Brightwell MicroBacter QuikCycl 125 ml — Express marine aquarium cycling Reef Marine Aquarium - Brightwell

Brightwell MicroBacter QuikCycl — ammonia source for a fishless cycle

The Brightwell MicroBacter QuikCycl supplies the ammonia needed for a fishless cycle in marine or freshwater aquariums. Formulated by Brightwell Aquatics in the United States, it works alongside a live bacterial culture — MicroBacter Start XLM for saltwater, MicroBacter Start XLF for freshwater. The principle: simulate a fish's biological load by injecting a controlled ammonia dose, let nitrifying bacteria settle and convert NH₃ → NO₂ → NO₃, and confirm the cycle is complete before introducing any livestock.

A successful cycle using QuikCycl + Start XLM takes about 7 days under optimal conditions. The protocol requires shutting down anything that could kill bacteria or strip ammonia: skimmer, UV, ozone, fine filtration, activated carbon.

What QuikCycl is for and when to use it

• Cycling a new aquarium without fish — today's recommended protocol for most aquarists, avoiding the ethical stress of a sacrifice fish.
• Restart after a major incident — filter bed loss, mass rock replacement, restart after disinfection.
• Sanity-checking a biological cycling routine — confirm bacteria can handle the expected load before livestock introduction.

Brightwell official use

• Full dose: 4 drops per US gal (3.8 L) or 1 mL per 5 US gal.
• Ammonia target: test NH₃ to reach 1 to 2 ppm total ammonia.
• Prep: turn off skimmer, UV, and remove fine filtration before dosing.
• Use a dechlorinator (Brightwell Erāse-Cl or equivalent) to remove chlorine and chloramine from source water before adding QuikCycl.
• Adjust pH, alkalinity, and temperature to target parameters before cycling.
• Mandatory: QuikCycl must be used simultaneously with a live bacterial culture (MicroBacter Start XLM saltwater or Start XLF freshwater).

Brightwell official cycling timeline

• Day 1: add QuikCycl and the bacterial culture.
• Days 2-3: test pH, ammonia, and nitrite daily.
• Days 4-6: test and optionally add more bacteria if NH₃ or NO₂ exceeds 0.25 ppm.
• Day 7: cycle done if ammonia and nitrite are at zero and nitrate reads 0.25 ppm or higher.
• Perform a 25 % water change before adding livestock.

Specifications

• Brand: Brightwell Aquatics (made in the USA)
• Available sizes: 60 mL, 125 mL, 250 mL
• Composition: professional ammonia source for cycling
• Compatibility: freshwater (with Start XLF) and saltwater (with Start XLM)
• Warning: contains ammonia — keep out of reach of children, not for human consumption

Why choose Brightwell at ReefSolution

• Brightwell MicroBacter Start XLM — the mandatory bacterial culture paired with QuikCycl for a marine cycle.
• Brightwell MicroBacter7 — the maintenance bioculture to use once the QuikCycl + Start XLM cycle is over.
• Salifert Ammonia Test Kit — the precise titration test to verify the 1-2 ppm target during dosing and 0 ppm at cycle end.

Frequently asked questions

Can QuikCycl be dosed alone without a bacterial culture?

No — Brightwell is explicit: this product requires simultaneous use with a live bacterial culture (Start XLM saltwater, Start XLF freshwater). QuikCycl supplies ammonia; Start XL supplies the bacteria that consume it. One without the other does not cycle the tank.

How many drops of QuikCycl for a 20 US gal nano?

Brightwell publishes 4 drops per US gal, i.e. 80 drops (roughly 4 mL) for a 20 US gal nano. Test ammonia with an accurate kit to confirm the concentration hits 1 to 2 ppm — that is the actual target, not the calculated dose.

Do I need to turn the skimmer off while cycling with QuikCycl?

Yes — Brightwell states this in the instructions. Skimmer, UV, ozone, and fine filtration must be off so they neither strip the dosed ammonia nor kill the settling bacteria. Reintroduce all that equipment gradually after cycle completion and a 25 % water change.

Can QuikCycl be combined with MicroBacter7?

Brightwell states MicroBacter7 is not intended to be used simultaneously with QuikCycl. For cycling, the brand explicitly recommends the QuikCycl + Start XLM (or XLF) duo, not MicroBacter7. Once the cycle is done, switch to MicroBacter7 for maintenance.