Description
MicroMagic Freshwater phytoplankton is a nutritious blend of 4 live microalgae species that is suitable for freshwater invertebrates, some fish and fry. The new and improved formula of this wide spectrum feed offers varied particle size (2-500 microns) and caters for most filter-feeders through all developmental stages.
Why is phytoplankton important?
Phytoplankton (microalgae) along with macroalgae are primary producers in the aquatic ecosystems and are the foundation of the aquatic food chain. By using energy from sunlight, they convert dissolved inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and are then eaten by primary consumers like zooplankton, small fish, shellfish and crustaceans. These in turn are fed on by secondary consumers, and so on. Therefore microalgae are the ultimate source of food and energy for other organisms in aquatic ecosystems.
Who is MicroMagic Freshwater phytoplankton for?
Freshwater filter feeders that rely directly on phytoplankton (microalgae) include bivalves like clams and mussels, some shrimp and zooplankton like rotifers, copepods and Daphnia. Hence MicroMagic is a great nutritional source of food for most invertebrate filter feeders in your aquarium. Others who heavily benefit from MicroMagic in your tank are the secondary consumers: your fish and everything else that feeds on zooplankton. Zooplankton fed and enriched with microalgae, is packed with nutrients and pigments that get transferred to your fish when eaten. This means enhanced growth, health and coloration for all the inhabitants of your aquarium.
Why is MicroMagic beneficial to your tank?
In addition to being an excellent feed, MicroMagic live phytoplankton removes excess nutrients by actively seeking out and consuming the Nitrates and Phosphates in your aquarium. In contrast, processed (dead) feeds only add to the nutrient load by starting to decompose straight away. This means that with continued use of MicroMagic phytoplankton you get fewer algae and more zooplankton! Continued use of MicroMagic will also stabilize pH in your tank.
What’s in it?
MicroMagic Freshwater is formulated using 3 of some of the most studied freshwater algae genera in the world- Chlorella, Haematococcus and Chlamydomonas. It also contains a diatom.
CHLOR
Chlorella vulgaris is a green microalga that is rich in growth factor, pigments, essential amino acids and other biomolecules that play a vital role in improving fish performances. Chlorella spp. is one of the most commercially abundant microalgae and broadly accepted as food or feed supplement due to its naturally valuable nutritional content with myriad health benefits in fish and crustaceans. Numerous roles of C. vulgaris in animal nutrition and health include improvements in growth performance, feed utilisation, survival, disease resistance, inhibition of bacterial quorum sensing, immunity, stress tolerance, gut microbiota and aquatic bioremediation. The effects are supported by the so-called Chlorella growth factor (CGF), chlorellin (potent antibacterial compound) and strong antioxidant activity of C. vulgaris.
HAEMA
Haematococcus pulvialis, a green freshwater microalga, is a one of the main producers of natural astaxanthin (pink carotenoid), the most powerful antioxidant known to man. Astaxanthin is what gives salmon and trout it’s pinkish color and will promote the health and coloration of your aquarium fish and crustaceans.
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CHLAM
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a green microalgae used as a model organism in science and has many biotechnological applications. A recent study has shown that it also has the capacity to nutritionally rival Chlorella and Spirulina. It has a great amino- and fatty acid profile and is especially high in alpha-linoleic acid (ALA). C. reinhardtii contains more Selenium and has relatively high concentrations of chlorophyll (a + b) and total carotenoids when compared to the current algal superfood market leaders.
CHAETO
Chaetoceros sp. – a freshwater strain of this diatom genera is very efficient at removing excess nutrients from your tank. Unlike the nuisance diatoms that you sometimes find forming an unsightly film on the walls of your tank, this genus is planktonic- meaning that the cells of it remain suspended in the water column, making it available for the filter feeders to consume. Prolonged use of CHAETO can help combat other nuisance diatoms by outcompeting them for nutrients and silica.
Usage Directions
Add 5ml per 40L 3-4 times per week for the first week. Increase by 2ml each week for three weeks, and then adjust as needed.
- Use with Aquatic Live Food’s live copepods, rotifers and Daphnia to establish or maintain a healthy zooplankton population in your tank.
- This will be enjoyed by your clean-up crew.
- Gradually increase MicroMagic dose to increase copepod populations.
Storage
- Store in the fridge
- Is best when used within 14 days
- Do not freeze
- Shake bottle periodically to prolong useful life
The MicroMagic Freshwater Mix only one of the many products we are proud to offer at Aquatic Live Food. Check out our website for many more exciting products in store!
