Description
Overview:
Marine snow is a term coined by oceanographers to describe aggregate particulate material (which may or may not be organic) falling towards the sea floor; the material, itself, is largely composed of the remnants of deceased zooplankton and large phytoplankton. These organic particles typically become colonized by various microorganisms (primarily bacteria and protozoans) during their descent towards the sea floor; the decomposition of the organic material by the microorganism “colony” on each particle recycles the nutrients locked up within it. The constant descent of these particles through the water column has the appearance of snow fall, hence the name “marine snow”. While marine snow is primarily associated with productive regions of the open ocean rather than tropical coral reefs, the concept (with some improvements adressing the requirements of reef-building organisms) may be applied to reef aquaria as a means of simultaneously delivering organic and inorganic nutrients to corals and other suspension-feeding invertebrates. Brightwell Aquatics Reef Snow effectively replicates the concept of marine snow by combining a “core substrate” of carbonate-bound, non-conservative major, minor, and trace elements (all in aragonite ratios) with marine-derived proteins and fatty acids (all in coral tissue ratios). It does not contain any sugars or their derivatives. Reef Snow delivers both organic and inorganic nutrients to corals and their allies, clams, tube worms, and other suspension-feeding marine invertebrates; it may be of particular benefit to the hobbyist wishing to maintain azooxanthellate soft corals in deep-water biotope aquaria. The collective benefits of providing these nutrients in the same “package” are increased growth rates of both soft tissue and skeletal material.
- Complex of carbonate-bound, non-conservative major, minor, and trace elements in aragonite ratios, as well as marine-derived proteins and lipids in coral tissue ratios.
- Simultaneously delivers appropriate inorganic and organic nutrients required by stony corals, both zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate soft corals, gorgonians, clams, tube worms, sponges, tunicates, and other suspension-feeding invertebrates for growth of both soft tissue and skeletal material.
- Ideally fed at night when most corals extend their tentacles for prey capture.
- Does not require refrigeration.
- Formulated by a marine scientist.
Marine snow is a term coined by oceanographers to describe aggregate particulate material (which may or may not be organic) falling towards the sea floor; the material, itself, is largely composed of the remnants of deceased zooplankton and large phytoplankton. These organic particles typically become colonized by various microorganisms (primarily bacteria and protozoans) during their descent towards the sea floor; the decomposition of the organic material by the microorganism “colony” on each particle recycles the nutrients locked up within it. The constant descent of these particles through the water column has the appearance of snow fall, hence the name “marine snow”. While marine snow is primarily associated with productive regions of the open ocean rather than tropical coral reefs, the concept (with some improvements adressing the requirements of reef-building organisms) may be applied to reef aquaria as a means of simultaneously delivering organic and inorganic nutrients to corals and other suspension-feeding invertebrates. Brightwell Aquatics Reef Snow effectively replicates the concept of marine snow by combining a “core substrate” of carbonate-bound, non-conservative major, minor, and trace elements (all in aragonite ratios) with marine-derived proteins and fatty acids (all in coral tissue ratios). It does not contain any sugars or their derivatives. Reef Snow delivers both organic and inorganic nutrients to corals and their allies, clams, tube worms, and other suspension-feeding marine invertebrates; it may be of particular benefit to the hobbyist wishing to maintain azooxanthellate soft corals in deep-water biotope aquaria. The collective benefits of providing these nutrients in the same “package” are increased growth rates of both soft tissue and skeletal material.