Red Sea Marine Care Reef Mature Starter Kit

Description

Red Sea Marine Care Reef Mature Starter Kit — Four-bottle 21-day biological maturation program for 250 litres

Most cycling products stop at the bacteria that turn ammonia into nitrate; this kit keeps going. Red Sea Marine Care Reef Mature Starter Kit (SKU: RED314) is Red Sea’s complete biological maturation program for new reef and marine aquariums, establishing full nitrification plus nitrate and phosphate reduction over about three weeks, for systems up to 250 L. The box holds four 100 mL bottles: Nitro-Bac, a concentrated blend of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria spores; Bacto-Start, nitrogen and phosphorus components that mimic the waste of a stocked tank; NO3:PO4-X, the carbon complex that feeds nutrient-reducing bacteria; and KH Coralline Gro, a marine buffer with the trace elements coralline algae need.

Red Sea’s manual runs the program day by day. The tank is set up with 33 to 35 ppt salinity, 26 to 28 °C, aragonite sand, a skimmer and no nutrient-removing media; bacteria and Bacto-Start go in on day two, with 3 mL of NO3:PO4-X per 100 L every day and alkalinity held at 8.4 dKH with KH Coralline Gro. Water changes fall on days 7, 14 and 21, clean-up crew on day 10, first herbivore on day 14, and by day 22 the system is, in Red Sea’s words, biologically ready for stocking all animals including delicate SPS corals. The Marine Care test kit (RED313) covers the readings.

Usage & Application

When to Use

• New marine aquariums: Any reef or fish-only system up to 250 L on its first fill.
• Dry rock and sand starts: Systems without live rock that need bacteria seeded and fed.
• Reefs planned for SPS: Where nitrate and phosphate control must be in place before corals arrive.
• Restarting a system: After a complete rebuild or a long period without livestock.

Dosing & Administration Guide

• Day 1: Fill to 33–35 ppt at 26–28 °C, run the skimmer and circulation, lights 10 hours, no supplements or livestock.
• Days 2–3: Per 100 L, Nitro-Bac 20 mL then 10 mL, Bacto-Start 10 mL, NO3:PO4-X 3 mL daily; buffer to 8.4 dKH with KH Coralline Gro.
• Days 4–21: NO3:PO4-X 3 mL daily and KH Coralline Gro to a four-day calculated dose; 5 per cent water changes on days 7, 14 and 21; clean-up crew day 10, first herbivore day 14.
• Day 22 onward: Stock gradually, test weekly, continue NO3:PO4-X to the bottle chart; reefs switch to Foundation B before adding stony corals.

Product Specifications & Highlights

Key Features

• Complete maturation: Nitrification plus nitrate and phosphate reduction, not ammonia conversion alone.
• Four coordinated bottles: Nitro-Bac, Bacto-Start, NO3:PO4-X, KH Coralline Gro.
• Treats 250 L: One kit for a typical home reef system.
• Day-by-day manual: A 21-day schedule with tests and milestones.
• Ready for SPS: Red Sea’s stated end point after day 22.

Product Details

• Brand: Red Sea
• SKU: RED314
• Barcode (GTIN/EAN): 7290100774144
• Product Type: Additives & Supplements > Aquarium Cycling & Bacteria
• Kit Contents: 4 × 100 mL — Nitro-Bac, Bacto-Start, NO3:PO4-X, KH Coralline Gro
• System Size: Up to 250 L
• Program Length: About 21 days, stocking from day 22
• Setup Conditions: 33–35 ppt, 26–28 °C, aragonite sand, protein skimmer, no nutrient-removing media
• Testing: pH, KH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate (Marine Care Multi Test Kit, RED313)
• Follow-On: Reef Care Program Foundation and NO3:PO4-X
• Target Environment: New marine reef and fish-only aquariums