Brightwell Aquatics PhytoGold-M - Golden Phytoplankton (medium) 8-20 micron. * Provides phytoplankton ranging in size from 8 - 20æm.
* Ideally-sized for many soft corals, clams, sponges, tunicates, tube worms, and larval invertebrates.
* Formulated to provide over 50-million phytoplankton cells per ml.
* Does not require refrigeration.
* Supplemented with a proprietary amino acid to aid in coloration of invertebrates.
* Formulated by a marine scientist.
Technical Background:
Brightwell Aquatics PHYTŌGOLD-M is a concentrated suspension of
Thalassiosira sp., a unicellular marine algae ranging in size from 5 -
20æm and having a diverse nutritional profile; it is rich in the
omega-3 fatty acids ARA and DHA, as well as in several important amino
acids. Thalassiosira falls within the size class of plankton known as
nanoplankton (2.0 - 20.0æm), which is sometimes considered
microplankton. It is the proper size for feeding many species of soft
corals (particularly those with short tentacles), as well as clams and
other bivalves, sponges, tunicates (sea squirts), plumed worms
(Christmas tree worms, feather dusters, etc.), bryozoans, larval
invertebrates such as those of many crustaceans and bivalves, and
juvenile fishes.
Though Thalassiosira provides a number of amino acids, one that is not
naturally present has been added to PHYTŌGOLD-M; this proprietary
amino acid has been shown in studies to increase coloration of corals
and other marine invertebrates. Additionally, a small percentage of
vitamin-C is present to increase the benefits of PHYTŌGOLD-M,
particularly to corals and their allies that have recently undergone
fragmenting or propagation.
PHYTŌGOLD-M may be used in conjunction with other planktonic
suspensions to provide a complete range of sizes to filter-feeding and
planktivorous organisms.
Instructions and Guidelines:
Shake product well before using. Turn protein skimmer and other forms
of mechanical filtration off prior to adding food suspensions to
aquaria, and allow 10 - 15 minutes after feeding before resuming
operation of filtration.
Target Feeding (recommended): Target feeding may be carried out with a
lengthy piece of rigid air tubing, plastic syringe, pipette, dropper,
or similar device; pour 5 ml (1 capful) into a small container and
suck a portion of this into the feeding device, then slowly discharge
the contents of the device 2 - 4" upstream of the target organism(s).
Repeat these steps as deemed necessary. Rinse the portion (inside and
outside) of the feeder that was placed into aquarium water before
placing it into this bottle (if feeding directly from the bottle rather
than from a separate container); failure to do so will contaminate the
product and encourage it to decompose.
Broadcast Feeding: Add up to 5 ml per 50 gallons of water in the
entire aquarium system in an area of rapid water movement daily for
the first four weeks of use; thereafter, the dosage may be increased
as desired.
Notes: Add no more than 5 ml total of liquid food suspensions per 50
gallons of water in the entire aquarium system daily for the first
four weeks of use; thereafter, the dosage may be gradually increased
as desired. Starting out at a low dosage and gradually increasing it
with time will allow the biological filtration in the aquarium to
adjust to the increase in nutrients and prevent water quality from
deteriorating.
Planktonic food suspensions (such as this one) are best utilized by
target feeding specific invertebrates in an aquarium; in doing so, the
majority of the food may be consumed by the intended organisms rather
than ending up in filtration media or indirectly impacting water
quality (as often occurs when indiscriminately "broadcast feeding" by
adding liquid food suspensions to a stream of water and allowing the
contents to disperse randomly throughout the aquarium system).
Caution:
Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.
Ingredients:
Purified water, Thalassiosira sp. (phytoplankton), proprietary amino acids, Ascorbic acid, Citric acid.