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PNS HomeGro

  • $150.00
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PNS HomeGro

  • $150.00

Bacterioplankton are a major component in the diets of many filter-feeding reef animals, including corals. Yet, one challenge to feeding this natural, low-pollution food (especially in very large reef tanks) is the cost associated with purchasing many bottles of pre-made live cultures. PNS HomeGro™ solves this issue, making it possible for the serious reef aquarist to easily produce large quantities of fresh PNS bacteria using common kitchen items and a desk lamp. Includes collapsible culture vessel with a spigot!

Big Savings on Mass Quantities of Live Bacterioplankton: Provide superior nutrition, while controlling nutrients and organic wastes, with PNS HomeGro™

Marine biologists have for long understood that a substantial part of a coral’s heterotrophic diet is bacterioplankton. Phototrophic diazotrophs such as purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) are shown to be particularly important as coral food, not just for their rich nutritional content but also for their various probiotic qualities. Supplying adequate amounts of this superior food source to large reef aquaria, however, can be challenging and costly. PNS HomeGro™ contains key items required to economically cultivate PNSB at a large scale using commonplace chemicals and implements. This unique kit presents a more eco-friendly alternative to relatively small, pre-grown bottled products as it significantly reduces shipping/packaging waste. Finished culture treats approximately 8,000 gallons!

The live inoculum in each PNS HomeGro™ kit includes three high-value PNSB species: Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

The most significant benefits are as follows:

Purple nonsulfur bacteria are well known for their superb nutritional, probiotic and environmentally regenerative properties. Though they are naturally abundant and ecologically important in nearly all aquatic habitats, PNSB are scarce in most captive systems. Several generations of commercial aquaculturists have effectively resolved this issue through routine replenishment of key PNSB genera, thereby promoting the health of diverse plant and animal species.

Capable of degrading tough organic wastes (e.g., detritus-building cellulose and water-yellowing polyphenols) while aggressively assimilating excess nutrients, the select PNSB strains grown with PNS HomeGro™ serve as a premium live food/probiotic that cleans, instead of fouling, your water assets. Moreover, they are scientifically proven to suppress a number of common fish and invertebrate diseases. As such, the benefits of using this product are many:

  • It has an extensive shelf life.
  • It is easy to measure and dose.
  • It naturally and safely removes unsightly buildups of organic matter.
  • It reduces the need for water changes and prolongs the life of chemical filter media.
  • It removes harmful ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
  • It is a highly nutritious food for many aquarium filter-feeders and detritivores.
  • Its probiotic properties can reduce the incidence of disease in diverse aquarium species.

 

Directions and Usage for PNS HomeGro™:

In addition to sterilizing all implements as described below, wash hands/gloves thoroughly with antibacterial soap and apply a hand sanitizer. Avoid working in drafty and/or dusty areas.

Pour 1 cap household bleach into culture vessel (use vessel cap). Pour 1 cup hot tap water into vessel. Recap vessel and shake. Uncap vessel and completely pour out bleach water, shaking out last drops (do not rinse). Recap vessel immediately without touching inside of cap.

Bring 3 gallons purified water to boil in pot. Sterilize implements (stirring spoon, kitchen thermometer and funnel) with hydrogen peroxide (preferably by spraying) and place on a sterile surface. Add growth medium powder and stir well. Cut heat and cool pot to 90°C/194°F (with pot lid on). Carefully pour into culture vessel through funnel (keep cap on sterile surface); in many instances, for safety, it is best to pour from a pitcher (sterilized as above) rather than directly from the pot. Recap vessel immediately without touching inside of cap.

Cool vessel to room temperature. Remove cap and carefully pour entire contents of inoculum bottle into vessel. Recap with spigot (sterilized as above). Place vessel under continuous, moderate “warm white” light. Maintain incubation temperature of around 29°C/84°F.

Allow approximately 30 days incubation. As reddish sediment accumulates on the vessel floor, shake vessel often to accelerate final growth spurt. Culture may be deemed mature when no further growth has occurred for 5 days or more (typically at around one month). Shake vessel just before each use.

This product is made for aquarium/aquaculture use only! 

Includes exclusively licensed strains. No live cultures made with this product (nor any derivative thereof) may be sold, traded or used for any commercial purpose whatsoever.

 

KIT CONTENTS
  • Culture vessel, cap, and spigot
  • Sticker thermometer
  • Growth medium powder
  • Inoculum bottle (select blend of probiotic PNSB cultures)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Kitchen funnel
  • Kitchen thermometer
  • Unscented household bleach
  • Hydrogen peroxide (3% or higher), spray bottle
  • Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher), spray bottle
  • 60W-65W incandescent lamp or equivalent
  • Heat pad (if needed for temperature control)

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