Daphbio on ZebrasO’mag no. 20

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One of reef aquarium keepers’ main concerns is how to feed their coral.

One way is to try to ensure the tank has abundant bacteria flora by devising home-made recipes (ground-up sea food, etc.).

Although such methods are not entirely pointless, they tend to directly target what the coral actually needs, such as the phytoplankton on which coral feeds (vitamins omega 3, 6, and 9).

But do they really work?

Do these long-standing methods not pose the risk of jeopardising the cycle?

  • A rise in nitrites from a highly-polluting product.
  • Uncontrollable “bacterial bloom” (massive proliferation).
  1. The use of a highly-polluting product that could cause a rise in nitrites at any time, which could itself be fatal to both fish and coral alike.
  2. Uncontrolled bacterial bloom, such as can be caused by such unchecked homemade recipes, can reanimate pathogenic bacteria.

It is a phenomenon than can occur by stealth and can be difficult to spot. “Good” bacteria can easily be overcome by stronger and more resilient pathogenic bacteria.

The latter can multiply swiftly by scissiparity (one cell splitting in two) and take the place of the harmless bacteria. Corals have hardly any resistance to this kind of bacteria. The harm caused can be considerable, as coral can die very quickly, especially hard corals.

So, alongside any positive results that a homemade recipe can bring, the risks it might cause in the medium or even long term should be taken into consideration.

Hence the benefit of regularly reintroducing good bacteria into a reef aquarium.

1) Feeding coral

Using Microfauna Booster and Zoo Booster will feed your coral. For this to work, both products need to be added at the same time, in the evening. Consequently, with their polyps extended, coral will be able to feed fully.

2) Feeding microfauna and demersal fish – mandarins, invertebrates, etc.

It is simplistic to think that microfauna will be happy with fish droppings and leftover food not eaten by the fish. This is an inadequate diet. Sooner or later, the microfauna population reduces until it disappears completely.
It is vital to supply it with appropriate feed regularly, so it can maintain its main activity of regulating the level of waste and droppings in the aquarium.
Through a snowball effect, the cycle established in this way will enable the other inhabitants of the aquarium to feed – surface fish, pelagic and demersal fish, corals, etc.

Microfauna Booster used alone can feed mandarins, shrimps and prawns, demersal fish and all filtering organisms and invertebrates to perfection. The latter will start to look for the micro-particles once they are distributed by the product.

3) Introducing live non-pathogenic bacteria specific to saltwater

Live non-pathogenic bacteria specific to saltwater are essential to a saltwater aquarium. However, they can soon disappear or come to be replaced by pathogenic bacteria (see above). It is therefore essential not to let pathogenic bacteria appear if a healthy habitat is to be maintained.

Microfauna Booster can be used to achieve this.

Microfauna Booster and Zoo Booster

Microfauna Booster and Zoo Booster must be used at the same time. To be effective, approximately 25% more Zoo Booster must be used than the quantity of Microfauna Booster.

Zoo Booster can be used in two ways:

  • - Reintroduction: the entire bottle must be used in 6 days.
  • - Maintenance: a 40-ml dose will be poured over a month, every two or three days after the light has been switched off, until the bottle is used.

Using Microfauna Booster and Zoo Booster will enable the fish-keeper to reintroduce top-quality micro-nutrients and live bacteria at no risk. This will feed all the life in the aquarium, including the microfauna, in a natural way; the return of organic fishkeeping.

Source: ZebrasO’mag 20