Reef Nutrition Phyto-Feast Live- 6oz

Optimized for 100% Nutrition

After decades of research, hatcheries and universities around the world have come to agreement on the best algae for filter feeders. At the top of the list are Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pavlova and Nannochloropsis. While each provides certain benefits, none on their own can provide for a complete diet. Brown algae, in particular, are especially critical to your filter feeders because in addition to sterols and pigments they are the only algae that produce the fatty acid DHA (required for complete omega-3 nutrition). Phyto-Feast is the only live algae concentrate that contains 100% of the nutrition needed by your animals – proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

Maximized for Long Term Storage

The best process for preserving the nutritional benefits of live algae for long term storage is to place the live microalgal cells in a state of suspended animation (also called quiescence or hibernation). This process reduces the metabolic activity of the live cells to minimal levels, allowing long term storage without the depletion of oxygen or the loss of nutritional value.

All the microalgae that goes into Phyto-Feast are grown at Reed Mariculture and are harvested live and packed and shipped “farm fresh” every week. Once harvested, the algae are induced to become “quiescent”. At the time of packaging, 95% or more of the algae are alive. In this quiescent state, metabolic activity and respiration are reduced to minimal levels, preserving the nutritional value of the algae and the integrity of the cell membranes. Since not all of the algae species are equally hardy, after a few weeks some of the more delicate cells will begin to expire. However, due to our quiescence process, the cells lose none of their functional qualities or nutritional value. Many of the cells will remain viable for several months. When properly stored, a bottle of Phyto-Feast will provide the same value after two-plus months that it did on the first day.

Phyto-Feast or Phyto-Feast Live?

Phyto-Feast Live has the same algae as Phyto-Feast but is handled with special care. Phyto-Feast Live is harvested and shipped fresh each week and has better short-term cell viability. Phyto-Feast has better long-term nutritional stability. Both are equally good for your aquarium.