What MICROBE-LIFT does

MICROBE-LIFT is the consumer product brand of Ecological Laboratories, Inc., a privately held U.S. biotechnology company founded in 1976 that develops, produces, and markets beneficial bacterial and microbial formulations for water quality, odor control, and environmental treatment. The company operates from a 75,000+ sq ft laboratory and production campus in Cape Coral, Florida, with a corporate office in Island Park, New York, staffed by PhD and Masters-level microbiologists and chemists. Manufacturing relies on proprietary Multi-Stage Fermentation Processes using bacterial strains maintained in two in-house ELI Culture Banks, with a hydrogen-sulfide shelf-life technology that keeps cultures dormant until activation and a clean-room packaging environment with positive-pressure HEPA filtration.

The core catalog spans roughly 50 SKUs across eight use cases: pond and water garden (the flagship MICROBE-LIFT/PL water clarifier plus algae control, sludge removal, nitrification, fish health, and fish food lines), home aquarium, septic and cesspool treatment, lawn and garden (ZERO1, ZERO2, Plant Builder, Thatch Remover), backyard chicken coop cleaning, pet odor and stain removal, equine facilities, and birdbath/fountain care. EPA-registered Biological Mosquito Control (BMC) is the company's regulated product line. The flagship MICROBE-LIFT PL is described as the #1 water clarifier asked for by name in the pond industry.

Revenue is generated through a multi-channel go-to-market: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at microbelift.com (free shipping over $50), a nationwide network of more than 255 retail dealer locations with a dedicated dealer support portal, selective Amazon marketplace presence for the equine line, and international distribution partnerships (SIBO Fluidra Netherlands for Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia; Ecological-Asia for Asia). Products are priced between approximately $5 and $100 per unit. The company describes itself as family-owned and operated, with Barry Richter serving as President; no institutional or private equity investment is indicated.

Name

MICROBE-LIFT

Legal name

Ecological Laboratories, Inc.

Website

https://microbelift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

MICROBE-LIFT (Ecological Laboratories, Inc.) is a U.S. manufacturer of proprietary beneficial bacterial and microbial products sold to pond owners, aquarium hobbyists, and households for water quality, odor control, and environmental treatment through e-commerce, a 255+ dealer network, and international distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Treatment & Specialty Biologicals

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural) (IMAEAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Microbial/Biological Control (Beneficial Bacteria/Fungi/Viruses) (HSAMALAB)

Keywords

• Beneficial bacterial products
• Pond water treatment
• Aquarium biological care
• Septic system treatment
• Biological odor control

Headquarters

HQ city

Island Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consumer Product Sales: Microbe-Lift generates revenue through the sale of biological microbial products for water quality, clarity, and environmental treatment. Products are sold directly to consumers via e-commerce and through retail dealer networks, with pricing ranging from approximately $5 to $100 depending on product type and size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MICROBE-LIFT manufactures and sells proprietary beneficial bacterial and microbial products designed to improve water quality and biological balance in ponds, water gardens, and aquariums, to treat septic systems and cesspools, to support lawn and garden health, and to control odors in pet, poultry, and equine environments. The brand operates through its own e-commerce store, an authorized dealer network, online marketplaces, and international distributors.

Product overview

MICROBE-LIFT, manufactured by Ecological Laboratories, Inc., is a comprehensive line of beneficial bacterial and microbial products for water quality management, odor control, and environmental cleaning. The core product is MICROBE-LIFT PL, the flagship water clarifier that serves as the #1 water clarifier for ponds. The portfolio includes pond and water garden products (algae control, sludge removers, water clarifiers, fish health treatments, fish food), home aquarium products, septic system treatments, lawn and garden products (ZERO1, ZERO2, Lawn Conditioner, Plant Builder), animal care products (chicken coop cleaner, equine deodorizers, pet odor removers), and birdbath/fountain cleaners. The products utilize proprietary microbial cultures and multi-stage fermentation processes to naturally break down organic matter, reduce ammonia, and maintain clean environments without toxic chemicals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MICROBE-LIFT/PL: The #1 water clarifier for ponds, containing numerous efficient strains of beneficial bacteria for creating clean and clear pond water.
• Microbe Life Hydroponics
• Quantum Growth
• Pro Pump

Products and services

• MICROBE-LIFT PL Pond Water Clarifier

Quantifiable outcome

• Treats 80 gal. pond for 11 months or 200 gal. pond for 8 months with 16 oz. PL product
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered regional.

• SIBO Fluidra NetherlandsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIBO Fluidra Netherlands serves as the distributor for Microbe-Lift Pond products across Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia markets. Contact via [email protected].
• Goh Kwang Beng (Ecological-Asia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Microbe-Lift/Ecological Laboratories in the Asia market as regional office contact. Handles inquiries for Asian distribution partnerships.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Laguna (Rolf C. Hagen): Laguna is Rolf C. Hagen's dedicated pond and water garden brand offering water treatments, filtration, and pond accessories. Directly comparable to Microbe-Lift's pond category across clarifiers, sludge removers, and water quality products sold through the same independent pond/pet dealer channel.
• API (Mars Fishcare): API, owned by Mars Fishcare, is one of the largest aquarium water treatment brands (Tap Water Conditioner, Stress Coat, Master Test Kit) and also sells pond treatments. Directly comparable on water conditioner chemistry, broad hobbyist retail distribution, and consumer pond/aquarium positioning.
• Aquascape, Inc. Aquascape designs and sells ecosystem pond, water feature, and pond-care products including beneficial bacteria treatments. Comparable to Microbe-Lift on the broader water garden category, with both companies supplying independent pond dealers and ecosystem-oriented hobbyists.
• Kent Marine: Kent Marine produces specialty water care products for freshwater, saltwater, and reef aquariums. Comparable to Microbe-Lift on formulation-led water conditioners and additives for advanced hobbyists, with overlapping beneficial-bacteria and trace/buffer product lines.
• CrystalClear: CrystalClear offers pond and water garden treatments including clarifiers, sludge removers, and bacteria products. Directly comparable to Microbe-Lift on the pond water treatment subcategory with overlapping SKUs and similar dealer-based distribution.
• Seachem Laboratories: Seachem is a science-driven manufacturer of water conditioners, treatments, and beneficial bacterial supplements for freshwater and marine aquariums. Directly comparable to Microbe-Lift on chemistry-led water treatment, professional hobbyist positioning, and multi-product bacterial/nitrifying lines.
• Kordon (Novalek, Inc.): Novalek manufactures Kordon-branded pond and aquarium products including water treatments, disease remedies, and water clarifiers. Closely comparable to Microbe-Lift in product scope (pond + aquarium + disease treatment), independent/specialty positioning, and dealer-based distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra (Spectrum Brands): Tetra, part of Spectrum Brands' pet care portfolio, is a broad aquarium and pond brand covering food, equipment, and water treatments. A larger incumbent peer that overlaps with Microbe-Lift on water conditioners and pond clarifiers but competes as a mass-market CPG brand rather than specialty/scientific.
• OASE Group: OASE is a European-headquartered broad incumbent in water gardens, fountains, and pond care including biological water treatments. Comparable to Microbe-Lift on the water garden treatment category and EPA-style regulatory positioning, but operates at larger scale and broader product portfolio across hardware and consumables.

Emerging players

• BioSafe Systems: BioSafe Systems manufactures EPA-registered biological and microbial products for agriculture, horticulture, and water treatment. Comparable to Microbe-Lift on the proprietary microbial formulation technology and EPA-registered adjacencies, though focused more on commercial/agricultural channels than consumer pond/hobbyist.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/microbelift
• Xx.com/microbelift
• Facebookfacebook.com/microbeliftproducts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MICROBE-LIFT