{"product_id":"blueshark-oxycore-aerobic-zone","title":"BlueShark OxyCore Aerobic Zone","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDEEP CORE NITRIFICATION\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"lead\"\u003eAmmonia is the silent killer in aquariums. Every fish you add, every piece of food left uneaten, produces ammonia that will accumulate and turn toxic within days in a tank without a working biological filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour biological filter IS your colony of nitrifying bacteria — microscopic organisms that convert ammonia into nitrite, then nitrite into harmless nitrate. But these bacteria need the right home: a rough, porous, oxygenated surface where they can anchor, form their protective biofilm (slime matrix), and grow undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost bio-media fails this test.\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth plastic bio-balls\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003egive bacteria nothing to grip — water flow sweeps early colonies away.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTiny-pored ceramics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epost impressive surface area numbers based on gas tests, but the pores are smaller than a bacterium.\u003cspan\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eCarbon\u003c\/strong\u003e is interchangeable, the worst fit possible.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOxyCore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis engineered specifically for how nitrifying bacteria actually behave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTHE THREE STAGES OF BIOFILM FORMATION\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eOxyCore's rough, irregular surface gives bacteria's attachment structures (pili) something to physically grip, sheltering them in crevices until their bond strengthens — where smooth media lets current sweep them away before they can anchor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eOnce attached, bacteria secrete EPS, a sticky biological glue that cements the colony, traps nutrients, and recruits new bacteria. OxyCore's texture creates far more EPS anchoring points than smooth alternatives, accelerating biofilm establishment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eA mature biofilm on OxyCore's convoluted surface develops 2–10× more active area than a flat one, keeping more bacteria exposed to oxygen-rich water — making every stage of colonization faster, denser, and more durable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse 50 grams (1\/4 cup) to treat 50 gal (200 L) of marine water or 100 gal (400 L) freshwater. Place in canister filter chamber or filter bag where necessary in other filtration systems. Keep OxyCore clean with Blue Shark Outbreak! Waste Control.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BlueShark","offers":[{"title":"260g","offer_id":58400672678271,"sku":"715123","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"520g","offer_id":58400672711039,"sku":"715124","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0963\/5420\/6079\/files\/Oxy-Core.webp?v=1789037304","url":"https:\/\/finestaquatics.co.uk\/products\/blueshark-oxycore-aerobic-zone","provider":"Finest Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}