PolypLab Genesis Rock Booster Set | Live Bacteria + Ceramic Bio-Media Kit

The PolypLab Genesis Rock Booster Set is an all-in-one biological filtration upgrade for saltwater reef aquariums. Each kit pairs two Genesis Rock ceramic bio-media blocks — high-fired, ultra-porous ceramic with 23,000+ square feet of internal bacterial surface area per block — with a bottle of Genesis Bacteria to seed and supercharge them. Drop the blocks into your sump, refugium, or aquascape and you get a permanent home for both aerobic (nitrifying) and anaerobic (nitrate-reducing) bacteria, all in one set. Browse more reef essentials in our Saltwater Collection or stock up on water care in Maintenance & Water Care.

Why This Set

• Two Genesis Rock blocks — 100% ceramic compound fired at 600°+, will not break down or release silicates.
• 23,000+ sq ft of bacterial surface area per block, far more than equivalent live rock or basic bio-media.
• Genesis Bacteria included — a concentrated nitrifying / denitrifying culture pre-matched to seed the porous ceramic interior.
• Aerobic + anaerobic in one block — the outer surface processes ammonia and nitrite while the oxygen-starved interior reduces nitrate.
• Sump, refugium, sand bed, or aquascape — place anywhere with appropriate flow and let the bacteria do the work.
• Lasts for years — ceramic substrate does not need replacement under normal reef conditions.

How to Use

Initial seeding: Place both Genesis Rocks in a clean plastic container, cover with aquarium water, and add a dose of Genesis Bacteria. Let them soak for at least 12 hours so bacteria can colonize the ceramic interior. Then transfer the blocks to your tank, sump, or refugium.

Placement:

• Anaerobic (nitrate reduction): Place in a very low-flow, low-oxygen area — under sand, deep in the aquascape, or a quiet zone of the sump.
• Aerobic + anaerobic (general filtration): Place in a medium-flow area of the sump or display so the outer surface stays oxygenated while the core remains low-oxygen.

Ongoing dosing of Genesis Bacteria:

• Established system: 1 drop per 20 gallons of total system water volume, daily.
• Cycling a new system: 4 drops per 20 gallons daily for the first two weeks, then taper to maintenance dose.

Specifications

Recommended Pairings

• Premium Salt Mixes — mix fresh saltwater for soaking the blocks during initial seeding.
• Saltwater Refractometer — nail your salinity before adding the blocks to the display.
• Brightwell MicroBacter7 — complementary nitrifying bacteria for ongoing biofilter maintenance.
• PolypLab Reef-Primer Coral Dip — quarantine new corals before adding them to your now-supercharged reef.
• Water Test Kits — track ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate as the bacteria establish.

FAQ

Can I use Genesis Rock to cycle a brand-new tank?
Yes. Soak both blocks in saltwater with the included Genesis Bacteria for 12+ hours, then place them in the tank and dose 4 drops of bacteria per 20 gallons daily for two weeks while monitoring ammonia and nitrite.

Does this replace live rock?
Genesis Rock is a complement to (or replacement for) live rock as a biological filter. Many reefkeepers run an all-dry-rock aquascape and rely on Genesis Rock plus bottled bacteria for biological filtration — same job, no pests or hitchhikers.

Where exactly should I put the blocks?
For maximum nitrate reduction, place them in a low-flow, low-oxygen spot — deep in the rockwork, under the sand, or in a quiet sump chamber. For balanced aerobic + anaerobic filtration, put them in medium flow inside the sump or display.

Do the blocks ever need to be replaced?
No. The high-fired ceramic structure does not break down. As long as bacteria are dosed and the blocks are not damaged, they will keep providing surface area indefinitely.

Is this safe for fish, corals, and inverts?
Yes. The ceramic is inert and the Genesis Bacteria are reef-safe. No livestock impact when used as directed.