Frequently Asked Questions

Is your algae alive?

No, BioPlankton is a preserved feed. Live algae has a life cycle. To continue to grow algae, it must be given a specific type of fertilizer to provide optimum growing conditions. The fertilizer used to grow algae would have a negative impact in the aquarium. By preserving our algae, and then centrifuging the growing medium out, we eliminate any nitrate and phosphorus from the algae. In addition, the quality of live algae changes in response to environmental factors like temperature, light, and nutrient availability. Live algae cells continue to engage in biological processes. Algae that is stored with no light and food available to maintain their growth, is known to consume its own energy reserves to stay alive. Live algae that has consumed its own energy stores is nutritionally less valuable. By preserving our BioPlankton, we maintain a predictable nutritional profile. Therefore, when you purchase our product, and store it in your freezer, you are assured of feeding a nutritionally sound algae diet to your saltwater aquarium.

Why does BioPlankton contain the algae strains it does?

Mixed algae diets have resulted in higher survival rate, and faster development of certain larval organisms. To feed the myriad of planktonic consumers, BioPlankton has always contained multiple algae strains to insure that a variety of nutritional profiles are available. In marine aquaria, the value of microalgal species is heavily dependent on the content of PUFAs, specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6). In the past 20 years the necessity of the DHA and EPA has been proven extensively in the culturing of marine organisms. These two PUFAs contribute to the energy, growth, and reproductive activities of marine fish.

According to a published report conducted by the CSIRO Division of Fisheries in Australia, the Eustigmatohyceae class of algae (Nannochloropsis) has a strong EPA profile, but does not contain DHA. Based on the data published in aquaculture research, we chose a Haptophceae class of algae called Isochyrsis to boost the DHA content of BioPlankton. In aquaculture Isochyrsis is widely used as a mariculture feed due to its superior lipid content. In aquaria it is of specific benefit to Tridacna clams and is a great benefit to fish in prevention of stress deaths.

We chose not to use the Chlorophyte algae, Chlorella, due to its low nutritional profile. Instead we rely on Tetraselmis, a Prasinophyceae algae that has the larger cell size of 8-16 microns, and a better nutritional profile than Chlorella because of its moderate contents of both EPA and DHA.

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