Pristine — Bio-Augmentation Bacteria for Detritus and Biofilm 100 ml to 500 ml - Seachem

Seachem Pristine uses bio-augmentation, a non-chemical and natural method, to improve water quality. It provides bacteria that break down excess food, waste and detritus in both freshwater and marine systems. It also reduces excess nutrients — ammonia, nitrates, nitrites — that may fuel the growth of nuisance and disease-causing organisms.

What sets these bacteria apart

• High affinity for larger proteins: sludge buildup on substrate, rocks, waterfalls — the solid matter conventional biological filtration does not handle
• Fat breakdown: they utilize a wide range of organic compounds, including fats that cause unsightly surface films (typically a result of overfeeding)
• Survival in low oxygen: unlike traditional nitrifying bacteria, this blend adapts to harsh or low-oxygen environments and continues to multiply
• Biopolymers: once established, colonies produce biopolymers that trap particulates and increase water clarity
• Hardy strains: the blend was specifically developed for hardiness and its ability to adapt to a wide variety of environmental conditions

Directions (Seachem)

• Shake well before use
• Turn off UV and ozone before dosing
• Initial dose: 1 capful (5 mL) for each 40 L (10 US gallons)
• Maintenance dose: 1 capful (5 mL) per 80 L (20 US gallons) — with additions of livestock, or after disruption of the biofilter through cleaning or medications
• After antibiotics: remove residues with fresh carbon + a water change before adding bacteria
• UV/ozone: allow 2 or 3 days for the bacteria to become established before restarting
• Shelf life: 4 years from date of manufacture

The manufacturer adds a useful caution: recurring problems with high nutrients can indicate overstocking, overfeeding or inadequate filtration — Pristine treats the consequence, not the cause.

Available sizes and yield

At the maintenance dose of 5 mL per 80 L:

• 100 ml — about 20 maintenance doses. A trial size, or a nano tank dosed occasionally.
• 250 ml — about 50 doses. The versatile size for a medium tank on a regular routine.
• 500 ml — about 100 doses. For large systems, sump-equipped tanks, or several aquariums to maintain.

Rounding out your maintenance

• Seachem Stability — the direct complement: Stability establishes and maintains the nitrogen cycle, Pristine tackles solid organic matter. The manufacturer confirms they can be used together.
• Seachem Clarity — a flocculating clarifier: it clumps free-floating particulates, where Pristine removes them biologically
• Seachem MatrixCarbon — the activated carbon to use for removing antibiotic residues before dosing Pristine
• Seachem PhosGuard — to control the phosphate released by decomposing detritus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pristine and Stability?

The manufacturer is explicit: Pristine contains bacterial strains with a high affinity for larger proteins, such as sludge buildup on substrate, rocks and waterfalls. It also helps rid the tank of the oil slick on the water surface, typically a result of overfeeding. Stability targets the nitrogen cycle instead — ammonia and nitrite. Two distinct roles.

Can Pristine and Stability be used at the same time?

Yes. The manufacturer answers this one directly: both can be used together, each according to the instructions on its bottle.

Does Pristine work in salt water?

Yes. The bacteria species in Pristine thrive in fresh or salt water — that is a stated manufacturer characteristic, not an adaptation. The blend is designed to withstand a wide variety of conditions.