Probiotic Micro and Bacterioplankton reef formula, replicates real reef marine snow. Ideal for SPS, LPS, Zoanthids, Clams, Scallops, Polyps, Sponges, Gorgonians, Feather Dusters, Live Rock and much more. The beneficial microbes in REEFBUGS help clean up excess nutrients in your aquarium. REEF BUGS are not a plankton substitute: they are real live Microplankton. Corals and similar organisms capture
living microbes in their mucus layer that predigest their food. These microbes adhere to particles of animal, vegetable, mineral, matter called marine or reef snow which shower the oceans reefs continually providing an essential food source for coral reproduction and growth. REEFBUGS replicates this process with microscopic beneficial organisms that cling to particles in the formula and to detritus found in the aquarium. Many corals cannot utilize the large particle foods offered to them without this process taking place. Phytoplankton must be broken down by Bacterioplankton to be useful to corals. The enclosed organisms range from one to ten microns as single cells and will also form an aggregate that adheres to coral mucus. The ReefBugs Culture™ is an aquaculture bred culture first put into use in 1990. The living microbial cysts and functional ingredients have been specifically bred and developed for the marine environment for many years. When added to aquarium water ReefBugs COMPLETE™ makes the water more biologically active by replicating living marine or reef snow. ReefBugs Complete is an aggregate of LIVING MICROBES that cling to both organic and inorganic matter to create live marine snow which is abundant on reefs in nature and is the main food source for many corals and filter feeders. In addition to the ReefBugs™ microbial culture, ReefBugs COMPLETE™ contains other functional ingredients: Extracts of algae, yeasts / fungi containing Including mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), Beta Glucan, micro and trace elements, organic carbon, pigment precursors, and natural antioxidants. MOS helps suppress growth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of fish, shrimp, pods and other reef creatures, as well as enhances food digestion and utilization of nutrients. The Beta glucans boost immune response in fish and crustaceans. In studies presence of these compounds have been said to increase vitality in aquatic life in general. Amino acids that corals need, but cannot make themselves, are included in the ReefBugs COMPLETE™ formulation. ReefBugs Complete contains eighteen species of microbial cysts and / or their fermentation products including probiotic, edible, waste degrading organisms, and enzymes. Some are facultative anaerobes and can function in substrates and live rock with anaerobic pockets. Animal matter will be covered with these microbes which adds a nutritional factor to food particles as well as breaking down foods not eaten. The culture consists of four Bacillus species, including the popular Bacillus subtilis. Two Lactobacilli and ten other genera in a proprietary mixture proven to work over many years. The attendant enzymes break down wastes, such as lignin, cellulose, sulfur, starches, nitrogenous wastes and other compounds. ReefBugs COMPLETE helps facilitate the breakdown of phytoplankton which is necessary for corals to be able to assimilate vegetable and mineral matter. Lastly, one of the main benefits of ReefBugs COMPLETE is the microbes are encysted upon drying, so the aquarist does not have to pay for water. Water containing cultures are not as stable as dry cysts which can last year’s especially if refrigerated.
