organisms are growing most rapidly and when they are the most sensitive to the UV light. UV lights are sterilization units and kill bacteria and single-celled plants as they pass through. Ozonators (not to be confused with oxygenators or aerators) will do the same and should be shut down until the Microbe-Lift bacteria become established.

SEPTIC TANKS

All septic systems require biological action to break down, digest and purify organic waste matter that accumulate in septic tanks and drainfields. Unfortunately, “for the poor friendly microbes,” many household compounds harm the natural biological processes within tanks and drainage fields. The loss or reduction of these necessary biological workers may lead to failure or loss of system performance and result in costly maintenance, repair and odor.
Microbe-Lift is a blend of highly specialized “SAFE” microbrial cultures. Microbe-Lift’s highly active bio-consortium was designed specifically to restore the necessary biological function within your entire waste system (tank, lines and drainfields).
When Microbe-Lift is added to your septic system its biological cultures are activated by the waste matter and immediately starts to restore necessary biological activity within your system. Their biological process helps liquefy, break down and digest (remove) accumulated waste within the entire system (septic tank & drainfields). The bio-process converts waste compounds all the way to (basic elements) carbon dioxide, water and additional new biological workers. Microbe-Lift keeps on working (degrading wastes) long after you put it to work. For optimum results, treat your system every six months. For troubled systems see directions on our packaging.
NO! Microbe-Lift contains only safe biological cultures (tested for safe use), no chemicals are added. It provides a natural safe biological process, that is non-toxic and safe for all systems and friendly to the environment. The addition of Microbe-Lift to your waste system promotes improved bio-performance and long system life.

POND PRODUCTS FAQ’S

Basic and PL & PBL, there is a major difference: Basic is a spore-based product, the very least a pond owner can get away with, but will NEVER do with the PL and PBL products will. The purple bacteria is a live, vegetative bacteria, the Purple Sulfur Bacteria strains. These are very versatile and will meet a wide-range of pond situations in a wide variety of chemistries and fluctuations. Being live, they are able to adapt. Spores are just that, minimals. Since there are consumers that hate the smell of PL/PBL, we wanted to offer them something that will not smell (spore-based do not smell).
With HC and Golf, it is the market, not the product. Golf is a professional product, not for general homeowners, no matter the size of their ponds. With golf courses, we don’t have to be concerned about fish care, just the state of the pond. They are both bacteria, heterotrophs, and may be similar, but are targeted to different markets.
The Basic Beneficial Bacteria is the least of all our products. It is the spore-based bacteria we made so people with lakes or ponds containing a million gallons could afford to inoculate their systems with some type of bacteria, whereas the PL would be very costly to them. On the other hand, here is a run-down of PL versus spore-based bacteria products (which is what all the other products on the market consist of, by the way) and none of the deleterious effects is likely to occur in a million gallon water feature, but is very possible in a 3,000 gallon pond. MICROBE-LIFT/PL Goes to work on contact, where spores take up to 8 to 12 hours to activate Degrades slow to degrade matter such as fats, greases, protein, and long chain fatty acids (from fish food) that build up in ponds and filter media, PL offers a significantly greater oxidation rate than spore based cultures for these compounds Superior enzyme and bio surfactant production (vegatative vs spores) Functions in aerobic, anaerobic and anonic path-ways, exceeds spore oxidation functions Works better bio films and bio filters than spores – reduces maintenance Contains no chemical inhibitors, spore formulation contain from 1,000 to 2000 ppm inhibitors, these may be harmful to marine life with over use Contains no surfactants, spores contain for 1 to 5% – these are known to be harmful to marine life and fish, can be deadly to fish with over treatment Controls hydrogen sulfide production, eliminats odor and toxic gas production form pond bottoms – spore can not control H2S Assist in achieving the nitrification cycle – by removing repressive slow ot degrade organic matter that inhibits and slows nitrification REMOVES NITRATE VIA DENITRIFICATION – KEY TO POND HEALTH
Microbe-Lift/PBL is a professional product and should not be sold/used by the home owner. It contains 80% PL, 10% Ensure and 10% TheraP. Now, if the customer is a homeowner and not a pond service person, they will get the same results from using these three products separately since they will be using more like 40% of the Ensure (for plants) and 40% TheraP (for fish health), not to mention 100% PL for a nice clean pond. (Service persons can get away with the PBL because they put more muscle into the weekly treatment for their customers.) Besides, as a retailer, you will notice the PBL has no bar code for resale.
If you have sufficient surface area per fish inch then there will not be a problem. If you have a waterfall and say, a spitter or aerator/bubbler, then you should be safe enough. There is an oxygen meter out there that works on batteries, but the best judge of this will be your fish. If your fish seem stressed during the treatment, within the first day, especially if the water temperature is in the 80’sF, then all you need to do is add some Microbe-Lift/AquaXtreme and use your garden hose to add some fresh water. That’s only if the fish seem to be gasping at the surface of the water. Hot water conditions can do this, with or without Sludge Away, but using SA in hot weather is probably not a great idea. Use it when the water temps are in the 70’s and keep the pump/filter/waterfall running, just as you would normally do. The biggest danger is over-stocking. The fish will use much more oxygen than these little microbes, right? We just don’t want to have too much competition in hot weather.
The Microbe-Lift/Ensure would be great for hydroponic. 1 oz. of Ensure per 40 gallons of water.
Yes they can. I use the Master Media Bag for mine. In fact, I heartily recommend using this method of containing them, rather than just distributing them into a pond where they can be visible on the bottom as they biodegrade. Some people choose to put it into the waterfall or the skimmer, but it will swell up, initially, and could block the skimmer. So, I hang mine over the side of the pond “near” the skimmer. I have bottom drains and want the pellets to remain in the pond, too.
MC+ contains everything MC does, plus Barley. The MC and MC+ are both spore-based. That’s got pros and cons. The pros are that it doesn’t smell and is easy to store. The cons are that it cannot compete with the live bacteria in PL and no amount of pluses (+) can equal the accelerating power of Sludge Away when used in conjunction with PL. The live bacteria goes to work immediately and has the ability to “diversify” in ways the spores can’t even imagine. The PL bacteria will also build up (bio-film) and begin to de-nitrify (nitrate removal). When it comes to balancing the pond, PL is the one. If you want the best in this pond, use Microbe-Lift/PL. And since it has no bottom drain, use Sludge Away to prevent buildup of bottom solids. Between those two products you will be able to maintain a good environment for the fish (and lilies).
The clay is collected and kiln dried. No irradiation or bleaching is done. Other than the drying it is just like it came from the source.
The key added benefit of the Xtreme over the Dechlorinator Plus is that it removes any ammonia that may be released in the breakdown of chloramines. This is important as a few people said that we should put a warning on the Dechlorinator Plus labels telling the user to monitor ammonia levels when using the Dechlorinator Plus with chloramines. If you have chloramines in your water source, you will want to use AquaXtreme instead of Dechlorinator+. If you don’t know, check with your city water company. Most cities are now adding chloramines to water because it is more stable than chlorine alone. Chloramine is a bond of chlorine and ammonia. If you break the chlorine bond you would be left with ammonia.
The pH Decrease doesn’t use any oxygen, so it would be safe to use in 89F water. I have concerns about the fish in 89F water, however, and just wanted to mention it, just in case. It has nothing to do with the pH Decrease. In general, fish will be pretty stressed by this time (above 85F) and you need to stop feeding entirely, in case you weren’t aware, by the time it reaches 90. Please don’t try to kill any algae in there at that temperature either. You’ve got a lot of fish and no bottom drain to circulate the water. Hopefully the bottom-most water will be cooler. By the way, koi are fine in pH between 6.5 and 8.5, so you shouldn’t have to do much adjusting on the pH. Use the pH Buffer Stabilizer to maintain a stable environment for the fish.
MICROBE-LIFT is beneficial to sick fish in many ways. All products were formulated specifically to reduce stress and some are to treat sick fish. The bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT products will target organic debris in the pond or aquarium and have been proven safe for use with fish, plants and other wildlife. (Use the MICROBE-LIFT chemical treatments, such as ML/Ich-Out, ML/ Protectant, ML/Restore, etc, to promote healing in sick fish.)
No. Plants have benefited from use of MICROBE-LIFT products in the pond and aquarium. Certain products, such as MICROBE-LIFT/ENSURE and ML/BLOOM & GROW are formulated especially for healthy plant growth.
The biological filter will benefit from a bacterial inoculation to get it jump started in spring. The bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT also do many targeted chores in the pond or aquarium, some of which are in areas that do not traverse the filter, such as bogs or the bottom of ponds with no bottom drain. The answer to this would be yes, you cannot have too much “good guy” bacteria in the pond or aquarium. Any excess of the beneficial bacteria will simply die off when the food supply is gone. We recommend the maintenance dosages to preserve the optimum numbers and distribution of bacteria for the best results under the changing conditions of your pond or aquarium.
Unlike chemicals, the live bacterium will not harm the pond/ aquarium or inhabitants.
MICROBE-LIFT products can be administered together. They are perfectly compatible with each other. Simply follow the directions for usage on the side of the box for each product you use. They are doing different jobs in the pond or aquarium.
Yes, we recommend that you turn off the UV light for a 48-72-hour period after the initial application and for 24-48 hours after each subsequent application. This is when the organisms are growing most rapidly and when they are the most sensitive to the UV light.
Concrete and cement ponds have residual lime and acids in them. The lime may leach out of the concrete for years adversely affecting the bacteria’s results if not properly washed and prepared at time of installation.
It reduces ammonia levels, nitrogen levels, reduces noxious odors caused by urine, fecal matter, algae, overfeeding, etc., reduces hydrogen sulfide odors, improves dissolved oxygen, reduces buildup of bird droppings and organic sediment. Also reduces nitrate nitrogen levels and most potential sources of fish toxicity.
Introducing a live bacterial culture to a pond is like introducing any other life form, such as fish. Your pond should be adequately aerated, especially in warm weather, to provide the oxygen needed by your fish and aerobic bacteria. Oxygen uptake by the bacteria will be higher if there is a significant buildup of organic waste in the pond or aquarium. You should begin to see results in 7-10 days and in 25-30 days you should see complete results. Unlike chemical products which work almost immediately when added to a pond, but become diluted, the active bacteria in MICROBE-LIFT multiply to provide the populations necessary to give the desired effect. Some time is naturally required for this growth to occur. When you plant grass seed you wouldn’t expect to mow it right away, would yo
MICROBE-LIFT should be used as is and not tampered with. The bacteria are grown in the container, and by attempting to dilute it could upset the balance of equilibrium in the bottle and jeopardize the remainder by shortening the shelf life.
These products establish a balance of nutrients in the pond/ aquarium, remove ammonia, nitrogen and other organic waste, which in turn produces cleaner water and a healthier environment for the inhabitants of the pond/ aquarium. It will reduce the manual maintenance requirements of the owner and increase the pleasure of having a pond or aquarium. As one dealer put it, “It cuts your pond maintenance in half.”
MICROBE-LIFT/PL & Special Blend have been called an ecosystem in a bottle. By establishing and maintaining a healthy balance in the pond/ aquarium, and by removing soluble and particulate organic waste matter, the water will obtain clarity otherwise not available. Any small or microscopic debris in the pond or aquarium will add to turbidity, clouding of the pond/ aquarium and detracting from the overall appearance. With MICROBE-LIFT at work, this is removed by the bacterial action.

POND PRODUCT APPLICATION

The best application is to shake well and add amount of product indicated on the container for your size pond. It can be put in one spot or spread around the edge of the pond by hand or metered dispenser. The end result will be full coverage of the entire pond, but it will become distributed more quickly in a larger pond if applied to different areas.
The best application is to measure exactly, follow directions on the container label. It can be pre-mixed in a container of pond water and walked around the pond to prevent hot-spots. If you have any questions about application, please call before you apply.
Just dab it on or spread it across the entire matting. It can be applied to lava rock in a bio-upflow filter or dripped over spring-flo. To help eliminate confusion, it can be applied to filter pads after cleaning for immediate reactivation at the following rates: 80-200 gallons 2 oz. per pad application 201-500 gallons 3 oz. per pad application 501-1,000 gallons 4 oz. per pad application 1,001-5,000 gallons 6 oz. per pad application
MICROBE-LIFT products can be administered together, with the exception of ML/ Algaway products. All MICROBE-LIFT bacterial & enzymatic products are compatible with one another. Simply follow the directions for usage on the side of the box for each product you use. They are doing different jobs in the pond.
MICROBE-LIFT bacterial products are formulated to work together for the cleanest pond water and healthiest fish and plants. Basically there is no potential for overdose, as it is a beneficial and non-toxic bacteria. However if excess product is added, it becomes less cost effective to the consumer. When there is more bacteria added to the pond than needed, the excess will starve and die off. The one problem associated with overdosing bacteria, other than economics, is that if there is a lot of organic buildup when you overdose, you can stimulate too much activity and associated oxygen demand, depleting the water of adequate oxygen to support the fish.
Simply add the additional bacteria amount when you realize the mistake. If you didn’t add enough in the initial purge dosage the bacteria will begin working, but will take much longer to show the desired effects. It works a lot better if you use as directed.
Yes, we recommend that you turn off the UV light for a 48-72-hour period after the initial application and for 24-48 hours after each subsequent application. This is when the organisms are growing most rapidly and when they are the most sensitive to the UV light.
MICROBE-LIFT should be used as is and not tampered with. The bacteria are grown in the container it is sold in, and by attempting to dilute it could upset the balance of equilibrium in the bottle and jeopardize the remainder rather than extend it. It will dilute out the inhibitor so the remaining product will no longer be preserved.
It is best applied by pouring it by hand, or metering dispenser, but it can also be applied by a sprayer. A low pressure garden sprayer will not harm the bacteria and if it is easier to apply over a large area like this, the user can do that. However, it should be a coarse spray and not a fine spray that would produce a lot of aerosols.

PRODUCT STORAGE

Products should be protected from extreme heat and direct sunlight. It can withstand heat up to 105ºF before starting to die. A cellar, garage or shed (but not in an attic in the shed) should provide the necessary protection during summer months. The ideal storage temperatures are between 40-105ºF. NOTE: Nite Out II and BMC need to be kept at or below 72F and can be refrigerated to achieve the best shelf life.

SHELF LIFE

Approximately 2 years in unopened container, 1 year after being opened if stored properly.
All of our dry biological products , and the dry bio-products with added enzyme and other support material have an extended shelf life well beyond our two year stated claim. The dry formulations consist of multiple strains of spore forming microorganisms and these microorganisms can stay in the spore form (dormant state) for an indefinite period of time when properly stored. The method of microbial activation is twofold: a) the addition of water; b) the presence of waste organic matter. Both of these factors are required to activate the microbes and get their biological oxidation process going.

BIRDBATH & FOUNTAIN PRODUCTS

When Microbe-Lift is added to your septic system its biological cultures are activated by the waste matter and immediately starts to restore necessary biological activity within your system. Their biological process helps liquefy, break down and digest (remove) accumulated waste within the entire system (septic tank & drainfields). The bio-process converts waste compounds all the way to (basic elements) carbon dioxide, water and additional new biological workers. Microbe-Lift keeps on working (degrading wastes) long after you put it to work. For optimum results, treat your system every six months. For troubled systems see directions on our packaging.
Large Fountain Clear will prevent organic contaminants from forming (such as crusty white scale deposits, iron, copper and hard water stains). There are two technologies involved in this product. One is that which I first mentioned, and the other is a bio-enzymatic activity to keep water clear and free from the organic debris that can make water cloudy (bird droppings, i.e.). It is recommended to start with a clean surface, perhaps using ML/Soy Based Bird Bath and Statuary Cleaner before refilling the fountain. Rinse and repeat, if necessary. Then, in the established fountain, use Large Fountain Clear weekly to maintain it. Do partial water changes as needed, which will be far less often than without using this product.
You can use it, same dosage rate as the Small Fountain Clear, and it will just last longer than the smaller version. It is the same product just sized differently based on application, but there is no difference is dosage rate.

INDUSTRIAL

The odor is from an anaerobic process that will produce hydrogen sulfide gas via the Sulfate pathway. Add MICROBE-LIFT/IND as both will work for you. Start with 1 to 1/2 gallon then add one quart for every one to two thousand gallons per week. These cultures can block the anaerobic production of hydrogen sulfide. You may also wish to add Sodium bicarbonate to bring the pH up to about 6.9 to 7.