OC-K Microbe Nutrient – Bacterial Growth Fuel 🔬🌿

Microbes are only as good as their core nutrition. 

OC-K nutrient is a carefully formulated blend that provides essential nutrients and fuel sources for bacterial growth. It contains a balanced mix of amino acids, nitrogen, proteins, phosphorus, and both macro and micro elements—all of which are necessary for optimal bacterial propagation.

Key Benefits:

1. Complete Nutrient Profile 🌾
   OC-K supplies a broad spectrum of nutrients, including:

   • BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) to support bacterial metabolism.
   • Direct carbon source to fuel bacterial growth and enhance efficiency.
   • Amino acids and proteins for sustained bacterial activity.

2. Critical for Pond-Side Culturing ⚗️
   OC-K is essential for culturing beneficial bacteria pond-side, such as NCOMP and PRB, allowing users to multiply bacterial populations on-site. This cost-effective method enables large-scale applications without the need for excessive product use.

3. Organic & Alcohol-Free 🍃
   Unlike some bacterial fuels, OC-K is entirely organic and does not contain alcohol-based compounds, ensuring it is safe for aquatic life and the surrounding environment.

Recommended Dosing:  

• Aquaculture: 50ml per 1000L of water.

Effective for supporting bacterial growth in both routine applications and pond-side culturing.

• Aquarium: 1ml per 100L of water

Effective as a starting dose for in tank dosing for support of microbes and control of Nitrate and Phosphate.  

Want to Know More?

Traditional VSV dosing—typically based on a blend of simple organic compounds—delivers a rapid source of organic carbon that fuels heterotrophic bacterial metabolism, leading to a burst of CO₂ that supports autotrophic processes. While effective at providing immediate energy, this approach supplies little beyond a fast-acting carbon source.

Our custom mix is formulated to deliver a similar organic carbon input (approximately 1 mL per 100 L of water, or about 115–130 mg of organic carbon) while introducing a broader spectrum of nutrients. In addition to carbon, the mix provides amino acids, organic nitrogen, vitamins, and a range of trace and minor minerals—including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, and iron. This enhanced nutrient profile supports a balanced microbial ecosystem and promotes optimal coral health.

Dosing Strategy

• Traditional VSV: ~1 mL per 100 L delivers around 120–140 mg of organic carbon.
• Custom Mix: ~1 mL per 100 L delivers roughly 105–125 mg of organic carbon.

Despite the custom mix supplying slightly less carbon by volume, its additional nutrients compensate by fostering a more resilient microbial community and improved coral nutrition. The recommended dose is therefore approximately 1 mL per 100 L per day.

Overview

Traditional VSV dosing—typically based on a blend of simple organic compounds—delivers a rapid source of organic carbon that fuels heterotrophic bacterial metabolism. These bacteria produce CO₂, which benefits autotrophic organisms such as coral symbionts. While effective at providing immediate energy, this approach supplies little beyond a fast-acting carbon source.

Our custom mix is formulated to deliver nearly equivalent organic carbon levels—approximately 1 mL per 100 L of water (about 115–130 mg of organic carbon)—while also introducing a broader spectrum of nutrients. In addition to carbon, the mix provides amino acids, organic nitrogen, vitamins, and a range of trace and minor minerals including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, and iron. This enhanced nutrient profile supports a balanced microbial ecosystem and promotes optimal coral health.

Dosing Strategy

• Traditional VSV: ~1 mL per 100 L delivers around 120–140 mg of organic carbon.
• Custom Mix: ~1 mL per 100 L delivers roughly 105–125 mg of organic carbon.

Although the custom mix delivers a slightly lower carbon input by volume, its additional nutrients help create a more balanced ecosystem. The recommended dose is therefore approximately 1 mL per 100 L per day.

Comprehensive Nutrient Breakdown

The table below summarizes the estimated nutrient contributions per 1 mL dose (per 100 L of aquarium water) for both a traditional VSV formulation and our custom mix. Values are presented as approximate ranges:

Note: These values are provided as general guidelines. Due to the inherent variability of organic supplements, actual nutrient compositions may differ slightly between batches.

Nutritional & Metabolic Advantages

Equivalent Organic Carbon Input

Both systems deliver a similar level of organic carbon (~105–140 mg per 1 mL dose), ensuring that heterotrophic bacteria receive sufficient energy for rapid metabolism and CO₂ production.

Enhanced Nutritional Support with the Custom Mix

• Amino Acids / Peptides:
  The custom mix supplies an additional 20–30 mg per dose, providing essential building blocks for microbial growth and coral tissue repair.
• Organic Nitrogen:
  An extra 8–12 mg supports protein synthesis and the development of microbial biomass.
• Vitamins:
  Although present in small amounts (1–5 mg), vitamins are crucial for enzymatic functions and stress resistance.
• Trace & Minor Minerals:
  • Phosphorus & Potassium: Each provided in the range of 1–3 mg, aiding in energy transfer and cellular signaling.
  • Calcium & Magnesium: Each supplied at 1–3 mg, vital for skeletal formation and enzymatic activity.
  • Strontium & Iron: Present at 0.5–1 mg each, supporting calcification and cellular metabolism.
  • Other Trace Minerals: Additional minor elements (around 1–2 mg total) such as zinc, copper, and manganese further support overall enzymatic processes.

Overall Ecosystem Benefits

By delivering a well-rounded nutrient profile that goes beyond simple organic carbon, the custom mix:

• Fosters a diverse and resilient microbial community.
• Enhances autotrophic performance by better supporting symbiotic algae.
• Improves coral growth and stress resistance through comprehensive nutritional support.

Conclusion

Our custom mix offers reef aquarists an advanced dosing strategy that matches the organic carbon input of traditional VSV dosing (approximately 1 mL per 100 L) while delivering significant added benefits. With extra amino acids, organic nitrogen, vitamins, and a broad spectrum of trace and minor minerals, this dual-action approach fuels rapid heterotrophic metabolism and supports overall reef health.

This comprehensive nutrient dosing strategy is ideal for promoting a balanced, nutrient-rich environment that enhances both microbial and coral performance. The values provided serve as general guidelines—actual compositions may vary due to the nature of organic supplements.