Reef Nutrition's popular Tigger-Pods® (live Tigriopus californicus copepods) are cultured using our own nutritious marine algae in our biosecure facility. Tigger-Pods are attractive large red copepods that swim upwards with a stimulating, jerky swimming motion which is attractive to both fish and people. Finicky fish love them!

Tigger-Pods are perfect for culturing and restocking reeftanks & refugiums, as well as an excellent feed for fish, including mandarins and pipefish. They breed rapidly producing hundreds of eggs per female.

Features & Benefits:

Tigger-Pods are great for...

Propagation
Increasing Bio-Diversity
Restocking of Reef Refugiums

Use & Storage:

Care and Feeding

Copepods are relatively easy to care for and maintain. They feed primarily on microalgae and can be fed our phytoplankton-based product blends such as Phyto-Feast.

Copepods can live in your main tank, your refugium, or in a separate dedicated system. In your main tank, they will be eaten and depleted by your fish and corals. In your refugium they will thrive since there are no predators. Pods from your refugium can be periodically harvest and fed to your main tank.

Copepods like to remain inconspicuous, so they will prefer an environment with nooks and crannies. In your main tank they will hide in your live rock and gravel. In your refugium they will hide in your macroalgae and other plants.

Directions for Feeding while in the 6 oz bottle

If you are going to keep them in the bottles for an extended period, remove the lid to increase oxygen in the water and put them in a refrigerator between 34 and 40 F. At this temperature their metabolism will slow, and they require very little oxygen or food. Alternatively, store the bottle in a cool place with the lid removed and feed them 1 drop of Phyto-Feast every other day. This method is for short-term because of waste build-up in the bottle.

Directions for Feeding in a refugium

Add 1 TSP (5mls) of Phyto-Feast per 25 gallons of refugium water. For example: a 100 gallon refugium will receive 4 TSP (20mls). The uneaten algae will make its way up to the display where it will be available to zooplankton and other filter-feeders. Some customer feed this way every day, some feed more infrequently.

What you will need for Culturing in a Stand Alone Container

We recommend at least 2 culture vessels in case one has issues. The vessels can be a 5 or 10 gallon aquarium, Tupperware container, etc. that holds water. Deep containers or carboys are not suggested.
Culture water. You will need some freshly mixed clean saltwater. We use BTAC salt in our systems. Do not use water from an existing aquarium or culture as this will contaminate your attempt to start a new culture of copepods. A specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 for this species of copepod is suggested
Small air pump, air stone, and airline tubing. You can also use rigid airline without an air stone. Very light aeration is adequate.
No heater is needed. This species is very hardy. Try to avoid culture temperature exceeding 85F. Optimal temperature range is 60F to 85F.
We recommend a small, direct light source like a simple dome, shop lamp - 12 hours on: 12 hours off.
A food source, such as Phyto-Feast phytoplankton, is recommended.
We don't use substrate in our cultures, but some people will have crushed gravel or sand and reef rock in their systems. We recommend that all substrate added is sterile and void of life so that you don't get any competing organisms in the culture.

Directions for Culturing in a Stand Alone Container

Fill your container half to two-thirds with clean saltwater. Add the air source to the culture and run it very low (2-3 bubbles per second is ideal). Make sure you use a drip loop and check valve to keep water from getting into your pump and electrical outlet. Add a small amount of Phyto-Feast (1-2mls) to some culture water and stir until homogenized. Then gently pour the diluted algae in so that you can lightly color the culture tank. Do not add too much, or the water will foul. After you've acclimated your copepods to temperature, pour them in and you are all set!

Over the next few weeks, your copepods will reproduce. It may seem at first that they aren't reproducing as fast as you would like, but once they get to a certain population level you will see an "explosion" of copepods in your culture vessel. On a daily or every other day basis, feed small amounts of Phyto-Feast necessary to keep the water lightly tinted, and monitor water quality. Crashes from overfeeding that leads to high ammonia and nitrite are possible, water changes can help if the water quality declines too much. Water changes can be performed when harvesting. See the next section for details.

To harvest your copepods, a plankton collector/strainer of some sort is very helpful. A 90 microns sieve will catch all sizes, while 300 will help to separate out the juveniles and adults from the larval stages. You can siphon your copepods through the collector, insuring that when you feed them to your aquarium you are only adding copepods, not culture water. Discard the culture water and add new, clean saltwater to the culture to bring it back to the original level. You are essentially doing a water change when you siphon out the copepods. Make sure you do not dip your strainer in the copepod culture, and then in your aquarium, and then back in your culture vessel without cleaning it first. Likewise, keep siphon tubing and other equipment you use on your culture separate from equipment you use in your aquariums or larval tanks to avoid contamination. While you can always buy another batch of Tigger-Pods should your culture crash, you can avoid that frustration by not sharing equipment between different systems. You can also scoop the Tigger-Pods with a brine shrimp net but keep in mind that you will need to do a water change on the system as waste accumulates. Scooping can also stir up waste from the bottom, so do it carefully.

You will see "mulm" accumulate on the bottom of the culture after a week or so. The mulm consists of bacteria, organic waste, copepod molts and the copepod nauplii (babies). The nauplii prefer to be on the bottom of the tank feeding on algae and organic waste, so when siphoning this out, try to screen it first and put them back in the culture. It's ok to return some of the mulm to the tank. It's also a good idea to add a small amount of mulm to a new culture since there is bacteria in it that will help rapidly cycle.

Add RO/DI water to the culture as evaporation occurs. It's a good idea to make a mark on the culture with tape or a sharpie to keep track of the original water level.

Receiving your Tigger-Pods

Tigger-Pods are wonderful little creatures, full of energy, fun to watch, and great food for your reef tank. When you receive your shipment, there are some steps you can take that will help ensure their health and survival.

Upon arrival, you may notice the Tigger-Pods aren't very active. This is normal when cold shipped or cold stored. As the bottles warm up, the Tigger-Pods will become more active. It is not uncommon to have a few of the oldest copepods to die from old age. We pack the bottle with life stages above 300 microns, so the bottle will be full of juveniles and egg-bearing females. On average, we add at least 10% more in every bottle to account for any DOA.

Open bottle cap and remove the inside liner, if there is one. Let the bottle stand at room temp for 2 hours to allow the temperature to rise. The Tigger-Pods can be poured directly into your refugium and/or main tank. We recommend that you add copepods after lights out. Turn off all pumps, add the copepods and wait 30 minutes before returning your system to normal function. Since some of the copepods will cling to the side of the bottle after pouring, make sure to rinse the remainders out with clean saltwater so that you get every last animal.

Tigger-Pods feed on microalgae and we recommend feeding them with Phyto-Feast. Phyto-Feast can be dosed directly into both your refugium and main tank. The recommended feeding rate is 1 TSP per 100 gallons for a display tank without refugium or 1 TSP per 25 gallons when dosing to the refugium. This can be done each day, depending on the bio-density of your reef tank. Add the dose near a powerhead or wavemaker to disperse the concentrate when adding to the display. When adding the dose to the refugium, mix it with some tank water to homogenize and then pour it in.

Longer Term Storage

Tigger-Pods can be stored in a refrigerator (33-42°F / 1-5°C) to slow down their metabolic processes, which will increase store shelf life.

Tigger Pods FAQ:

MYTH: Tigger-Pods are a cold water copepod species and will quickly die in a reef system

On the contrary, Tigger-Pods (Tigriopus californicus copepods) LOVE warm water and will thrive in your reef tank. They are native to the west coast of North America. They range from the cold waters of Washington state to the very warm waters of Mexico.

They can live semi-dormant for many weeks when stored in a refrigerator. Warmer water speeds up their metabolism and reproductive rate. Tigger-Pods will reproduce very well in your sump or refugium, especially if they are fed with products that contain large amounts of brown algae. They can also feed a bit on green algae, but it is much harder for them to digest. Phyto-Feast is primarily brown algae and is an excellent feed for all types of copepods. It will typically take 20-35 days to see a significant population spike because of their slow life cycle (laying eggs, hatching, growing to a noticeable size). More information is available in the Tigger-Pod FAQ below.

Geographical Range

While it is true Tigriopus californicus copepods come from the west coast of North America, they have a vast reported range from the tip of Baja California (Mexico) to Alaska. That is just the reported range on paper; it doesn't mean they are not found outside of that range. People have reported seeing them further down the Pacific West Coast, as far south as Honduras.

Climate / Temperature

They do not live in the open ocean - they live in the warm upper splash zone tide pools. They are not adapted to survive in the kind of environment that the open ocean typically provides. Anyone who has spent any time tide-pooling in the upper splash zones of the coast of California can tell you the upper pools can experience extended periods (days to weeks) of daily highs in the mid to high 90's (°F) during summer.

Also, see "Habitat characters of Tigriopus californicus copepods (Copepoda: Harpacticoida)" from the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom where copepod populations were found at water temperatures of 6–33°C (42F to 92F).

Reproduction Above 74°F

It is a myth that all Tigriopus californicus copepods do not do well in warm conditions originates from mis-interpretation of a research study of Canadian populations. In these samples from much colder water, it was found that 2-5% more males than females were produced when cultured above 75°F. Such a slight departure from a 50:50 sex ratio will have a negligible effect on the breeding success of a population. Furthermore, although this temperature effect may occur in the cold–water adapted strains collected for that trial, no similar studies are reported of populations from warmer waters. Reed Mariculture's Tigger-Pods were originally collected in California, over a 1,000 miles further south. Our Tigriopus californicus copepods have been cultured successfully at near reef temps (mid 70's to 80's during the summer) for several years now.

Size

Tigger-Pods are significantly larger than most copepods that come in with live rock. Most such pods are between 300-500 microns, while Tigger-Pods are 1000-1500 microns. It's difficult to find microplankton in this size range, so Tigger-Pods can be a valuable addition to your reef system.

Culturing

Tigger-pods will typically not thrive in your main tank for three reasons:

there is no place for them to hide, and they are such attractive food that they get eaten quickly and disappear
there is not enough food (microalgae) for them
it takes 20-30 days from when their eggs are laid until they mature into breeding adults ready to start laying eggs, so the chances that they can persist long enough to breed under these conditions is practically zero.

The best way to culture Tigger-Pods is to put them in your sump or refugium where they are safe, or culture them in a separate tank. Either way, give them lots of microalgae (like Phyto-Feast) to feed on.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Tigger-Pods (Tigriopus californicus copepods) are a very good species of copepod to have in your reef system. They are a highly adaptable species that thrive at cold temperatures, reef system temperatures, and intermediate temperatures. They are also very good feed organisms (easy to capture and a good nutritional profile), and will culture well when given the right conditions and food.

Oyster Feast

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Oyster-Feast® is a mix of both oyster eggs and ovarian tissue (1-200 microns). Oyster-Feast is naturally size-appropriate for the smallest SPS corals (Acropora & Montipora) up to LPS corals (Goniopora & Favites). Highly suitable feed for a broad range of corals and other invertebrates.

Oyster Ovarian Tissue Included

Ovarian tissue has all the benefits and nutritional value of the eggs but in a wide range of sizes, down to 1 micron. It is high in both protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Strong Feeding Response

Oyster-Feast elicits a strong feeding response from corals, other invertebrates and fish. Even mysids, amphipods and copepods will feed on Oyster-Feast.

Features & Benefits:

Naturally size-appropriate for feeding SPS and LPS corals
Highly suitable for a broad range of corals and other invertebrates
Fast coral feeding response
High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids
Stays in suspension

Use & Storage:

Directions

1 - 2 teaspoons per 100 gallon tank per day. Add to a high flow area of the tank, or for target feeding, premix 4 parts tank water with 1 part Oyster-Feast.

Because different captive reef systems process nutrients at different rates, we recommend that new users start with half the recommended dose and slowly increase to the full dosage over a 1 month span.

When you feed your corals other Reef Nutrition products along with Oyster-Feast, you can take advantage of this strong feeding response by first adding the Oyster-Feast and waiting a few minutes for the polyps to open up to feed before adding the other feeds.

Note that color variations in this product are normal.

Storage

Oyster-Feast should be refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) before and after opening.

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	2.4%
Crude Fat (min)	0.4%
Crude Fiber (max)	0.1%
Moisture (max)	91.0%

Additional Guarantees

Oyster gonad and eggs	20%
DHA (% of fat)	6.5%
EPA (% of fat)	6.0%

Ingredients

Seawater, Oyster Ovarian Tissue, Oyster Eggs, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Proprionic Acid, Sodium Alginate

Artic-Pods

RN_AP_SM

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Arcti-Pods® are large, nutrition-packed planktonic copepods (3000 microns) harvested fresh from arctic waters. In the ocean, copepods form the basis for much of the marine food chain.

Fish Go Crazy For Them!

No other product excites your fish like Arcti-Pods! Even many of the most finicky fish, such as Mandarin dragonets. In addition, they are great for invertebrates too: LPS Corals, Anemones, Zoanthids, Brittle Stars and more!

Nutritionally Rich

Arcti-Pods are rich in carotenoids, which bring out the color of your animals. Arcti-Pods are also naturally rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and waxy esters for growth. They contain whole and intact biological organisms in a media with benign food grade additives. No phosphates have been added.

Features & Benefits:

Even Finicky Fish Go Crazy For Them!
Excellent feed for LPS Corals, Anemones, Zoanthids, Brittle Stars
Superior Nutrition: High Protein, Omega-3, Omega-6 and Waxy Esters

Use & Storage:

Directions

1 - 2 teaspoons per 100 gallon tank per day. Add to a high flow area of the tank, or for target feeding, premix 4 parts tank water with 1 part Arcti-Pods. Target Feeding undiluted product is not advised.

Because different captive reef systems process nutrients at different rates, we recommend that new users start with half the reocmmmended dose and slowly increase to the full dosage over a 1 month span.

Storage

For longest shelf life, all Arcti-Pods should be refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) before and after opening.

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	2.2%
Crude Fat (min)	1.6%
Crude Fiber (max)	1.0%
Moisture (max)	91.0%

Additional Guarantees

Arctic Copepods	20%
Astaxanthin	120 ppm *

* by wet weight of copepods

Ingredients

Seawater, Copepods, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Proprionic Acid, Sodium Alginate

Phyto Feast Concentrate

RN_PF_CONC_SM

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Phyto-Feast® is a blend of the most important marine microalgae, those chosen by universities and hatcheries for their superior nutritional value: Pavlova, Isochrysis, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Tetraselmis, Nannochloropsis, and Synechococcus.

With six species in 5 classes, both Phyto-Feast and Phyto-Feast Live provide a diversity of Phyto-pigments, lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates and cell sizes. Reed Mariculture's proprietary harvesting and stabilizing processes keep cells intact and insures that the maximum amount of nutrients get to your animals.

Phyto-Feast contains whole and intact biological organisms in a media with benign food grade additives. No phosphates are added.

Features & Benefits:

Optimized for 100% Nutrition

After decades of research, hatcheries and universities around the world have come to agreement on the best algae for filter feeders. At the top of the list are Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pavlova and Nannochloropsis. While each provides certain benefits, none on their own can provide for a complete diet. Brown algae, in particular, are especially critical to your filter feeders because in addition to sterols and pigments they are the only algae that produce the fatty acid DHA (required for complete omega-3 nutrition). Phyto-Feast is the only live algae concentrate that contains 100% of the nutrition needed by your animals - proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

Maximized for Long Term Storage

The best process for preserving the nutritional benefits of live algae for long term storage is to place the live microalgal cells in a state of suspended animation (also called quiescence or hibernation). This process reduces the metabolic activity of the live cells to minimal levels, allowing long term storage without the depletion of oxygen or the loss of nutritional value.

All the microalgae that goes into Phyto-Feast are grown at Reed Mariculture and are harvested live and packed and shipped "farm fresh" every week. Once harvested, the algae are induced to become "quiescent". At the time of packaging, 95% or more of the algae are alive. In this quiescent state, metabolic activity and respiration are reduced to minimal levels, preserving the nutritional value of the algae and the integrity of the cell membranes. Since not all of the algae species are equally hardy, after a few weeks some of the more delicate cells will begin to expire. However, due to our quiescence process, the cells lose none of their functional qualities or nutritional value. Many of the cells will remain viable for several months. When properly stored, a bottle of Phyto-Feast will provide the same value after two-plus months that it did on the first day.

Phyto-Feast or Phyto-Feast Live?

Phyto-Feast Live has the same algae as Phyto-Feast but is handled with special care. Phyto-Feast Live is harvested and shipped fresh each week and has better short-term cell viability. Phyto-Feast has better long-term nutritional stability. Both are equally good for your aquarium.

Use & Storage:

Directions

Invert and/or shake the bottle a few times before opening it. The larger algae cells such as Tetraselmis tend to settle to the bottom.

If you have not used Phyto-Feast before, start with 1 drop per gallon each day (1 teaspoon per 100 gallons) . Your animals will rapidly become accustomed to the phytoplankton (microalgae) and be able to feed on quite a bit more.

If your animals do not "clear" the water in less than an hour - back off on the amount you are adding because your systems is not fully digesting all the microalgae.

A common dosage for a mature system is 1-5 drops per gallon (1-5 teaspoons per 100 gallons) each day, depending on your tank setup and animal density. Use our feed calculator to determine the number of drops to use daily for your setup.

Usage Tips

We recommend turning off your skimmer before adding the algae. Many customers have been successful by putting their skimmer on a vacation timer so it automatically turns back on later in the evening (2 hours is a good window).

Storage

Phyto-Feast must be stored in your refrigerator. The best place to store algae is the bottom shelf because that is the coldest place in your refrigerator. The worst place to store it is the refrigerator door which may not be cold enough. Do not store Phyto-Feast in your freezer bcause freezing will break many of the algae cells.

Phytofeast FAQ:

What are phytoplankton and why are they important in a Reef System?

Phytoplankton are single cell microalgae that exist primarily in the water column. Microalgae is the beginning of the marine food chain and the primary source of essential nutrients for most reef filter feeders. Filter feeders that rely directly on phytoplankton include bivalves like clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters, as well as many corals, feather dusters, sponges, ascidians and zooplankton like rotifers and copepods.

It was once thought that most reef animals do not require microalgae, however, we have learned in recent years that nearly all reef animals that can filter feed do rely on plankton for an essential portion of their diet. This is even true for animals that can use zoozanthellae and photosynthesis for nourishment. With hindsight this is obvious as zoozanthellae only contribute carbohydrates to the host animal, requiring the animal to look elsewhere for lipids, protein, vitamins and other nutrients.

In nature filter feeders rely on a mix of diatoms, golden-brown, green, yellow-green, blue-green and red microalgae for a nutritionally complete diet. These life forms may look similar, but they are so ancient that they have incredible biological and nutritional diversity. Biologically speaking, there is vastly more difference between a green algae and a golden-brown flagellate than between dandelion and a fir tree.

Will microalgae add phosphate and nitrate to my system?

Yes - in very small amounts. There are no added phosphate and nitrates in Phyto-Feast, however these are critical components of all plants so it's impossible for any microalgae product not to contain some amount. If you have a refugium with some seaweed (Macro-Feast), the seaweed should help pull some of the P&N out of your system. If you experience elevated phosphates there are many products on the market to help lower them, such as Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO).

Phyto-Feast will add much less phosphate and nitrate than algae you grow at home. The algae in Phyto-Feast is separated from the growing media during harvesting, so the only P&N is the small amount actually in the cells, not the media.

There is also a very good article about this by Eric Borneman at reefkeeping.com.

Why is a complete Omega-3 fatty acid profile important?

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, and ARA) are considered essential fatty acids, which means that they are essential to animal health but cannot be manufactured by animals. For this reason, Omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils, especially marine microalgae. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

Different algae can be very different in their Omega-3 fatty acid content. Some, such as Chlorella, contain no EPA or DHA. So it is very important to feed your tank a mixture of carefully chosen algae species for complete and balanced nutrition. The algae in PhytoFeast were specially selected to provide high levels of EPA, DHA and ARA.

Will Phyto-Feast decompose and foul my system?

No. Phyto-Feast cells are intact and not broken so bacteria cannot quickly break them down and cause them to decompose.

Do I need to worry about bacteria or algae blooms if I use Phyto-Feast?

Typically No. Bacterial blooms are typically caused by significant amount of uneaten biomass remained in your system for several days due to overfeeding. Please adhere to the feeding instructions on the bottle to minimize the likelihood of this happening. When first using Phyto-Feast, we recommend you begin at the lowest recommended level and increase as your tank becomes accustomed to the new feed.

Your protein skimmer will likely remove any excess Phyto-Feast from your system.

Which of my animals will feed on Phyto-Feast products?

Some soft corals, sponges, tunicates, gorgonians, sea fans, Basket and Feather Stars, Clams, Mussels, Barnacles, Feather Dusters and Tridachnid clams.

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	1.3%
Crude Fat (min)	0.5%
Crude Fiber (max)	0.1%
Moisture (max)	94.0%

Additional Guarantees

Microalgal Biomass	9.3%
Omega-3 (as a % of fatty acids)	15%

Ingredients

Seawater, Marine Microalgae (Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pavlova, Nannochloropsis, Thalassiosira, Synechococcus), Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Larixinic Acid, Sodium Alginate

Phyto Feast

RN_PF_LIVE_SM

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Phyto-Feast® is a blend of the most important marine microalgae, those chosen by universities and hatcheries for their superior nutritional value: Pavlova, Isochrysis, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Tetraselmis, Nannochloropsis, and Synechococcus.

With six species in 5 classes, both Phyto-Feast and Phyto-Feast Live provide a diversity of Phyto-pigments, lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates and cell sizes. Reed Mariculture's proprietary harvesting and stabilizing processes keep cells intact and insures that the maximum amount of nutrients get to your animals.

Phyto-Feast contains whole and intact biological organisms in a media with benign food grade additives. No phosphates are added.

Features & Benefits:

Optimized for 100% Nutrition

After decades of research, hatcheries and universities around the world have come to agreement on the best algae for filter feeders. At the top of the list are Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pavlova and Nannochloropsis. While each provides certain benefits, none on their own can provide for a complete diet. Brown algae, in particular, are especially critical to your filter feeders because in addition to sterols and pigments they are the only algae that produce the fatty acid DHA (required for complete omega-3 nutrition). Phyto-Feast is the only live algae concentrate that contains 100% of the nutrition needed by your animals - proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

Maximized for Long Term Storage

The best process for preserving the nutritional benefits of live algae for long term storage is to place the live microalgal cells in a state of suspended animation (also called quiescence or hibernation). This process reduces the metabolic activity of the live cells to minimal levels, allowing long term storage without the depletion of oxygen or the loss of nutritional value.

All the microalgae that goes into Phyto-Feast are grown at Reed Mariculture and are harvested live and packed and shipped "farm fresh" every week. Once harvested, the algae are induced to become "quiescent". At the time of packaging, 95% or more of the algae are alive. In this quiescent state, metabolic activity and respiration are reduced to minimal levels, preserving the nutritional value of the algae and the integrity of the cell membranes. Since not all of the algae species are equally hardy, after a few weeks some of the more delicate cells will begin to expire. However, due to our quiescence process, the cells lose none of their functional qualities or nutritional value. Many of the cells will remain viable for several months. When properly stored, a bottle of Phyto-Feast will provide the same value after two-plus months that it did on the first day.

Phyto-Feast or Phyto-Feast Live?

Phyto-Feast Live has the same algae as Phyto-Feast but is handled with special care. Phyto-Feast Live is harvested and shipped fresh each week and has better short-term cell viability. Phyto-Feast has better long-term nutritional stability. Both are equally good for your aquarium.

Use & Storage:

Directions

Invert and/or shake the bottle a few times before opening it. The larger algae cells such as Tetraselmis tend to settle to the bottom.

If you have not used Phyto-Feast before, start with 1 drop per gallon each day (1 teaspoon per 100 gallons) . Your animals will rapidly become accustomed to the phytoplankton (microalgae) and be able to feed on quite a bit more.

If your animals do not "clear" the water in less than an hour - back off on the amount you are adding because your systems is not fully digesting all the microalgae.

A common dosage for a mature system is 1-5 drops per gallon (1-5 teaspoons per 100 gallons) each day, depending on your tank setup and animal density. Use our feed calculator to determine the number of drops to use daily for your setup.

Usage Tips

We recommend turning off your skimmer before adding the algae. Many customers have been successful by putting their skimmer on a vacation timer so it automatically turns back on later in the evening (2 hours is a good window).

Storage

Phyto-Feast must be stored in your refrigerator. The best place to store algae is the bottom shelf because that is the coldest place in your refrigerator. The worst place to store it is the refrigerator door which may not be cold enough. Do not store Phyto-Feast in your freezer bcause freezing will break many of the algae cells.

Phytofeast FAQ:

What are phytoplankton and why are they important in a Reef System?

Phytoplankton are single cell microalgae that exist primarily in the water column. Microalgae is the beginning of the marine food chain and the primary source of essential nutrients for most reef filter feeders. Filter feeders that rely directly on phytoplankton include bivalves like clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters, as well as many corals, feather dusters, sponges, ascidians and zooplankton like rotifers and copepods.

It was once thought that most reef animals do not require microalgae, however, we have learned in recent years that nearly all reef animals that can filter feed do rely on plankton for an essential portion of their diet. This is even true for animals that can use zoozanthellae and photosynthesis for nourishment. With hindsight this is obvious as zoozanthellae only contribute carbohydrates to the host animal, requiring the animal to look elsewhere for lipids, protein, vitamins and other nutrients.

In nature filter feeders rely on a mix of diatoms, golden-brown, green, yellow-green, blue-green and red microalgae for a nutritionally complete diet. These life forms may look similar, but they are so ancient that they have incredible biological and nutritional diversity. Biologically speaking, there is vastly more difference between a green algae and a golden-brown flagellate than between dandelion and a fir tree.

Will microalgae add phosphate and nitrate to my system?

Yes - in very small amounts. There are no added phosphate and nitrates in Phyto-Feast, however these are critical components of all plants so it's impossible for any microalgae product not to contain some amount. If you have a refugium with some seaweed (Macro-Feast), the seaweed should help pull some of the P&N out of your system. If you experience elevated phosphates there are many products on the market to help lower them, such as Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO).

Phyto-Feast will add much less phosphate and nitrate than algae you grow at home. The algae in Phyto-Feast is separated from the growing media during harvesting, so the only P&N is the small amount actually in the cells, not the media.

There is also a very good article about this by Eric Borneman at reefkeeping.com.

Why is a complete Omega-3 fatty acid profile important?

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, and ARA) are considered essential fatty acids, which means that they are essential to animal health but cannot be manufactured by animals. For this reason, Omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils, especially marine microalgae. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

Different algae can be very different in their Omega-3 fatty acid content. Some, such as Chlorella, contain no EPA or DHA. So it is very important to feed your tank a mixture of carefully chosen algae species for complete and balanced nutrition. The algae in PhytoFeast were specially selected to provide high levels of EPA, DHA and ARA.

Will Phyto-Feast decompose and foul my system?

No. Phyto-Feast cells are intact and not broken so bacteria cannot quickly break them down and cause them to decompose.

Do I need to worry about bacteria or algae blooms if I use Phyto-Feast?

Typically No. Bacterial blooms are typically caused by significant amount of uneaten biomass remained in your system for several days due to overfeeding. Please adhere to the feeding instructions on the bottle to minimize the likelihood of this happening. When first using Phyto-Feast, we recommend you begin at the lowest recommended level and increase as your tank becomes accustomed to the new feed.

Your protein skimmer will likely remove any excess Phyto-Feast from your system.

Which of my animals will feed on Phyto-Feast products?

Some soft corals, sponges, tunicates, gorgonians, sea fans, Basket and Feather Stars, Clams, Mussels, Barnacles, Feather Dusters and Tridachnid clams.

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	1.3%
Crude Fat (min)	0.5%
Crude Fiber (max)	0.1%
Moisture (max)	94.0%

Additional Guarantees

Microalgal Biomass	9.3%
Omega-3 (as a % of fatty acids)	15%

Ingredients

Seawater, Marine Microalgae (Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pavlova, Nannochloropsis, Thalassiosira, Synechococcus), Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Larixinic Acid, Sodium Alginate

R.O.E.-Real Oceanic Eggs

RN_ROE_SM

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R.O.E. Real Oceanic Eggs are super-concentrated marine fish eggs harvested from Northern Seas. They contain high levels of omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids.

Sized Right for Fish, Corals and Other Invertebrates

With an egg size range of 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm, R.O.E. is suitable for a broad range of Fish, LPS & NPS Corals, and other invertebrates such as Anemones, Zoanthids and Palythoa.

Features & Benefits:

Excellent feed for Fish, NPS and LPS corals and many other invertebrates
Nutritious eggs, free from coloring agents
High in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Sized Right for Fish and Corals
Highly Concentrated

Use & Storage:

Directions

Invert bottle to mix

For Fish: Add as much as they can consume in 2 minutes

For Corals: Add 1 - 2 teaspoons per 100 gallon tank each day

Add to a high flow area of the tank, or for target feeding, premix 4 parts tank water with 1 part Beta Brine.

Because different captive reef systems process nutrients at different rates, we suggest that new users start with half the recommended dose and slowly increase to the full dosage over a 1 month span.

Note: Color variations in this product are normal

Storage

Keep refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) at all times

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	3.4%
Crude Fat (min)	0.4%
Crude Fiber (max)	0.1%
Moisture (max)	88.2%

Additional Guarantees

Marine Fish Eggs	30%
ARA (% of fat)	1.8%
EPA (% of fat)	14.7%
DHA (% of fat)	29.6%

Ingredients

Seawater, Marine Fish Eggs (Atlantic Cod and Saithe), Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Scorbic Acid, Proprionic Acid, Sodium Alginate

TDO-Chroma BOOST

TDO-C2-3OZ

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Features & Benefits:

Resealable spout to retain maximum freshness and quality
Moisture and oxygen excluded by foil bag and scavenger packets
No unwanted fillers or additives
Contains only the necessary ingredients for healthy fish, high growth rate and bright colors
State of the art pellet formulation keeps your tank clean and clear
High quality fishmeal protein for easy digestion and feed conversion
Beneficial for all life stages
Professional hatchery feed at an affordable price
Careful handling and prompt distribution with constant refrigeration maximizes freshness for up to 1 year or more
Works great in an auto-feeder

Use & Storage:

Directions

Very small fish (larvae and small juveniles) benefit from continuous availability of food. Feed small amounts frequently, but do not allow uneaten food to accumulate in the tank.

Feed larger fish only as much as they can consume in two minutes.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening
Prior to opening, store refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) for maximum shelf life
Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight

Sample Clownfish Feeding Chart

The chart below shows the suggested sizes of TDO feed to be used during the different stages of clownfish growth over 75 days.

TDO Feeding Chart

Technical Info:

Type	Shape	Size	Crude Protein %MIN	Crude Fat %MIN	Crude Fiber %MAX	Crude Ash %MAX	Crude Calcium %MIN	Phos- phorus %MIN	Moisture %MAX	Packaging
A	Granule	75–250 µm	50.0	13.0	3.5	15.0	2.0	2.0	6.5	1oz, 3oz, 1kg
B1	Granule	250–360 µm	49.0	13.0	3.0	15.0	2.3	1.5	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
B2	Granule	360–650 µm	49.0	13.0	3.0	15.0	2.3	1.5	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
C1 / X-SMALL	Granule	580–840 µm	49.0	14.0	3.5	15.0	2.3	1.5	7.0	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
C2 / SMALL	Granule	840–1410 µm	49.0	14.0	3.5	15.0	2.3	1.5	7.0	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
EP1 / MEDIUM	Ext. Pellet	1.7mm	46.0	16.0	2.0	14.0	2.2	1.7	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
EP2 / LARGE	Ext. Pellet	2.3mm	46.0	16.5	2.0	14.0	2.2	1.7	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg

Type	Ingredients
A	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
B	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Brewers Yeast, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
C	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Brewers Yeast, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
EP	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Corn Starch, Calcium Phosphate, Betaine, Soy Lecithin, Licorice Plant, Wheat Germ

Granule

Extruded Pellet

Roti-Feast

RN_RF_SM

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Roti-Feast® contains millions of fully intact Brachionus plicatilis marine rotifers eggs.

For superior color, vitality and growth-rates, Roti-Feast is a highly nutritious plankton feed perfect for hardcorals, larval fish, and other reef carnivores that feed on small zooplankton.

Rotifers are a critical feed used in marine fish and invertebrate hatcheries around the world.

Features & Benefits:

Millions of fully intact marine rotifers with millions of eggs
Excellent feed for non photo-synthetic corals, sea fans, anemones, anthias and chromis
Promotes superior color, vitality and growth-rates
Grown and enriched (gut-loaded) with Instant Algae® and Phyto-Feast® for an optimum nutritional profile.
Diverse nutritional profile including carotenoids, sterols, omega-3's & omega-6, and essential amino acids
Fully Intact Rotifers — no leaking nutrients and full bioavailability
Non Clumping —size appropriate for reef organisms
Optimal digestibility, size, nutritional profile (when enriched) and almost universal acceptability by marine organisms.

Use & Storage:

Directions

Add 2 - 3 teaspoons per 100 gallon tank each day

Add to a high flow area of the tank, or for target feeding, premix 4 parts tank water with 1 part Roti-Feast.

Because different captive reef systems process nutrients at different rates, we recommend that new users start with half the reocmmmended dose and slowly increase to the full dosage over a 1 month span.

Note: Color variations in this product are normal

Storage

Keep refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) at all times

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	0.3%
Crude Fat (min)	0.1%
Crude Fiber (max)	0.1%
Moisture (max)	95.0%

Ingredients

Seawater, Rotifers, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Scorbic Acid, Proprionic Acid, Sodium Alginate

Mysis Feast

RN_MYS_SM

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Mysis-Feast® is refrigerated, concentrated freshwater Mysis diluviana (aka Mysis relicta) shrimp (7 – 25mm) harvested by Piscine Energetics® from pristine cold lakes fed by mountain glaciers. These Mysis feed on phytoplankton resulting in a balanced nutritional profile high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Fish and Corals Love Them!

Mysis-Feast elicits a strong feeding response and is an outstanding feed for fish, corals and other invertebrates. Due to its low salt content, it is an excellent feed for freshwater fish and invertebrates as well.

Save Time and Eliminate Waste

With Mysis-Feast, there is no need to thaw or rinse before feeding and no need to throw away left over thawed feed.

Features & Benefits:

Pre-Rinsed Mysis in a Bottle
Excellent Feed for Fish and Corals
Works for Bot Saltwater and Freshwater Animals
refrigerated and Easy To Use

Use & Storage:

Directions

Add 1-2 teaspoons of Mysis-Feast per 100 gallon tank each day. Add to a high flow area of the tank, or for target feeding, premix 4 parts tank water with 1 part Mysis-Feast. You should add enough for your fish to consume within 2 to 3 minutes.

Note that color and size variations in this product are normal.

Storage

Refrigerate (33-42°F / 1-5°C) after opening.

Technical Info:

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	6.5%
Crude Fat (min)	1.2%
Crude Fiber (max)	1.4%
Moisture (max)	93.0%

Additional Guarantees

Omega-3, Omega-6 (% of fat)	35%
DHA (% of fat)	13.5%
EPA (% of fat)	13.5%
ARA (% of fat)	3.2%

Ingredients

Mysis diluviana, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Proprionic Acid, Sodium Alginate, Larixinic Acid

TDO-Chroma BOOST - Value Pack

TDO-VP

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X-Sm, Sm and Med pellets in 3 oz packages.

Features & Benefits:

Resealable spout to retain maximum freshness and quality
Moisture and oxygen excluded by foil bag and scavenger packets
No unwanted fillers or additives
Contains only the necessary ingredients for healthy fish, high growth rate and bright colors
State of the art pellet formulation keeps your tank clean and clear
High quality fishmeal protein for easy digestion and feed conversion
Beneficial for all life stages
Professional hatchery feed at an affordable price
Careful handling and prompt distribution with constant refrigeration maximizes freshness for up to 1 year or more
Works great in an auto-feeder

Use & Storage:

Directions

Very small fish (larvae and small juveniles) benefit from continuous availability of food. Feed small amounts frequently, but do not allow uneaten food to accumulate in the tank.

Feed larger fish only as much as they can consume in two minutes.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening
Prior to opening, store refrigerated (33-42°F / 1-5°C) for maximum shelf life
Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight

Sample Clownfish Feeding Chart

The chart below shows the suggested sizes of TDO feed to be used during the different stages of clownfish growth over 75 days.

TDO Feeding Chart

Technical Info:

Type	Shape	Size	Crude Protein %MIN	Crude Fat %MIN	Crude Fiber %MAX	Crude Ash %MAX	Crude Calcium %MIN	Phos- phorus %MIN	Moisture %MAX	Packaging
A	Granule	75–250 µm	50.0	13.0	3.5	15.0	2.0	2.0	6.5	1oz, 3oz, 1kg
B1	Granule	250–360 µm	49.0	13.0	3.0	15.0	2.3	1.5	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
B2	Granule	360–650 µm	49.0	13.0	3.0	15.0	2.3	1.5	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
C1 / X-SMALL	Granule	580–840 µm	49.0	14.0	3.5	15.0	2.3	1.5	7.0	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
C2 / SMALL	Granule	840–1410 µm	49.0	14.0	3.5	15.0	2.3	1.5	7.0	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
EP1 / MEDIUM	Ext. Pellet	1.7mm	46.0	16.0	2.0	14.0	2.2	1.7	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg
EP2 / LARGE	Ext. Pellet	2.3mm	46.0	16.5	2.0	14.0	2.2	1.7	6.5	3oz, 1lb, 2kg

Type	Ingredients
A	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
B	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Brewers Yeast, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
C	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Potato Starch, Wheat Flour, Brewers Yeast, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Soy Lecithin, Betaine, Licorice Plant, Apple Extract, Wheat Germ
EP	Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Squid Meal, Fish Oil, Haematocococus, Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Corn Starch, Calcium Phosphate, Betaine, Soy Lecithin, Licorice Plant, Wheat Germ

Granule

Extruded Pellet

NEW Brand Announcement! Welcome CaribSea!

Mountain Stone Freshwater Rock 25 lb

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Moani Dry Live Rock 50 lb

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Arag-Alive Bimini Pink, 20 lb.

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LifeRock Arches Only (4 pk) 20 lb box

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LifeRock Original 40 lb

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LifeRock Shapes (arches and tunnels) 20 lb box

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Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite, 20 lb.

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Ocean Direct - Original Grade, 20 lb.

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African Cichlid Mix - Sahara Sand, 20 lb.

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Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand, 40 lb.

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Arag-Alive Bimini Pink, 20 lb.

00796

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You can now bring the world’s most exotic reefs into your home with CaribSea’s Arag-Alive™ substrates. It is developed from CaribSea’s cooperation with public aquariums and zoological parks, where authenticity is a must. Arag-Alive™ helps maintain a proper pH for the life of your aquarium without the constant addition of chemicals, and creates a biological balance to discourage nuisance algae. Arag-Alive™ contains millions of bacteria per pound specially engineered for aggressive waste reduction in closed systems like your aquarium. Arag-Alive™ is engineered to suppress “new tank syndrome” and compress the ammonia cycle. It begins to cycle your aquarium instantly. In fact, independent labs prove Arag-Alive™ cycles your aquarium days faster than other brands.

Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite, 20 lb.

00793

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You can now bring the world’s most exotic reefs into your home with CaribSea’s Arag-Alive™ substrates. It is developed from CaribSea’s cooperation with public aquariums and zoological parks, where authenticity is a must. Arag-Alive™ helps maintain a proper pH for the life of your aquarium without the constant addition of chemicals, and creates a biological balance to discourage nuisance algae. Arag-Alive™ contains millions of bacteria per pound specially engineered for aggressive waste reduction in closed systems like your aquarium. Arag-Alive™ is engineered to suppress “new tank syndrome” and compress the ammonia cycle. It begins to cycle your aquarium instantly. In fact, independent labs prove Arag-Alive™ cycles your aquarium days faster than other brands.

Ocean Direct - Original Grade, 20 lb.

00920

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Different than all other live sand products on the market. This live sand utilizes patent pending Sea Breathe technology; which preserves real live sand with its own original bacteria. Every bag of Ocean Direct™ is alive and breathing with up to 1000 times more beneficial bacteria than other preservation methods. Every grain of Ocean Direct™ is coated with bacteria and encapsulated by capillary action in a thin film of real ocean water. The thin film is open to the atmosphere for unparalleled gas exchange. This results in high counts of natural and beneficial bacteria with no noxious buildup of metabolic by-products. Ocean Direct™ provides you with a thriving, natural aquarium in minutes!

African Cichlid Mix - Sahara Sand, 20 lb.

00222

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CaribSea’s African Cichlid substrates can help recreate a variety of environments. Rift Lake Authentic™ is a typical Mbuna setup while Sahara Sand™ is ideal for nesting featherfins. The original African Cichlid Mix™ is great in just about any application! The bold colors of all the Cichlid Mixes encourage the vibrant natural coloration of your fish. CaribSea’s Cichlid products naturally buffer for the life of the aquarium simplifying the process of matching water quality parameters to the Great Rift Lakes of Africa. African Cichlid Mixes also resist the downward drift of pH in long established or crowded systems. Seasoned hobbyists appreciate the ease of maintaining water quality as much as the beauty of these substrates.

African Cichlid Mix - Sahara Sand, 20 lb.

Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand, 40 lb.

00050

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Don’t settle for an ordinary gravel. Natural dramatic colors and textures combined with pH support characterize our Coraline™ and Seaflor™ products. These are coarser materials suitable for most undergravel filtration and fish systems or as an accent for finer sands anywhere where elevated pH values are desirable. Consider the Coraline™ products in brackish or Cichlid aquariums (Central American or African). Seaflor™ Puka Shell substrates are great additions to fine sands in reef tanks where animals make their homes by burrowing in the substrate. Jawfish, blennies and burrowing crustaceans will especially appreciate the extra “construction material.” Our substrates are purposely engineered and free of impurities such as ash, metals, pesticides, and silica; which allows you to create a safe and beautiful environment for your fish and invertebrates. Precision grading makes system design a breeze! No matter what type of system you are setting up, we have the substrate that’s perfect for the filtration method and habitat you are creating.

Weekly WYSIWYG Coral - NEW WYSIWYG Every Sunday @ 1PM EST

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WYSIWYG-KOI 1 Shusui 10-12in.

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WYSIWYG-KOI 3 Koi 10-12in.

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WYSIWYG-KOI 5 Koi 10-12in.

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Blenny - Lawnmower Sm/Md

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Salt Fritz RPM Box

80243DB

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About Fritz RPM - Reef Pro Mix

Fritz RPM - Reef Pro Mix is manufactured using only the highest quality raw materials. Formulated by researchers and marine scientists, RPM contains all of the necessary major and minor elements of natural sea water that are utilized by living marine and reef animals. Correct pH and buffering capacity, essential minerals and trace elements have been added in precise ratios to ensure a correctly blended mix for the health and longevity of your livestock.

Parameters:

Salinity: 35 ppt (1.0264 sg)

Calcium: 400-450 ppm

Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm

Alkalinity: 8.0-9.0 dKH

Strontium: 9 ppm

Potassium: 400 ppm

RPM parameters reflect Fritz Aquatics’ QC pass ranges, the median is targeted. Be aware source water can greatly affect parameters especially alkalinity. QC is conducted using RO/DI at a neutral pH and a TDS of 0.

RPM is manufactured in our own facility in small batches to ensure complete quality control, rather than outsourced to generic chemical blenders with uncertain quality. Our salt blending equipment is devoted solely to the production of aquatic products, preventing contamination issues. Fritz’s unique production process promotes a uniform particle size minimizing stratification of the salts. Each batch is assigned a lot number and tested by in-house quality control to ensure its chemical quality and purity before it is shipped.

RPM is used by public aquariums, zoos, research institutions, destination retail locations, adventure parks and hobbyists worldwide.