Why Use APT Balance in a Planted Aquarium?

APT Balance is designed to support the biological processes that are essential for a stable planted aquarium.

It can be used when:

• Starting a new planted aquarium
• Cycling a new aquasoil tank
• Restoring microbial balance after filter cleaning
• Following a tank reset or major maintenance
• Adding new livestock
• Supporting an established aquarium through monthly maintenance
• Restoring beneficial bacteria when biological stability may have been disturbed

The dry-powder formulation is stable at room temperature and does not require refrigeration, making it particularly suitable for storage and transportation.

Designed for Aquasoil & Low-pH Aquariums

Modern aquasoils commonly soften aquarium water and reduce pH, creating conditions that are excellent for many aquatic plants but may be less suitable for some conventional bacterial formulations.

2Hr Aquarist APT Balance 25gm is specifically designed for these lower-pH planted aquarium environments.

Its resilient bacterial cultures remain stable in dry powder form until use and are formulated to function effectively in the acidic conditions commonly associated with aquasoil-based aquariums.

Sachet A: Nitrifying Bacteria

Sachet A contains a specialised blend of nitrifying microorganisms, including AOB and NOB bacteria such as Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, Nitrosococcus and Nitrospira species.

These microorganisms support the aquarium nitrogen cycle by helping convert:

Ammonia → Nitrite → Nitrate

This helps accelerate biological cycling and establishment of the aquarium’s nitrifying bacterial population.

Sachet A provides a bacterial concentration of more than 20 billion CFU per gram.

Sachet B: Waste-Digesting Bacteria

Sachet B contains a diverse blend of microorganisms selected to help break down organic waste and detritus.

The blend includes bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Bacillus subtilis, Alcaligenes, Actinomycota and Polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria (PABs).

These waste-digesting microorganisms help process organic material originating from plant detritus, animal waste and other biodegradable matter in the aquarium.

Sachet B also provides more than 20 billion CFU per gram

Benefits of 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance

• Helps accelerate biological cycling
• Supports nitrification and the aquarium nitrogen cycle
• Designed specifically for aquasoil-based planted aquariums
• Suitable for lower-pH and acidic aquarium environments
• Combines nitrifying and waste-digesting bacterial cultures
• Helps restore microbial balance following maintenance
• Dry powdered formulation for improved storage stability
• Does not require refrigeration
• Suitable for new and established planted aquariums
• Can be used during monthly aquarium maintenance
• Safe to add to established aquariums containing livestock when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions

APT Balance Dosage

Use:

1 Sachet A + 1 Sachet B per approximately 100 litres / 26 US gallons of aquarium water.

For smaller aquariums, use a proportionate amount

How to Use APT Balance in an Established Aquarium

APT Balance can also be used to restore or reinforce microbial balance in an established aquarium.

Consider adding APT Balance:

• Approximately once per month
• After cleaning the aquarium filter
• Following a tank reset
• After major aquarium maintenance
• After introducing new animals
• Whenever microbial balance needs to be restored

Important: Turn off any UV sterilizer for 24 hours after adding APT Balance.

APT Balance can be added directly to an established aquarium containing livestock when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions

APT Balance and Aquarium Stability

APT Balance can accelerate nitrification and biological cycling, but a mature aquarium ecosystem involves much more than measurable ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

Even when cycling appears to progress quickly, allowing sufficient time for a diverse microbial community to establish helps create a more biologically stable aquarium.

For a newly established aquarium, allow adequate maturation time before introducing fish, shrimp or other livestock.

APT Balance vs Conventional Liquid Bacteria

APT Balance differs from many conventional liquid bacterial supplements in two important ways

Designed for Lower-pH Conditions

APT Balance is formulated specifically for the softer and more acidic environments commonly created by aquasoils.

Stable Dry-Powder Formulation

The bacterial cultures are supplied in dry powder form rather than as a conventional liquid preparation.

This provides greater resilience during transportation and storage and allows APT Balance to be stored at normal room temperature without refrigeration.

When Should You Use APT Balance?

APT Balance is particularly useful for:

• New planted aquarium setup
• Aquasoil aquarium cycling
• Dark Start aquarium cycling
• Restoring bacteria after filter maintenance
• Monthly microbial maintenance
• Aquarium resets
• After significant maintenance or water changes
• Establishing microbial balance after introducing new livestock

For new aquariums started with 2Hr Aquarist APT Start, APT Balance can subsequently be used to support ongoing microbial balance

APT Start and APT Balance

APT Start and APT Balance perform different but complementary roles in a new planted aquarium.

APT Start is primarily used during the initial aquarium setup to enrich the substrate and introduce starter bacteria.

APT Balance is added to the aquarium water to support nitrification, microbial diversity and ongoing biological stability.

For a new planted aquarium, start with 2Hr Aquarist APT Start during substrate setup and use 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance according to the recommended startup and maintenance schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

H3 — What is 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance?

2Hr Aquarist APT Balance is a dry powdered beneficial bacteria supplement designed for planted aquariums, particularly tanks using aquasoil and lower-pH water. It combines nitrifying bacteria with waste-digesting microorganisms to support cycling and microbial balance.

H3 — How much APT Balance should I use?

Use approximately 1 Sachet A + 1 Sachet B per 100 litres / 26 US gallons of aquarium water. For smaller aquariums, use a proportionate quantity.

H3 — Is APT Balance suitable for aquasoil tanks?

Yes. APT Balance is specifically designed for the lower-pH and acidic conditions commonly created by modern aquasoils.

H3 — Can APT Balance be used in an established aquarium?

Yes. APT Balance can be used monthly, after filter cleaning, following a tank reset, after adding new livestock or whenever microbial balance needs additional support.

H3 — Should the UV sterilizer be switched off when using APT Balance?

Yes. Turn off the UV sterilizer for 24 hours after adding APT Balance so that the bacterial cultures have time to establish.

H3 — Does APT Balance need refrigeration?

No. APT Balance uses resilient bacterial cultures in dry powder form and can be stored at normal room temperature.

H3 — What is the difference between Sachet A and Sachet B?

Sachet A contains nitrifying bacteria that support conversion of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. Sachet B contains waste-digesting bacteria that help process organic detritus and animal waste.

H3 — Is APT Balance the same as APT Start?

No. APT Start is primarily a substrate enrichment and starter-bacteria product used during initial aquarium setup. APT Balance is a microbial supplement used in the aquarium water for cycling, microbial restoration and ongoing maintenance.

Learn More About 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance

For additional technical information and manufacturer guidance:

Official 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance Product Information

Inside Sachet A is a specially formulated blend of nitrifying microbes, including AOB and NOB nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp., Nitrosococcus sp., Nitrospira sp., It is designed to accelerate tank cycling and the breakdown of Ammonia into Nitrites and into Nitrates. >20 Billion CFUs per gram.

Waste Digesting Bacteria

Stability