Biobooster+ and Bactogen: why this duo works and how to use it in your pond

At the counter, the question often comes up in this form: “I already have bacteria, so why am I also being advised to use Biobooster?” The answer can be summed up with an image. Bacteria are workers. But they still need an accessible work site and something to work on. Biobooster+ prepares the ground and stimulates the microbial life already present; Bactogen adds new bacteria that settle in the filter and on the bottom. Together, they work faster and for longer than either product alone.

Two products, two different roles

In a pond, organic matter (waste, leftover food, leaves, dead algae) is broken down by a wide variety of microorganisms. Some live in suspension, some in the filter, and others in the bottom sludge. Their effectiveness depends on their numbers, but also on conditions: oxygen, temperature, minerals, and how accessible the waste is.

The principle is simple: Biobooster+ “gets the work site ready” by boosting microbial activity and loosening organic matter, then Bactogen provides a large bacterial population that immediately finds something to feed on. This day-before / following-day sequence is the one the manufacturer explicitly recommends to speed up the bacteria’s purifying effect.

The typical combined treatment process

Before starting, check three things. The water temperature must be above 10 °C. KH and pH must be within a suitable range: Aquatic Science recommends checking and correcting them if necessary, because bacteria do not work well in water without carbonates. Finally, switch off the UV during treatment so it does not destroy the bacteria in suspension.

Day 1: Biobooster+. Distribute the dose corresponding to your volume over the surface. In the hours that follow, it is common to see organic deposits detach and rise to the surface. The manufacturer also recommends collecting them with a net or letting the skimmer do its job: this is material removed from the pond, and therefore fewer nutrients for algae.

Day 2: Bactogen. After shaking the product well, distribute it where the water circulates best, for example at the outlet of a waterfall or in front of the pump intake. The dosage indicated by the manufacturer is 2 scoops per 5 m³, 3 to 4 times per month.

In the following weeks, continue using Bactogen for maintenance, and renew Biobooster+ according to the pond's condition: more often in spring and after sludge has accumulated, and less often when everything is stable.

Choosing the right size

Both products are available in several sizes, calculated according to the volume of water to be treated: 3, 6, 12, 24 and 40 m³, with combined packs for 6, 12, 24 and 40 m³. If you do not know your volume, a simple calculation gives you a rough estimate: length × width × average depth, all multiplied by a coefficient of approximately 0.6 to 0.8 for a pond with rounded shapes and shelves. A pond measuring 5 m by 3 m, with an average depth of one metre, therefore often contains around 10 to 12 m³. Always round up to the next size.

What the duo does not replace

No bacteria can compensate for an overcrowded pond, an undersized pump, or food being dispensed by the handful. The manufacturer itself presents these products as part of a broader approach that includes quality nutrition. If the sludge layer is several centimetres thick, vacuuming before treatment can save weeks. And if the pond is highly exposed to sunlight without plants, green water may return until this balance is corrected.

Common case: a pond of around ten cubic meters, with a filter that clogs every week and a bottom covered in sludge. After vacuuming, a Biobooster+ then Bactogen sequence, and raising the KH from 4 to 8 °dH, cleaning the foams can often be spaced out to once every two weeks. Nothing spectacular in one day, but a real difference over the season.

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Frequently asked questions

— Can Bactogen be used without Biobooster+?

Yes, Bactogen can be used alone for maintenance. Biobooster+ the day before simply accelerates its effectiveness, especially when the pond is heavily laden with sludge.

— Why apply Biobooster+ the day before rather than on the same day?

This is the sequence recommended by the manufacturer: the organic matter is first made more accessible, then the added bacteria immediately find material to work on.

— Is the duo suitable for a pond with koi?

Yes, the manufacturer presents both products as safe for fish and filtration when used at the indicated doses.

— Should the UV lamp be switched off during treatment?

Yes, switch it off during the treatment period so it does not destroy the bacteria in suspension, then switch it back on.

In summary

• Biobooster+ stimulates and breaks down organic matter; Bactogen seeds and maintains.
• Recommended sequence: Biobooster+ the day before, Bactogen the next day, with water above 10 °C.
• Check the KH and pH beforehand, and switch off the UV during treatment.
• Choose the format according to the actual volume, rounding up.
• The duo complements good pond management; it does not replace it.

Last updated: September 29, 2026.