Description
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Hair Algae Killer Kit
Hair algae is one of the most feared pests in the reef aquarium. Don’t stand alone against this threat; use the Hair Algae Killer Kit, which includes a pincushion sea urchin, trochus snails and lots of pods and phyto!
16 oz OceanMagik, 16 oz 5280 Pods, Five Trochus Snails
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Description
Protect Your Valuable Corals
Maybe we all lose our breath for a second after seeing that first patch of Hair Algae. Aside from being really ugly, it can overgrow and smother corals and other small, sessile invertebrates. And, it can be pretty hard to completely get rid of. Could the answer to this problem be as simple as adding the hair algae killer kit, that naturally keep reefs free of this green pestilence?
In most reef environments, the principal benthic algal grazers are diverse invertebrates of varying sizes. The bulldozers of the reef herbivores are the sea urchins. Many experiments have demonstrated the importance of sea urchins in keeping corals from becoming overgrown. Of course, when it comes to algae-eaters, gastropod mollusks certainly also come to mind. Different types of snail appear to prefer different types of algae; however, some snails, such as Trochus Snails, really seem to love hair algae. And then there are the copepods–probably the most important algivores on Earth!
For hair algae in captive marine systems, biological control is the best control. The best kind of biological control is the kind that burns your hair algae from both ends! For this, you need a select group of special herbivores and algal competitors. There you will find in the Hair Algae Killer Kit.
This unique package includes an array of captive-bred, hair algae-munching species including:
- The pincushion sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus).
- The Trochus snail
- Three copepod species (Tigriopus californica, Tisbe biminiensis and Apocyclops panamensis).
- Four phytoplankton species (Nannochloropsis gaditana, Tetraselmis sp., Isochrysis galbana and Thalassiosira weissflogii).
Despite being so effective at eradicating hair algae turfs, the species included in the Hair Algae Killer Kit have additional benefits each of their own. The pincushion is a beautiful and fascinating display creature. In addition to mowing down your hated patches, the Trochus snails will be happy to also mop up some of your detritus. The pods and phyto attack hair algae from lower in the food chain. The copepods, as they eat algae, detritus and cyano, grow up to ultimately become a nutritious food source for mandarins, corals, etc. The phyto competes with the hair algae by taking up dissolved nutrients until these nutritious planktonic algae are ultimately consumed by your hungry pods, corals, and clams.
See below for more information.
Benefits of Aquacultured Hair Algae Eaters
Aquacultured invertebrates offer a huge advantage over wild-caught specimens. For example, when bred and raised under captive conditions, they adjust more easily to aquarium life. They are also much less likely to carry disease. Even more, aquacultured specimens can better tolerate shipping stress. By purchasing the hair algae killer kit, you support the preservation of marine ecosystems and help to make our hobby more sustainable!
ranging particle sizes (<1 micron to >1 mm).
