Reef Bugs Product Questions

Yuckmouth · 12/21/2009, 11:54 PM

Questions about this product. Seen here
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18508

Currently I have a FOWLR tank and have added two doses of this over the past month. I have a good amount of visable bugs now in my fuge and display. They are just about everywhere. I'm not worried, just wanted some input. When I say "everywhere" I don't mean that I'm loaded with them, just that I can see them on the glass, rocks and substrate.

I only have a cleaner shimp, a blue tang and a one spot foxface. The fish eat them whenever they see'em. The cleaner shrimp does his best trying to catch them.

Am I hurting anything?

Sam2000001 · 12/22/2009, 12:02 AM

I don't think you would be hurting anything. They might bloom in numbers at first and then mellow out later naturally.

Yuckmouth · 12/22/2009, 12:08 AM

Since I started using it, I'm getting a lot of little filter feeder tube guys growing. (Sorry, newb)...

I only do half doses as well.
I turn off my skimmer till the cloud goes away too.

I'm trying to eventually build up to a reef system once I get enough exp and do some more research. I'm glad I'm not screwing this up.

carpas · 12/22/2009, 12:29 AM

That's cool to hear it works. I saw it in a fish store but was skeptical. I imagine you could over do it and foul the water, but at half the dose, you may be safe. Just keep an eye on nutrients or any algae outbreaks.

Yuckmouth · 12/22/2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpas

That's cool to hear it works. I saw it in a fish store but was skeptical. I imagine you could over do it and foul the water, but at half the dose, you may be safe. Just keep an eye on nutrients or any algae outbreaks.

Yeah I was too. Being a newb I couldn't understand that they could hatch and be live. It's great. When I mix it, takes 30+ mins by the instructions I don't see anything alive. It's just a tan "flesh colored" cup of madness.

I pour it into the tank and it clouds it up. Didn't time stamp the amount of time it takes to clear up though. I do it at night with the skimmer off and by morning its clear again.

A day or two later I have a ton of bugs in the tank. Within a week or two of my fish eating them I can still see a bunch everywhere I look. They get pretty big too. There are a lot of different visable types ranging from spec's to 2-3mm's. Big enough to watch them eat and fight. I think some of the types eat the other types.

When the numbers get low and I have to scan for them, I add another dose. It's such a small amount too. This stuff goes a long way. Says it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 years. Comes in a zip lock bag and is dry.

carpas · 12/22/2009, 01:56 AM

I'm going to have to check this out...

John Zillmer · 12/22/2009, 07:26 AM

I thought that product was some sort of scam...Neo Sea Monkeys or something. I might try it. Yuckmouth, how many 'doses' do you think you'll get out of one package?

Yuckmouth · 12/22/2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Zillmer

I thought that product was some sort of scam...Neo Sea Monkeys or something. I might try it. Yuckmouth, how many 'doses' do you think you'll get out of one package?

I'm gonna go conservative and say 50-100 times. I only half dose 1-2 times a week. I can't imagine how many bugs would be in my tank with a full dose (DAILY). Its well worth the money.

Yuckmouth · 12/22/2009, 10:19 AM

Use Instructions
Amount added to system depends on bioload (quantity and quality), how long the system has been operating, state of water cycling, and other factors. In a heavily stocked, well aged marine reef aquarium, a whole teaspoon (about 1.5 grams) could be consumed per 100 gallons per day.
However, the manufacturer recommends starting at one-half (1/2) teaspoon per day per 100 gallons of water. If excess is noted in skimmer, decrease the fed portion by the wasted amount. However, a powerful skimmer may remove some food before it is eaten even if the proper ration is fed. If no excess food is found in the skimmer, slowly increase the ration if desired.

To use, dissolve the quantity of dry Reef Bugs™ in a cup of aquarium water. Stir. Let solution set for approximately ten minutes. Stir again. Again let set for approximately another twenty minutes or more until the majority is dissolved. Stir again. Then add to your aquarium. Any dry material that has not dissolved at this time will soon dissolve in the aquarium.

Or, sprinkle dry material into the tank. It will take approximately 30 minutes to fully dissolve. In the meantime, fish and other non-invertebrates may eat the non-dissolved particles. Reef Bugs™ are harmless to fish. For the best feeding method for your system, try both methods.

Storage Instructions
The product is packaged in a plastic resealable barrier bag. These bags are meant to prevent unwanted mixing of the material with oxygen or moisture. Ensure the bag is fully re-closed after use by first squeezing out any air and resealing. Store in a cool, dry place. Product may be stored in the refrigerator if preferred. Do not freeze. Safe storage condition will keep Reef Bugs™ viable for at least one year. **Up to 3 years in refrigerator**

***I only add 1/2 teaspoon every 1 to 2 weeks.***

stormrider27 · 12/22/2009, 10:28 AM

Interesting, I wonder what type of "bugs" they are?

carpas · 12/22/2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormrider27

Interesting, I wonder what type of "bugs" they are?

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

thebanker · 12/22/2009, 03:47 PM

The guy at my LFS told me about these too. Haven't heard of anyone using the product here, so I held off.

stormrider27 · 12/22/2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpas

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

Interesting read. Thanks for the link

John Zillmer · 12/22/2009, 05:47 PM

Sounds like the product is more like food for reef bugs that the tank already has in it -- the product description says "the individual living organisms are microscopic" and contains "microbes, primarily bacterial, and fungal". Toilet water and toe jam. I'm still gonna try it -- sounds like you've had great results, Yuckmouth!

John Zillmer · 12/22/2009, 06:16 PM

So I found these pics on another forum, which I can't link to due to RC rules, so I've reposted them here. Credit to Germanman, who shot them and posted them. They are claimed to be pics of recently rehydrated "Reef Bugs". Does anybody recognize anything in these pics? Looks like roundworm eggs to me (I've done worm diagnosis in reptiles before, though I'm not very good at it).

Yuckmouth · 12/22/2009, 07:13 PM

Not sure...all i know is that I've got bugs. Maybe I should be seen by a doc.

I wonder if I had bugs before and since using the product I'm only getting them to flourish.

12/21/2009, 11:54 PM	#1
Yuckmouth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 32	Reef Bugs Product Questions Questions about this product. Seen here http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18508 Currently I have a FOWLR tank and have added two doses of this over the past month. I have a good amount of visable bugs now in my fuge and display. They are just about everywhere. I'm not worried, just wanted some input. When I say "everywhere" I don't mean that I'm loaded with them, just that I can see them on the glass, rocks and substrate. I only have a cleaner shimp, a blue tang and a one spot foxface. The fish eat them whenever they see'em. The cleaner shrimp does his best trying to catch them. Am I hurting anything?

12/22/2009, 07:26 AM	#7
John Zillmer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 375	I thought that product was some sort of scam...Neo Sea Monkeys or something. I might try it. Yuckmouth, how many 'doses' do you think you'll get out of one package? __________________ Maybe there isn't any such thing as normativity -- but there should be. Current Tank Info: 90 g mixed reef, 40 g 'fuge, T5HO, Simplicity 240DC

12/22/2009, 05:47 PM	#14
John Zillmer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 375	Sounds like the product is more like food for reef bugs that the tank already has in it -- the product description says "the individual living organisms are microscopic" and contains "microbes, primarily bacterial, and fungal". Toilet water and toe jam. I'm still gonna try it -- sounds like you've had great results, Yuckmouth! __________________ Maybe there isn't any such thing as normativity -- but there should be. Current Tank Info: 90 g mixed reef, 40 g 'fuge, T5HO, Simplicity 240DC

12/22/2009, 07:13 PM	#16
Yuckmouth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 32	Not sure...all i know is that I've got bugs. Maybe I should be seen by a doc. I wonder if I had bugs before and since using the product I'm only getting them to flourish. Last edited by Yuckmouth; 12/22/2009 at 07:20 PM.

12/22/2009, 12:02 AM	#2
Sam2000001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando Posts: 103	I don't think you would be hurting anything. They might bloom in numbers at first and then mellow out later naturally.

12/22/2009, 12:08 AM	#3
Yuckmouth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 32	Since I started using it, I'm getting a lot of little filter feeder tube guys growing. (Sorry, newb)... I only do half doses as well. I turn off my skimmer till the cloud goes away too. I'm trying to eventually build up to a reef system once I get enough exp and do some more research. I'm glad I'm not screwing this up.

12/22/2009, 12:29 AM	#4
carpas Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	That's cool to hear it works. I saw it in a fish store but was skeptical. I imagine you could over do it and foul the water, but at half the dose, you may be safe. Just keep an eye on nutrients or any algae outbreaks.

12/22/2009, 01:56 AM	#6
carpas Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	I'm going to have to check this out...

12/22/2009, 10:19 AM	#9
Yuckmouth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 32	Use Instructions Amount added to system depends on bioload (quantity and quality), how long the system has been operating, state of water cycling, and other factors. In a heavily stocked, well aged marine reef aquarium, a whole teaspoon (about 1.5 grams) could be consumed per 100 gallons per day. However, the manufacturer recommends starting at one-half (1/2) teaspoon per day per 100 gallons of water. If excess is noted in skimmer, decrease the fed portion by the wasted amount. However, a powerful skimmer may remove some food before it is eaten even if the proper ration is fed. If no excess food is found in the skimmer, slowly increase the ration if desired. To use, dissolve the quantity of dry Reef Bugs™ in a cup of aquarium water. Stir. Let solution set for approximately ten minutes. Stir again. Again let set for approximately another twenty minutes or more until the majority is dissolved. Stir again. Then add to your aquarium. Any dry material that has not dissolved at this time will soon dissolve in the aquarium. Or, sprinkle dry material into the tank. It will take approximately 30 minutes to fully dissolve. In the meantime, fish and other non-invertebrates may eat the non-dissolved particles. Reef Bugs™ are harmless to fish. For the best feeding method for your system, try both methods. Storage Instructions The product is packaged in a plastic resealable barrier bag. These bags are meant to prevent unwanted mixing of the material with oxygen or moisture. Ensure the bag is fully re-closed after use by first squeezing out any air and resealing. Store in a cool, dry place. Product may be stored in the refrigerator if preferred. Do not freeze. Safe storage condition will keep Reef Bugs™ viable for at least one year. Up to 3 years in refrigerator *I only add 1/2 teaspoon every 1 to 2 weeks.*

12/22/2009, 10:28 AM	#10
stormrider27 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 530	Interesting, I wonder what type of "bugs" they are?

12/22/2009, 03:47 PM	#12
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	The guy at my LFS told me about these too. Haven't heard of anyone using the product here, so I held off.