Its no secret that biodiversity is beneficial in our tanks and introducing little critters and different microfauna better helps establish the reef tank ecosystem more harmoniously. It’s all about checks and balances and the principles apply in various aspects of reef keeping.
We all know about the different types/brands of bottled bacteria so I won’t get into that personally but feel free if you’d like.
In my opinion, the benefits of a diverse microfauna and beneficial (some not so beneficial!) hitchhiker critters can be gained by the use of high quality true live rock, but not everyone is able to or wants to go that route.
So in that spirit, I wanted to focus primarily on microfauna/various little critters, and their sources. Primarily to seed that diversity in our tanks that may be too “sterile” in that manner. I wanted to create a list of sources I have personally purchased from and wanted to open it up to you guys so you can add sources also. I do realize this is anecdotal and I cannot prove any added benefit from the addition of any of these.
But I’m curious if there are hidden gems out there source/vendor wise! So keep the list growing!
Sources:
IndoPacific Sea Farms: Live sand activator, Wonder Mud, various worms, stars, CUC’s
Walt Smith Fiji Mud
GARF: Grunge Original, Bag of Bugs
ReefBrite: Reef Bugs
Algae Barn: Various Pods
Reed Mariculture: Various pods
Sachs Aquaculture: Various Pods, Shrimps
Steve Tyree: Cryptic Seed Starter (have not ordered yet but plan on it)
Gulf Coast Ecosystems: Macros, Sponges, Gorgonions
Reef Cleaners: Macros, Various CUC
We all know about the different types/brands of bottled bacteria so I won’t get into that personally but feel free if you’d like.
In my opinion, the benefits of a diverse microfauna and beneficial (some not so beneficial!) hitchhiker critters can be gained by the use of high quality true live rock, but not everyone is able to or wants to go that route.
So in that spirit, I wanted to focus primarily on microfauna/various little critters, and their sources. Primarily to seed that diversity in our tanks that may be too “sterile” in that manner. I wanted to create a list of sources I have personally purchased from and wanted to open it up to you guys so you can add sources also. I do realize this is anecdotal and I cannot prove any added benefit from the addition of any of these.
But I’m curious if there are hidden gems out there source/vendor wise! So keep the list growing!
Sources:
IndoPacific Sea Farms: Live sand activator, Wonder Mud, various worms, stars, CUC’s
: : : : Indo-Pacific Sea Farms : : : :
Indo-Pacific Sea Farms produces captive-bred marine life for healthier reef aquariums: invertebrates, detritivores, live sand, snail grazers, amphipods, beneficial worms, macro algae, plankton, corals, coral food and beneficial bacteria.
www.ipsf.com
Walt Smith Fiji Mud
GARF: Grunge Original, Bag of Bugs
GARF STORE
www.garf.org
ReefBrite: Reef Bugs
ReefBugs - Reef Brite
Supercharge your reef or marine aquarium. ReefBugs an all natural live alternative to feeding corals, and other filter feeders.
www.reefbrite.com
Algae Barn: Various Pods
5280 Pods
Each 16oz portion of 5280 Pods contains 5280+ LIVE Tigriopus, Tisbe, and Apocyclops Copepods ranging from nauplii to adult sizes. 5280 Pods is great for seeding new tanks and refugiums, boosting existing populations, or feeding finicky fish & inverts such as Mandarins, Seahorses, Anthias...
www.algaebarn.com
Reed Mariculture: Various pods
Reed Mariculture | Ensuring Hatchery Success
Reed Mariculture products are used in hatcheries in more than 90 countries around the world. In contrast to traditional practice, we produce only whole-cell, whole food microalgae feeds and enrichment products from marine algae using proprietary processes.
reedmariculture.com
Sachs Aquaculture: Various Pods, Shrimps
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www.aquaculturestore.com
Steve Tyree: Cryptic Seed Starter (have not ordered yet but plan on it)
Farmed Sponges and Sea Squirts Reeffarmers
www.reeffarmers.com
Gulf Coast Ecosystems: Macros, Sponges, Gorgonions
Macro Algae: Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae | Gulf Coast Ecosystems
We specialize in saltwater Macroalgae and Seagrass | GCE has the largest selection of Macroalgae online, offering over 35 different species
www.live-plants.com
Reef Cleaners: Macros, Various CUC
Reef Cleaners - Clean up Crews and Macroalgae
We specialize in algae eating invertebrates, natural filtration, and algae solutions for saltwater aquariums.
www.reefcleaners.org
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