Phytoplankton is a vital part of the diet of many reef aquarium organisms. They are produced in the sea and are rapidly removed by grazing animals and by export devices. How much phytoplankton is required to maintain a level similar to that of natural seawater is unclear. It is probably significant, though, given that algae “blooms” occur in an aquarium during specific times of the year and are capped by grazing conditions.
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Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton is one of the most important food groups for most corals. This naturally occurring marine food is eaten by many coral species and octocorals. Several species are commercially available as foods for your reef aquarium. You can choose to use live, frozen, or dry phytoplankton. Phytoplankton comes in a variety of forms, including powders and suspensions.
Phytoplankton is a type of algae that is present in the water. They are microscopic organisms that are at the base of the food chain. They produce half of the oxygen in the water and are responsible for a green discoloration. They rely on other elements in the water for their survival, including the presence of oxygen. If they did not exist, larger organisms would not have a food source.
Phytoplankton is rich in N and P. It also permits photosynthesis. Without phytoplankton in the water, it would be difficult to see the coral and would result in a reduced visibility and phytosynthesis. By supplementing the water with these valuable nutrients, you are supplying the corals with the extra nutrition they need. You’ll feel great knowing that you’re doing the right thing for your reef.
Synechococcus sp.
Phytoplankton, such as Synechococcus sp, is the main source of nutrition for corals. Their high chlorophyll a content and large size make them ideal for use as coral food. They are also very resilient and can survive extreme changes in water temperature. However, a recent study has found that the two species can have very different nutritional values, and this has led to controversy about their use as coral food.
AlgaGen LLC is a company founded by Erik Stenn, a Marine Microbial Ecology graduate from Oregon State University. He has been involved in marine aquaculture projects around the world and founded AlgaGen in 2002. The company boasts one of the largest publicly available culture collections of copepods. It is also an active partner in the production of Sea Horses and Tuna, and has done extensive research on coral health and growth.
Oyster-Feast
The name Oyster-Feast implies that it is composed of both ovarian tissue and oyster eggs. Both are naturally sized for feeding SPS and LPS corals, and are rich in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. While oyster eggs are larger, the ovarian tissue contains similar nutrition, but is much smaller in particle size. It is important to keep these two items separate because they are best fed to corals in different dosages.
Reef Nutrition cultivates their algae in a unique method known as Reed Mariculture. The algae are harvested live every week and packed at the farm. Phyto is induced to enter a “quiescent” state, which reduces its metabolic activity and respiration. This process protects the nutritional value of the algae by preserving the integrity of cell membranes. Not all algae species are equally hardy, but the process used to grow this product keeps the algae’s nutritional value intact.
TDO Chroma BOOST size A
Reef Nutrition’s TDO Chroma Boost is an oyster-feast-style granulated or pelleted fish food containing Haematococcus, a superb source of astaxanthin. This top-dressed mix of nutrients is perfect for finnicky corals and fish. It’s formulated with superior nutrition and 400 ppm of astaxanthin, and will keep your corals healthy and happy.
This nutrient-rich marine algae blend contains the right proportions of phytoplankton to support healthy growth of your corals. Reef Nutrition also offers a variety of live starter cultures that contain rotifers and copepods for maximum coral growth. The TDO Chroma Boost size A phytoplankton coral food comes in convenient, single-use packets. It also offers shelf-stable forms of four-species Phyto2 and two-species S.E.L.C.O., and the popular Two Little Fishies brand of shelf-stable algae.
TDO Chroma Boost size A phytoplankton is a good choice for reef aquariums because it provides a balanced diet for many types of corals. It is a great way to condition water and increase the productivity of corals. It also traps heavy metals, binds excess nutrients, and absorbs CO2 and other gases. It’s also an excellent food for certain corals and sponges.
