Instant Algae

[ReefBiologic]

Has anyone used the Instant Algae product before? How about their Rotifers? I am very interested in their new product that is supposed to be more cost efficient and better suited to coral specific needs? Just wanted to know what kind of results from REAL hobbyists are getting and just don't want the marketing fluff from the company. I have been using DT's and my various tanks are getting along fine but I haven't seen any conclusive growth evidence. I am going to do a side by side comparison and I will post if anyone cares to read it my findings. I just hope not to duplicate any other efforts in this area. I have read Sanjay's articles as well as Toonen. (Seems he likes the product I am describing above)All good tank husbandry aside and since most if not all my corals are farmed and photosynthetic (99% or so) I believe they all will benefit from various types of foods. The question is which product?!!!!! Let me know what you think. Seems that DT's is the resident champ though.

Check here for background: www.instant-algae.com

Paul
Reef Biologic

 

[danmhippo]

I do not purchase from Reed Mariculture directly. But as far as I know, Brineshrimp Direct's famous blend, Taihetian blend is a mixed product made from Reed Mariculture's algae concentrates.

I have been using Taihetian blend and several other single strain phyto concentrates for years, on and off. I personally would prefer using algae paste over live DT's mainly for the cost factor. Buying DT is like buying very expensive water plus freight compared to buying algae concentrates. The only draw back of using algae paste is you need to be very precise in mixing the proper amount for your tank's need. As the article suggested, there is no fear of overfeeding with live phyto if you accidentally poured entire bottle of DT's into your tank. But, if you overfed with dead phytos, you will better hope you have a super efficient skimmer to help you out!!!

I had a chance of given a small bottle of algae paste to one of the LFS. I told them to give it a try. I also tell them the instruction is to mix 2 drops per 10 gallon of tank water. I went back to that LFS a couple of days later, and asked the owner how he liked it. The owner told me that the day he fed it to the tank, everything closed up, and water remains very cloudy for the next 3 days. I asked him how much did he use. He said he thought this stuff is about the same as DT's, so he used slightly less than he would using DT----------(He finally admitted he used about 1/4 bottle of it)! That is A LOT. Probably enough for daily feeding of my tank up to 3 months.

Overdosing of dead phyto also leads to one thing people complaints the most from using these concentrated dead phyto ---- the nuiance micro algae bloom. It is a no brainer to figure out excessive feeding will lead to ammonia spike, then nitrite spike, then nitrate spike......etc.

If you think you will have difficulty and do tend to stay on the "liberal feeding" side of usage, then I'd suggest people like that to stay away from instant algae products. Otherwise, it's a great product and everything my inhabitants such as sponge, gorgonians, clams, and pods relishes. BTW, you should see an increase in pod population with regular feeding of phytoplankton, live or dead. I do believe their reproduction rate is directly related to food availability.

 

[ReefBiologic]

Thank you for your reply. To everyone else, keep it coming. Want to hear all sides. I make daily water changes which basically turns over the entire tank over a 2 week period. I am doing average skimming and I reall try not to overfeed!!!! Again Reed Mariculture is now making a 100ml bottle that is now easier to adminstrate their phyto to reef tanks. I thought this was efficient and does make it easier to apply. So I am thinking of trying it out. Thanks again for your valued response!!!!!

Regards,

Paul
Reef Biologic

 

[newkie]

Dr. Ron Shimek turned me on to this years ago. You should be able to find some articles by Dr Ron about this stuff. I've been using it and golden pearls as "tank food" for years. Great stuff.

 

[ReefBiologic]

Thanks for the response. Are you in Santa Cruz, Ca.? I am in San Jose area. Are you part of any reef clubs in the area?