Marc Weiss Reef Bugs

[tebstan]

Has anyone tried this?

It sounds interesting. I love microfauna, and I love to feed, so it's a cool combination.

I don't keep SPS, so I don't know if it's worth the $$.


http://www.marcweissaquariumproducts.com/reef_bugs.htm

[ErikH]

Here's where I derive a bunk statement...
"it appears that not only SPS are consuming it."

What is their proof? Who are these "beta testers" ? ?

If it's just in some crazy loud packaging, which it is, I don't know how trustworthy it is....

Also what bothers me are these statements....
"living or recently dead matter."
so are you getting live matter in a small bottle with a bunch of dead stuff mixed in? Wouldnt the water have spiked with the decaying material and killed off anything that was living?
"These organisms have been cultured to eat organic matter."
Cultured by whom? Links?

Sorry, I am totally skeptical. Bill Streep posted something about "Marine Snow" before, and TexReefer always said not to trust anyone trying to sell you something. Those are two things I have always taken to heart. Without factual data, there is no proof. Without proof, it's all propaganda. :)

I do hope you understand I am telling you this as a friend, and not a foe. :) I never like to rain on parades or burst bubbles. It's just alot of hype spread around this particular industry and it drives me insane!

[tebstan]

I have never found a site willing to state any "facts" about the food they sell. I see where you're coming from, and I'm always skeptical. But no one will list the science behind their foods, it's all "proprietary." Yet many people buy it and use it and swear by it.

I hate the loud packaging. But I hate the sterile packaging of seachem's new line as well. It's like they're trying too hard. I appreciate good marketing, but it doesn't decide my purchases for me. This is the part that has me curious:

"Reef Bugs™ contains twelve strains of edible, non - pathogenic marine microbes. They are not genetically modified. Instead they are selectively bred naturally occurring organisms. They are in an encysted spore state. They are packed dry in a matrix of minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates that will enable hatching in about thirty minutes of being placed in typical reef aquarium water."

Minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates could be anything. But I want it to hatch, possibly live for a bit before getting eaten or contributing to organic waste, like so many other processed foods.

[tebstan]

I'm mixing up another batch of this to add to the tank, so thought I'd post an update.

Conclusion: inconclusive. :D

It doesn't seem to hurt, at least. The fish go nuts over it, and I can see corals actively eating it. So that's a plus. The water turns milky, everyone gets all excited, and then it clears with everyone looking a little fat and sleepy.

I saw no evidence of 'hatching.' I didn't actually think it would... but the child inside me hoped it would, like little zombie zooplankton coming to life to populate my tank with fun weird critters. Ah well.

It's just another powder zooplankton, and the cost per ounce isn't much different from the others out there. I would buy it again. Although, I don't feed it as often because it's not as convenient. When I do get around to it, it's fun.

[jrnannery]

Wow, not to sound like a noob, but, does anyone in town have this stuff? I wouldn't mind being the guinea pig here locally, especially if all of you will chip in a couple bucks for the effort at researching new products.

Seriously though, anyone got it?

[tebstan]

I got it online, but if any sponsors have it or can get it, I'd love to know!

The crazy packaging almost made me not get it, but I was a few bucks away from free shipping and I'm kind of a sucker with that. Reef Chili has ridiculous packaging too, and people seem to like that one, so I figured it was worth a shot.

My red gorg goes nuts eating this stuff. Everything opens up to feed. The weso is reaching, the sun opens completely, the torch spreads out, and the bubble coral looks like a football. The poor fish freak out looking for particles big enough to eat, so I usually feed some mysis too just to calm them down.