Planktonic blend for feeding Soft Corals, Bivalves, Sponges, Tunicates, Crinoids, and Polychaete Worms
Overview
• Biopigment-rich, powdered blend of marine phytoplankton, zooplankton, and proprietary complex particles providing marine protein and elements utilized in aragonite formation, specifically formulated to improve coloration of suspension-feeding invertebrates.
• Size range of particles falls is suitable for: soft corals (including colonial and solitary polyps); bivalves (Tridacnid and Hippopus clams, scallops, etc.); sponges; tunicates; crinoids; and sedentary, suspension-feeding polychaetes (e.g. feather dusters and Christmas tree worms).
• Simple to use. Enables aquarists to custom-blend planktonic suspensions to suit the nutritional requirements of their reef system(s).
• More economical than liquid planktonic suspensions.
• May be refrigerated for prolonged stability.
• Made in the USA of US-sourced, high-quality ingredients.
Technical Background
Provides a desiccated, diverse blend of nutrient-dense marine plankton in an overall size range suitable to capture by octocorals ("soft corals"), bivalves, sponges, tunicates, crinoids, and polychaete worms. ReefBlizzard planktonic blends may be re-hydrated in a cup of aquarium water for a few minutes prior to addition to the aquarium (this process helps the plankton break surface tension when they enter the aquarium, minimizing loss of plankton to overflows and the water line around the interior of the aquarium and/or external filter), or the plankton can be soaked in nutrient formulations to further enhance the positive impact delivered to the target aquarium inhabitants.
Examples of suitable nutrient formulations for corals and other suspension-feeding invertebrates (motile or sessile) are:
- CoralAmino
- Restor
- Vitamarin-C
If fortifying ReefBlizzard as described above, then all components should be mixed in a clean container and used within 6 hours if not refrigerating the mixture, or 7 - 10 days if refrigerating. Do not permit aquarium water into the storage container at any time, as this will introduce microorganisms which will cause the mixture to begin decomposing at an accelerated rate.
When the primary purpose for adding ReefBlizzard to an aquarium is for feeding corals, it is best to use this product in conjunction with CoralAminō and Restōr. Turning protein skimmer(s) off and adding two to five drops of CoralAminō per 50 US gallons (189 L) net volume to the aquarium at least 30 minutes prior to feeding with any food suspension typically elicits a feeding response (extended polyps) from corals; the length of time between addition of CoralAminō and this response tends to decrease with time when performed on a daily basis. When polyps appear to be fully extended, the planktonic suspension should be added to the system. By following these steps, the greatest percentage of plankton capture by corals and other suspension-feeders will occur; by contrast, adding any food to a system without "preparing" the inhabitants can result in significant loss of food to filtration. Increased plankton capture encourages faster growth rates of consumers and lower concentrations of latent particulate and dissolved organic material that are the result of decomposing plankton.
Instructions and Guidelines
Store tightly-sealed. Do not discard desiccant packet in container until contents are completely used. Do not contaminate container with foreign material. In an area of high water flow, add one level spoonful (using enclosed spoon) of ReefBlizzard per 20 US-gallons (76 L) in system per day. ReefBlizzard may be fortified with nutritional supplements by mixing the desired amount in a clean container with 1 - 2 ounces of aquarium water and adding supplements such as CoralAminō, AminŌmega, Vītamarin-M, etc. Allow mixture to rest for 5 minutes, then target-feed organisms in aquarium (recommended), or turn protein skimmer off and simply add contents of container to the intake port of a circulation pump or powerhead and allow to circulate throughout system; resume protein skimming after 30 minutes. Adjust dosage as feeding requirements of organisms in system dictate. Do not overfeed. Monitor nutrient concentrations in system and take steps to control nutrients if necessary.
Food Rotation: Foods for corals should be rotated to provide variety and a more complete nutritional profile. Brightwell recommends that you don't just mix all your foods together and feed the same thing every day. Feeding a broad range of nutrients will more closely simulate what animals encounter in their natural habitat. Do some research on your animals to see what their nutrional needs are. Brightwell makes a number of different planktonic and particulate foods that can be rotated to provide a more balanced diet. These can be fed in addition to the CoralAminō and Restōr which can be fed every day along with those foods. Some of them are: PhytōChrōm, PhytōGold, PhytōGreen, Zooplanktōs, Reef Blizzard A, L, O, and S, UltraPlanktōs, Macrōvore , Micrōvore, and Reef Snow.
Guaranteed Analysis (by weight)
Protein (min) 40%; Moisture (max) 20%; Fat (min) 10%; Ash (max) 10%; Fiber (max) 3%.
Ingredients
Proprietary blend of biopigment-rich marine phytoplankton, zooplankton, and proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
