Instant Algae Info

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Phytoplankton posts by Rob Toonen

The following information was taken from the Reed Mariculture web site.

Home Aquariums / Reef Tanks

Home aquariums can be beautiful and exotic. They can also be expensive and finicky. Owners are constantly monitoring water conditions, chemical balances, and filtration so their expensive fish do not get sick.

So why are they so difficult to maintain? Part of the answer lies in the marine food chain. In the ocean there is a complete ecosystem, from the smallest microalgae to the largest fish and mammals. These all work together to naturally balance the water quality and chemistry. For example,

• Microalgae produce oxygen and filter metals out of the water. They also contain natural antibacterial properties.
• Filter feeders such as oysters and scallops clean and clarify the water.
• Live coral help to prevent the buildup of toxic gases such as ammonia.

In home aquariums we try to simulate these functions artificially. We use airlifts and air stones to add oxygen to the water. We have expensive filtration systems to keep the water clear. We add chemicals to stabilize other chemicals. And we wonder why it all breaks down sometimes.

One of the best solutions for stabilizing your aquarium is to add some of the missing layers of the marine food chain. By adding microalgae to your system you are able to start at the very bottom. You will be able to grow zooplankton for your fish and fish larvae, live corals which will add an entirely new and beautiful look to your system, and a wide variety of shellfish including exotics such as fire scallops. Not only will you be the envy of your friends and neighbors, all of the new elements will significantly help to stabilize your system.

The right microalgae cultures for your reef tank depends upon what you are growing:

Soft Corals : Nannochloropsis, Pavlova
Zooplankton (Rotifers, copepods, brine shrimp) : Nannochloropsis, T-ISO, Tetraselmis, Pavlova
Shellfish : Tetraselmis, T-ISO, Pavlova

Note - Inland Seafarm microalgae is not "live" so it will not add oxygen to your system. It also will not reproduce and cause an "algae bloom" in your system.

Directions

If this is your first time using Inland Seafarm Microalgae we suggest you start with a 100 ml squeeze bottle. Since each tank will have different animals you will need to determine your own optimal feeding portions. As a starting guide we recommend the following:

For a 100 gallon tank

• Remove 1 quart of water.
• Add 4 drops of "Instant Algae". This will make enough algae concentrate for 1 week.
• Stir until the microalgae concentrate disappears
• Turn off the foam skimmer - it will strip the algae out of the water.
• Add the algae culture to your tank. You can feed it daily or all at once. Each tank has different needs.
• Increase the amount of algae (number of drops) until your tank stops responding.

Another feeding alternative is to create an "I.V. Drip line". Place the quart bottle in a raised position above the tank and slowly drip the microalgae into the tank using a plastic tube with an adjustable clamp.

Either way, it is important not to overfeed your animals. As with any food, unused portions will start to break down and increase bacteria.

Cell sizes and counts will vary up to 20% depending on the time of the year and growing temperature. 
However, the biomass will always remain the same.

Proximate Analysis (% of dry weight from algae)

Instant Algae can be ordered at Brine Shrimp Direct.