Though they are nowhere near as ecologically complex as actual, wild coral reefs, reef aquaria can be incredibly complicated and downright tricky to maintain in a “natural” manner. To be fair, reef aquarists have to sustain a precarious balance between underfeeding to the point of deprivation and overfeeding to the point of feculent nastiness. Waste products must be eliminated as efficiently as possible. All the while, the biological community is ever changing–mostly growing–making it a constant challenge to feed the many, diverse animals just the right amount of the right item.
Perhaps the easiest and surest way to provide ample, nutritious food to your reef animals whilst generating the least amount of rubbish is to use minimally processed or (even better yet) live foods such as those found in the Ultimate EcoPack. A well-preserved natural food item typically produces less waste, is quite nourishing and is palatable to a wide range of organisms. But live foods carry the distinction of being 100% intact nutritionally and are even more appetizing. And, arguably most important of all, many live foods actually reduce waste.
Wait, live foods can reduce the build-up of wastes in the tank? Some live foods, yes! And this applies to both dissolved and particulate wastes. In this respect, these organisms–primarily tiny plankton–help to control nutrient levels, thereby helping to curb the growth of nuisance algae. Additionally, some even consume nuisance algae!
Bearing all of this in mind, AlgaeBarn brings the entire base of the marine food pyramid to your tank on a platter with the Ultimate EcoPack. This truly unique, cost-effective package offers a virtual buffet of select items for your detritivores and planktivores alike:
- PNS YelloSno, a suspension feed that simulates marine snow.
- PNS ProBio, a live phototrophic bacterioplankton.
- OceanMagik, a four-species blend of live phytoplankton.
- EcoPods, a four-species mix of copepods.
No other reef aquarium food package presents a gathering as comprehensive and dynamic as the Ultimte EcoPack. Together, this cohort satisfies the dietary needs of your most demanding reef denizens from the most specialized corals to the finickiest small fishes.
Gooey goodness
Many marine suspension feeders are adapted for collecting and consuming particulate organic matter. Mainly heavily mineralized leftovers, this material tends not to be very high in nutritive value. Marine snow is a very notable exception to that. Essentially, marine snow is formed from particles of poorly degradable organic debris (e.g. chitin-rich fragments of dead copepod exoskeletons) that have become colonized by nutritious microbes. These suspended particles grow, and then sink out of suspension, as they stick together.
Biological activity on these miniscule particles can become intense enough to deplete oxygen over their surfaces. This leaves an ideal microhabitat for purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), which actually prefer anoxic conditions.
Each dose of PNS YelloSno™ simulates a marine snowfall. Made with a natural chitinous material that is colonized with live PNSB, this product is flash pasteurized to lock in its wholesomeness (protein, B vitamins and amino acids) and preserve its partially photofermented state. Particle sizes range from infinitesimal (e.g. individual heat-deactivated microbial cells) to huge (e.g. flocculated clumps). While in suspension, it is consumed by animals ranging from soft corals to tube worms; when settled into the sediments it is consumed by copepods, sand-sifting sea cucumbers, etc.
Going pro
Aside from containing purple non-sulfur bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas palustris), the PNS ProBio™ found in the EcoPack differs significantly from the above. Firstly, this is a live culture, capable of establishing itself in the water column, in the sand bed and even within the guts of animals (as a probiotic). Further, the bacteria it contains exist mainly as free-living, highly motile bacterioplankton.
R. palustris is well-known by aquaculturists for its nutritional, as well as probiotic, benefits. Not only is it quite rich in protein but it also produces copious amounts of color-enhancing carotenoids such as astaxanthin. These very tiny cells are a perfect food for fine filter-feeders ranging from sponges to certain copepods (especially Oithona).
But that’s not all. PNSB are proven to remove ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate as well as dissolved and particulate organics (e.g. detritus) in both aerobic and anaerobic parts of the aquarium system. The more you feed, the cleaner the tank!
In the green
Tropical coral reef waters are characteristically oligotrophic (i.e. nutrient-poor). They thus have limited phytoplanktonic productivity, which is why they are so clear. Despite the relatively low natural abundance of phyto in reef waters (much of which is actually washed in from offshore habitats with the tides), it is a critically important component of reef animal diets, and is included in the EcoPack. This is because it is so rich in essential vitamins and fatty acids. Just like on a natural reef, phyto is quickly consumed in a heavily stocked reef aquarium and should be replenished regularly.
Despite the fact that phyto is such a precious commodity, some phytoplanktivores are quite selective (e.g. for cell size) about the types they will eat. On top of that, different phyto species have different (and not quite complete) nutritional profiles. To solve this issue, AlgaeBarn developed OceanMagik. This live feed is a blend of microalgae selected for complimentary sizes and nutritional content (Nannochloropsis gaditana, Tetraselmis sp., Isochrysis galbana and Thalassiosira weissflogii).
An added benefit of dosing OceanMagic is that this live product takes up dissolved nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate and silicate from the system water as it grows. A food that cleans up after itself!
Stuck in the middle
Regarded as the most abounding animals in the ocean, copepods are ecologically indispensable for their role as food chain middlemen. As key trophic intermediaries, they facilitate the linear trophic transfer of nutrients and food energy from the base towards higher parts of the food pyramid. That is, many vital compounds they consume (fatty acids, carotenoids, etc.) may be passed on to the animals (planktivorous fishes, stony corals, etc.) that eat them.
Though they all might just look like teeny bugs to us, copepods are so diverse in form and behavior that it is common for multiple species to occupy rather specialized niches in the same habitat. This correspondingly supports a greater range of zooplanktivores. Hence EcoPods!
EcoPods is a live seed culture in the ultimate ecopack that contains two cyclopoid (Apocyclops and Oithona) and two harpacticoid (Tigriopus and Tisbe) copepod species. The two species representing each group are of different size classes. The tiny planktonic larvae of both types serve as an excellent food for many corals. The adult cyclopoids, which also are largely planktonic in habit, satisfy the needs of larger zooplanktivores (for example, fishes such as anthias, chromis, etc.). The adult harpacticoids, which are benthic in habit, satisfy the needs of animals that hunt small crustaceans on the seafloor (mandarins, for example); they additionally contribute to your clean-up crew, devouring detritus and film algae.
In practice
Absolutely, the live copepods in EcoPods effectively transfer the nutriment of PNS YelloSno, PNS ProBio and OceanMagik to the fish, corals and other zooplanktivores in your tank. By helping to control dissolved nutrients levels and nuisance algae growth, they promote a cleaner, healthier aquarium environment. This makes the Ultimate EcoPack more than just a “combo” package; it’s an entire, synergistic, living chunk of the marine food web readymade for your captive reef.
What makes it “ultimate” is that no other pack comes close to meeting so many of your reef animals’ dietary needs so naturally and so effectively. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be enhanced or improved! For a full-on reef feeding frenzy, order a side of Nano Brine with your next Ultimate EcoPack. Gutload the brine shrimp by soaking them in a gallon of tank water with doses of PNS ProBio and OceanMagic (remember to add the air stone!) for one hour before adding to the tank. Also, go ahead and enrich all of your prepared foods with probiotics by soaking them in PNS ProBio for a minute or two before use. The possibilities of cool Ultimate EcoPack feeding hacks–as multiplex as this package is–are virtually endless.
Recently ordered the echo pack! Looking forward to supplementing my tank with live phyto and pods!
I need to pick this up.
Me too
me toooo!!
Can’t wait to use this
same
I thought it was an added bonus…..
The copepods in my tank are amazing to watch. My wrasse loves them too!
Always, awesome quality!!!
This stuff is awesome
ditto
ditto
Same
I need this…
Meee too
Same
Next time they go on sale I’m buying some
Me to, its a great combo
Recently bought refugium bonus pack..
Can’t wait
waiting for next promo
Neat
Makes a huge difference when you use the refugium kit, great product.
yes, very clean and good recommended
same
Best pods ever
I love mine
Need to get this
Nice
Your going to love it
Haven’t ordered it please let me know how it works out
i just set up a new reef tank for first time!! would love to start a refugium!!!
I’ve bought purple algae before and it’s incredible!
Pen15
Awesome! I find phyto sooo much easier to culture than I ever thought previously
How was it!?
I recently got that same pack.. I have so many lil critters swimming around in my tanks now.. this pack is awesome
Just ordered mine! Excited to see how my tank reacts!
Already did I see my mandarin just going crazy picking at the rock
👍
I got the eco pack my fish seem to love them
Need PODS
I am thinking so too!
Live algae barn. Always use their pods to seed and reestablish a pod population. Thanks!!
I’ve added pods to my tank twice now, once from Algaebarn and once from another reef clean up crew site. My fish enjoyed feeding on the pods and I did notice a slight initial reduction in algae for the week following. Definitely appreciate learning more about the various possible methods of making my tank more self-sustaining!
I’ve added pods to my tank twice now, once from Algaebarn and once from another reef clean up crew site. My fish enjoyed feeding on the pods and I did notice a slight initial reduction in algae for the week following. Definitely appreciate learning more about the various possible methods of making my tank more self-sustaining!
Sounds like my tank needs this!!!
Sammeee
Sammeee
Sammeee
Sammeee
👍🏻
I’ve tried live phytoplankton, and it was very helpful. I’ll definitely have to consider this pack.
Lot’s of pods needed.
One can never have too many.
Best clean Pods and Algae!
Super dee duper!
how often would you recommend using the two ?
1 time per month
would you spot feed for the coral or tank feed?
Definitely looking forward to trying pods soon!
This was a good read, nice to learn a lot more about what you actually putting into your tank.
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good info
I use your products at home and at the store I work at, great company
Probably need more pods by now.
This stuff is amazing!!!
Great customer service
Agreed!
i should buy some of this stuff
Great job!!
I have tried Ocean magik and ecopods. Both are great.
I have tried Ocean magik and ecopods. Both are great.
I have tried Ocean magik and ecopods. Both are great.
I have tried Ocean magik and ecopods. Both are great.
I have tried Ocean magik and ecopods. Both are great.
My fish love pods and they last for weeks inside the rocks and tank sand!
I’m in love with this
Good stuff
Good stuff
Good read
Great info!
Looks like and awesome pack.
Once my tank is really p and running I will be using this.
Corals are saying YUMMY!!!
This is definitely the deal for my nano reef!
This stuff is awesome!!
Copepods
Just starting up my 45 frag tank so hopefully these help out!
Sounds good
I need me some pods!
I need me some pods!
I plan to buy eco pods.
Copepods make my fish happy
Copepods make my fish happy
Fish love copepods
Fish love em
I’ve got a population of copepods, but I’d like to increase the diversity of species!
If I can’t win it I’ll still buy some!
Great read as always! PODs needed!
Love the mix.
Can’t wait to get my order so I can comment!
Great stuff
cool
Good source for clean pods!
I believe in keeping a reef aquarium the closest to a natural conditions, and I love all the products that Algaebarn offers to the reefing community. And this is my place to go. Thanks.
Everyone needs these pods in their tanks.
Love my Refugium Starter Kit.
Definitely want to try it!
My mandarin loves your pod packs!
I wish I could get this sadly they would die before they reached Australia!
Good stuff
Great stuff
great stuff
Must order ASAP
Great stuff
I use to have a 30 gallon fish tank solely for pods… the good ol days
Perfect for a reef tank!!!
Perfect for a reef tank!!!
Hey thanks for the information and just want to know if this help reduce nitrates
Just ordered some and it makes all the difference for our reef tanks’ happiness, ready for more!
Just started my Chaeto in a LED Media reactor hoping for great things, love natural nutrient removal. Go Algae Barn
Newbie!! someone gave me chaeto and it is rare? looks like grapes on vines? added pods and 16 oz.of the live phyto over the coarse of the last month Ive only a hand full of small coral frags yet….what a huge project !! Parameters and water top off !! WOW!! lots of work! 100 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump… all DIY …. lots to convert and deal with… Especially the Cost of LIGHTING!!
This looks really beneficial!
Perfect giveaway! 💛
Cheato vs seaweed?
Nice!
What’s the dosing for the yellow snow and pro bio? Lifespan?
good things come from pods…..
Sweet place
Just ordered!!
My fish love it.
My fish love it.
Best place to get pods that I could find.
I’ve loved my EcoPacks so much so far. Great combo of pod species.
🙌 hands down beat place to buy stuff
1st order is in! I’m so excited for my package to arrive!! I heard nothing but the best from AlgaeBarn
Ordered some pods for my refugium. Patiently waiting
Always nice pods!!
I’m ready for mine
Best ever!!!!!
Love the EcoPack
Looking forward to ordering the Ecopack and didn’t realize all the benefits of marine snow. Have pods growing in a side tank at the moment, but excited to guyload them with the oceanmagik, so my scooter gets all the benefits of his favorite meal!
Love this product!
Hmm. Need to try this product out..sounds promising
sounds interesting
This was a good read, nice to learn a lot more about what you actually putting into your tank.
Definitely want to try it!
Hmm. Need to try this product out..sounds promising
Copepods make my fish happy
Me too
Need PODS
Man I need to order my pods from y’all
Great article
Thanks for the info!
👍
Love your products
interesting read
this is something that ive been interesting in trying,so im happy to be reading more about it
Algae barn rocks
👌
👌
Currently have dosed my tank with eco pods and regular feedings of phytoplankton. Everything seems to be thriving but hard to tell if the pods are thriving or not.
New to the reef hobby world! Thanks to coralfish12g for the educational and helpful video on the refugium setup. I hope I win this weeks contest to try out the pods everyone seems to enjoy! Thank you algaebarn!
Loving these blog posts. Keep it up!
Do corals eat pods?
Just curious, once the algae is gone do you still need to have algae eaters in your tank? Very informative about live algae eaters just didn’t see anything about needing to keep them all the time. Thank you!
Useful info as always. Thanks
❤❤❤
Need to order my pods from here instead
Another good read
AMAZING PRODUCT! WONDERFUL RESULTS!
INFORMATIVE AND FANTASTIC
nice contest
Oh man, can’t wait to pick this up. I had no idea about the synergy between all these different products. Love it.
Love the pods
cool
My corals love this stuff!
Look forward to trying the Ecopods!
really want to try this
Thanks
check out my vids
Awesome
Would the eco pack be good for a tank with Zoas?
Would the eco pack be good for a tank with Zoas?
Nice
It is great having a reliable company to buy live tank foods from!
Thank you!
my corals and fish love pods and pods do a great clean up job
New to the saltwater world, just ordered my refugium start up kit.. Can’t wait ti receive..
I definitely need swimming copapods. the pack sounds good but seems a little pricy.
Great website, great info.. will be ordering soon!
🔥
Good stuff
How many pods for 20 gallon?
Fish love the pods
Is Ocean Magik still okay after a 4-5 months of being in the fridge?
This is great!
Best place for pods!!!
Good for mrs dragonet
I need more pods, my fish go crazy over them
I normally go for the 4800 pods havent used the eco pods yet definitely on my next purchase
wow..excited to receive
Will be purchasing my pack soon
Awesome job!
Very thorough info. I had been concerned that phyto was increasing phos/no3, but this post cleared that up. Thank you!
Love all your products!
Anxiously awaiting my second order! Need to seed more tanks!
Really want to try it.
Wish i had that eco pac!
I live Pods
Starting a new tank and would love to start loading up with some of this. Nice packages
Just ordered first time looking forward to arrival of pod kit!
I need more life in my water.
Great post!
🔥
Been using ecopods for a few months now, let me tell you my refugium and tank is full of these pods now. My wrasse is going nuts every day trying to keep their population down, she swears its her soul purpose in life.
This why your site is so fantastic. Great information and very informative. and thanks for helping our reef tanks look so great!
Just ordered pods for my upgraded tank. Great giveaway!
Love the clam and copepods are high quality. My fish enjoy the ulva!!!
Great products. Perfect place to start your refugium.
Just placed another order. Excellent products!!
Been trying to culture my own phyto for a bit but I’ve crashed 3 so far and kept one goin
Great!
this is now on my wish list
Thanks
Great love the pods
This would be great to try in my mixed reef!
pods sound like the deal.
Going to have a happy healthy reef with this kit. Time to start building my population before I add the mandarin.
This is a must get
I need some pods!!!!
soon as i buy all the rest of my fish and inverts im hoping to make an order for some macro algea and pods but im in Canada and the cold weathers coming fast so hoping i can really soon :O
Soon as i finish buying all my fish and inverts ,I am hoping to be able to make an order for some macro aglea and pods , but im in canada and the cold weather is coming fast ,so im hoping real soon :O
Ordered some Macro Algae, came fast and packaged well. Took a big whif and almost gagged. Dont smell the sea lettuce LOL.
AlgaeBarn Rocks! Love your Pioneer Pods, 5280 pods, and the upcoming CADE tanks… Can’t wait to try your OceanMagik Phytoplankton!
Would love to check the pods out.
Can’t wait for my first eco pack!
Once my fuge is up and running, this shall be added
.y copepods I got in my refugium kit are doing great!
Good article
Very informative.
How often do these go on sale?
I started using these products about 2 years ago. Since I have gone all natural, i have had great success. Dosing 3oz every 2 days of Phyto, (which by the way is THE best on the market), i have kept algae in check and parameters all in the green zone day in and day out. Thanks AlgaeBarn! You all are the greatest.
Yasssss good article
Love using your pods! My tank has never been healthier
Just Added some becteria and yellow sno combo pack in my reef tank and would have to say it’s a great buy !
My tank comes to live when I put there pods in . Supper nice
Can’t wait for my red ogo to arrive.
Thanks for the info. I hope my tank only gets more diverse.
Can’t wait to try your products. I have heard so many good things about your products!
Wondering if daily dosage is limited based on how many inhabitants in a given aquarium eat the pods?
Pods are my favorite FIRST clean up crew!
Love your products
Might have to grab some.
Looking to add some to new refugium!
Why’s it have to cost so much?
My next change in my tank will be to try these products and hope for results that I can share.
Ready to try some!!
👍
This stuff changed my tank from constant headache to enjoyable!
This stuff changed my tank from constant headache to enjoyable!
we wants it. we needs it
Me too!
It is getting towards that time to start my pod population!
It is almost time to start my pod population. I am excited about this product.
Thank you for the information.
I need this
Been wanting to get these ones for a while!
Refugium is very important to a healthy tank
Excellent info. Thanks.
Great stuff, excited to get my first shipment!
Sweet!
Awesome Read
Algae barn is terrific
Very interesting read.
Would love to try any of the eco packs
Would love to try any of the eco packs!! Great read!
Nice! Great info
Me too
Great read … Lots of good info
Great article
How long will take for pods to reproduce?
Cool!
Nice combo 👍
Great product hard to find locally
Definantly food for thought
Hreat
I have the pleasure of not only being in the hobby but working in the hobby !
My customers as well as my self love the pod packs!
great info thank you. I’m looking forward to purchasing this combo 😎
❤️algae Barn!❤️
as dave chappelle would say…. got any of them packs????
as dave chappelle would say…. got any of them packs????
I add pods to all my tanks. I should probably start adding phyto, then I might not need to keep adding pods!
Great products.
Very nice
Going to have to try next time I order pod
I have ordered pods a couple times and they’re awesome! Keeps my fish happy and helps keep my tank clean.
Thanks for the tips!
Great products and information.
I use this regularly and have seen a huge difference since I started.
Sounds like I needs this!!!
yep it works great
yep use everyday
I need to pick up a pack.
This might also be a need
Thank you guys for all your doing for the community
Great blog post, very informative. I want as much micro biodiversity in my tank as possible
Sounds like a great product
I need to try some!
I need this in my aquarium!
Very hardy, good pods
Great read.. Thanks a lot!!
1234
Great info. Really helped to clear up what snow and probio are and their differences…. at least for me.
Awesome!
Looks great!
Pod power
Good info. Thanks
hope to try some day
I need them!
cool
Great information and help!
Seems easy till it falls apart
Seems easy till it falls apart
Seems easy till it falls apart
Haven’t tried all these yet but someday.
=)
would like to try out the ecopods for my new tank heared good story’s about you guys
Nice
I need to start looking at these packs more. Never bought one before.
Looking forward for a shipment
AWESOME!!
It is nice to see a bundle! I like your pods so far!
gonna have to get me some of them!
Good article
Sorry…very noob question…
When I used to feed frozen food back in the day, I would soak small pieces in a little tank water and just feed with a small eye dropper. Is this still common practice or is everyone using something mechanical now? (Doser?) For as amazingly well as my corals did back when I last had a tank (20 years ago) I feel like I’m only qualified to parent a couple of goldfish now. LOL
I need to get me one of these packs!
My dwarf seahorses are hooked on these!
Will be picking this up next, good info
That was a Very Informative ! Thanks Guys 🙂
Need to pick up some more….
Looks like a good thing to have on hand for a varied diet for the fish.
Couldn’t be happier with every purchase
Just starting another new reef tank. Definitely will add this to my must haves!
Good read.
Cant wait for chaeto to be back in stock!
Adding phyto made a huge difference in my coral growth rate and overall openness and color. Definitely buying more!
Awesome!! Thanks GUys
Love the products
I just ordered the bogo this week!!
I really love your article.
Great phyto and pods. Used both
How often should I use this products?
Me toooooo!
Thanks!
Cool
I will need to consider this when I upgrade to a bigger tank soon
Always need more pods
received another shipment of pods. The fish are happy!
I’m debating on getting this but not sure if it’s needed for my tank. Love the package though
Nice
Happy to here and learn!!
Thanks all that u do !
Very very interesting
How long can the phyto last in the fridge after opening ?
Great stuff fast shipping to Canada
Cant wait until my order comes in
Nice pods
Can’t wait to use my pods
Imma have to get some
Would love to try PNS bacteria for feed my corals
ready to start
Started using your pods. So far so good.
Started using your pods. So far so good.
Any suggestions on the use of the PNS, first time!
I’ve used all of these except the yellow sno.
Winner Winner…. 🐔🍗
Been using pods for over six years and love eco pods
It is so important to have biodiversity in your aquarium. I am happy that you are a reliable, pathogen free source.
Would love to try some!