Food Diversity

BioPlankton contains three different strains of marine algae. A one cell size fits all approach only allows you to feed a limited number of planktonic consumers. The table below describes the variety of size particles contained within the three strains of algae. Mariculture professionals use multiple algae in order to maximize the growth and reproductivity of target organisms. BioPlankton's formulation insures that you can provide the necessary planktonic nutrition to a range of direct and indirect consumers.  

Feed Density

Mariculturists describe the amount of food present in two terms, Feed Density and Contact Time. To evoke a feeding response algae must be present in sufficient quantities to alert the target organism to begin food capture activity. When algae is present in sufficient numbers, organisms come into greater contact with food and the chances of capturing and digesting a passing cell increase. If the energy expenditure of capturing a passing cell is greater than the amount of nutrition taken in from feeding, the organism is in a deficit situation. In order for a feed to be of benefit to the marine food web, it must be present in sufficient numbers to insure that the energy spent on food capture is replaced by a nutritional adequate feed.  

However, there is an inverse relationship to overfeeding. BioPlankton is a powerfully concentrated algae feed. Currently, our feed has the highest cell concentration available among retail algae feeds. As with any food, overfeeding can cause excessive nutrient buildup and fouling. Because BioPlankton is a professional grade feed, we advise that aquarists start slowly and increase the amount of feed available through a period of weeks. As your aquarium becomes accustomed to planktonic food, you will increase your population density and diversity of filter feeders, zooplankton and their consumers.

Use the food chart below to indicate how much algae to feed your reef:

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