Pods. Phyto. At AlgaeBarn, these are the bread and butter of the reef aquarium diet. And for sure, these two items form the base of most freshwater and marine food chains. Just consider OceanMagik, which is a blend of four distinctly different species of phytoplankton. Or EcoPods, which is a mixed-species (four, to be exact) seed culture of harpacticoid and cyclopoid copepods. In both examples, the particular combination of species is selected to offer both a wide particle size range and a well-balanced nutritional profile. Used together (i.e. the Ecopack Pod & Phyto Combo), these products cover a rather wide swath of the natural coral reef food web. But, is there any room for improvement?
Emphatically, yes. And wherever there is any way AlgaeBarn can improve upon reef aquarium nutrition, they’re on it. Such was the inspiration behind the Ultimate Ecopack. This complete reef food package includes the legendary OceanMagik, the unrivaled EcoPods, plus the PNS Product Combo. The PNS Product Combo itself includes the live bacterioplankton culture PNS ProBio and the simulated marine snow preparation PNS YelloSno.
Cool. So the Ultimate EcoPack includes more food. And because all these items are offered as a package, they are collectively purchased at a significantly reduced price. This is pretty sweet, as quality reef aquarium foods (especially live reef aquarium foods) are never cheap. But, in terms of meeting the overall nutritional needs of your aquarium livestock, is the Ultimate Ecopack greater than the sum of its parts?
Again, emphatically, yes. Citing two major factors (particle size and nutritional content), here’s why.
Big bites, micro bites
While all things tiny may seem to us to be a similar size (microscopic is microscopic, right?), the slightest size differences are hugely consequential for a phytoplanktivorous filter-feeder. This is why AlgaeBarn has paid such close attention to particle size. Just look at OceanMagik and compare the smallest species (Nannochloropsis gaditana) of 3-5 microns to the largest (Thalassiosira weissflogii) at 5-32 microns. A sponge might prefer something even smaller than Nannochloropsis whereas as coco worm might prefer something even larger than Thalassiosira.
And it’s all the same for zooplanktivores; a coral might prefer the teeny nauplii (i.e. larvae) of copepods such Oithona whereas a mandarin definitely will prefer the big, juicy adults of Tigriopus.
The addition of the live bacterioplankton (Rhodopseudomonas palustris) in PNS ProBio extends the lower size range size of your aquarium diet down to 1.2-2 microns. In the other direction, the flakes of marine snow in PNS YelloSno can agglomerate into chunks as large as a couple millimeters or more. Just before use, this product may be shaken lightly to keep these huge particles or shaken vigorously to produce tiny particles as desired.
Going nutrimental
Reef aquarium animals, from fish to corals to clams to foraminiferans, are incredibly diverse. They have dramatically different dietary needs. However, one of the things animals generally have in common is that they’re bad at synthesizing many key dietary substances. Many of these “essential nutrients” therefore must be introduced into their diet. Generally, these substances are produced by bacteria or algae and then are passed down the food chain. For example, phytoplankton synthesize many essential fatty acids, which are subsequently consumed by copepods, which are subsequently consumed by corals, small fish, etc.
The addition of PNS ProBio to the Ecopack adds considerably to the carotenoid profile of the phyto present in OceanMagic; this enhances health (through the introduction of antioxidants, for example) as well as enhancing coloration. These live probiotic bacteria also synthesize powerful antibiotic substances such as streptomycin and have indeed been shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio. Copepods (especially the heavily bacterivorous Oithona) consume these microbes and pass these substances up the food chain. Even more, these microbes are shown to be selectively taken up by many zooxanthellate corals for use as symbiotic nitrogen-fixers.
As with marine snow in nature, PNS YelloSno benefits reef aquaria in numerous ways. Its primary use, of course, is as a naturalistic food source for suspension feeding animals ranging from many soft corals to tube anemones, feather dusters, etc. This is not your run-of-the-mill detritus; rather, like real marine snow, it is nutritionally enriched (especially through certain microbial activities). Thus, it serves as a highly effective means of delivering protein, polysaccharides, minerals and trace elements.
PNS YelloSno is particularly rich in B vitamins (especially B12), which are in great demand across the board from certain microbes to fishes and corals. The bacteria in PNS ProBio, for example, benefit from the addition of vitamins B1, B7 and B12. There is no known vitamin B12 synthesis in any algal lineage, and perhaps half of all algal species (including both microalgae and macroalgae) absolutely require exogenous vitamin B12 for survival and growth. The normal source of B12 in nature appears to be bacteria, suggesting some important but as-of-yet poorly understood symbiosis.
Due to poor production of bacterioplankton and heavy filtration, captive systems can easily become B12 impoverished; PNS YelloSno helps to correct this issue. It may even be gutloaded into live zooplankton such as copepods, adult brine shrimp, daphnia, etc. just prior to feeding planktivorous fishes.
The Ecopack: Better than before
The best thing about the Ultimate Ecopack is that is cleans up after itself. So many aquarium foods pollute the aquarium water with regular use; the Ultimate Ecopack, in contrast, includes live organisms that help to maintain good water quality. For example, before they are eaten, the live phyto in OceanMagic assimilate ammonia, nitrate and phosphate from the aquarium water. Similarly, the photoheterotrophic bacteria in PNS ProBio assimilate ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate, but also consume organic wastes as a carbon source.
The live pods in EcoPods? Before they are eaten, they mop up detritus and film algae. If you add them in large enough numbers, and especially if you pamper them with a planted refugium, they can establish permanent populations and contribute to the efforts of your clean-up crew.
Some aquarium food kits are just a bunch of items haphazardly thrown together as a “package deal.” The Ultimate Ecopack, rather, is a complete reef aquarium diet–a comprehensive feeding system–showcasing the best available live and prepared foods. Using these products together as one, you can have the healthiest, cleanest and most diverse reef aquarium imaginable!
Ryan says
Can’t wait to add pods to my tank!
williamscronce09 says
Me to
Keith Samson says
Eco pods will go great wit my tig pod collection
Keith Samson says
Eco pods will go great wit my tig pod collection
Emily Rhamy says
I’m going to order tonight
superpickle01 says
Do the PODS make a big difference
Winston VanEssendelft says
Yes they do. they can survive most return pumps and are a great source of snacks for the fish. sometimes i take a turkey baster and squeeze some from my refugium and squirt it into the tank so the fish can have a snack
Maria Lynn Slabonik says
Great info on pods, etc. My last tank was loaded with pods, I have them in current tank but not like previous one. I plan on ordering the eco-pack. Thanks algaebarn for providing great products.
Matthew Ussery says
My pets thank you in advance for this food 🙂
Sydney Monroe says
Was just looking at this earlier and I’m getting some macro and this!
branngarybeary says
Waiting on my pods to arrive!
Ashley says
Definitely could always use mods pods.
Kevin Stout says
Feed well, do well. Get this !!!!
Jason Bohr says
Getting 3 bottles of pods soon! Woot!
Matthew says
CANT wait till it arrives, pods and coral will be happy!
Dion Charles says
I will definetly be getting some of these for myself to help add diversity to my tank
matt_armstrong53 says
Definitely could use more pods
missinglink358 says
Algae Barns stuff rocks!!!
Alex Jeffords says
i’m so excited to add my pods!
Jim says
Has done wonders for my tank
Umer Saleem says
This item arrived a day or two early and very well packaged. Most of the pods were active and swimming around. I would recommend this product.
eriks says
Great cuc and food for the critters.
J Beach says
Stuff rocks!
ekersd says
PNS products are interesting, may try on a new tank I’m setting up.
Danny says
Same
Brandon Thorn says
Great Info! :
Brooks says
good info
Alicia Clough says
Love these for my mandarin!
Samantha says
Sounds neat!
Paul Guilliam says
Love me some Pods and Swedish fish from Algae Barn
bryceaaubrey says
is there a benefit in adding the large amphipods?
Lisa says
Really cool stuff!
Simplyreefing says
Really do need this for my nps corals.
Robert Joseph Mastronardi says
Great overview of a more in-depth understanding of micro bacteria!
Robert Long says
GREAT product!
jwhisenhunt81 says
Love me some pods, waiting on my shipment now!
jwhisenhunt81 says
Love me some pods, waiting on my shipment now!
Kevin parsons says
Would be awesome to win this
Brian Sciolino says
Nice product
Brian Sciolino says
Nice product
Jim says
Great product
Keith Hayes says
Ordering again as soon as I need some
hoenigjeff1 says
Just ordered this
hoenigjeff1 says
Just ordered this
Morgan Fishanista Almeida says
Da bomb!!!
hallgirl1968 says
Me too
tomtorrone says
This really gonna help take my tank to the next level!
Jeffrey Ramirez says
I need more pods and the delish Swedish fish!
zachary_3 says
awesome stuff!
Ragnar says
Pods!
Shelby Foss says
Love the PNS items!
Tyler says
Looks like something I need
jhoffman says
Awesome products!
Mark Rivera says
Seems like a great way to boost a refugium.
Cynthia Ehlers says
Love this
Dallas Tippie says
This would be a great monthly addition to my tank!
chell slayton says
Always happy with Algae Barn pods!
Larry Rutherford says
Look forward to getting my order and filling my setup with pods.
Scott Schuette says
LOVE this!
Jacey Kirkpatrick says
This helped my tank soooo much! Everything is perfect now! ( no more dinos)
spatzerbrian says
This will differently be added to my tank. To help support more biodiversity, loved all the other products they see ULTIMATE Refugium Starter Pack, Coralline Algae, Phytoplankton & Pods. For 6 months now, I have not had to put my hand in to the tank to clean the glass on my 75 .