Hydrospace Microbial Coral Food and Starter Bacteria - A Buyer's Guide
Hydrospace brings a microbiology-focused approach to reef aquarium nutrition, cycling, and overall aquarium health. Their products use purple non-sulfur bacteria and naturally fermented ingredients to support corals, filter-feeding invertebrates, and the aquarium microbiome.
Whether you are feeding corals, supporting a diverse microbial community, or starting a new saltwater aquarium, Hydrospace products are designed to work with the natural biology of a reef tank.
PNS ProBioâ„¢
A multi-purpose live microbial supplement, coral food, and fish probiotic that contains the purple non-sulfur bacterium (PNSB) species Rhodopseudomonas palustris.
Formulated as a multi-purpose live aquarium microbial supplement, coral food, and fish probiotic, PNS ProBioâ„¢ contains the purple non-sulfur bacterium (PNSB) species Rhodopseudomonas palustris which will provide nutritional and probiotic benefits to filter-feeding animals, improve water quality, and reduce the incidence of disease in an aquarium. These naturally occurring symbiotic bacteria are especially beneficial to SPS corals and the hosted zooxanthellae algae.
Like most other heterotrophic bacteria, R. palustris may be used to sequester excess nitrate and phosphate. Additionally, due to certain specialized enzymes, the bacteria will mop up substantial amounts of poorly degradable substances such as detritus (flocculated cellulose) and water-yellowing compounds (polyphenols). The bacteria themselves are then easily consumed by corals, providing a much more natural and easily acquired source of nutrition.
PNS ProBioâ„¢ is the food that cleans up after itself!
Nutritional Analysis
R. palustris is rich in carotenoids, vitamins, and polysaccharides which contribute to its function as a feed supplement. Proximate analysis indicates a crude protein content of up to 74%. Essential amino acid content comprises ~53% of its true protein content. Crude lipid has been determined to be around 0.64% and crude fiber around 2.09%.
Dosage
Use up to 1.25 ml per gallon per day. Shake well before feeding. Feed just after lights out for best results. Turn off protein skimmers and UV sterilizers for 30 minutes during and after feeding.
PNS Substrate Sauceâ„¢
A live bacterial inoculant designed to help establish a robust microbiome and support a quicker, more stable cycle in new marine aquariums.
Designed to establish a robust microbiome in new aquariums, PNS Substrate Sauceâ„¢ contains live Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Rhodospirillum rubrum. These bacteria complement nitrifying bacteria and help create a faster, more stable cycle.
They are naturally abundant in reef environments and cultured specifically for marine aquaria, reducing lag time compared to freshwater-derived bacteria.
This product also includes phosphate to support microbial growth during cycling.
Dosage
Use 1.25 ml per gallon for initial dosing. Repeat only if needed during cycling when phosphate drops below 0.05 ppm.
PNS YelloSnoâ„¢
A marine snow-style coral food fermented with Rhodopseudomonas palustris and natural sources of chitin, delivering a wide range of particle sizes for filter-feeding corals and invertebrates.
PNS YelloSnoâ„¢ is formulated to simulate marine snowfall. Fermented with Rhodopseudomonas palustris and natural sources of chitin, this premium coral food is rich in B vitamins and trace elements while offering a broad spectrum of particle sizes.
The larger particles are especially beneficial for LPS corals, gorgonians, and other filter-feeding invertebrates that require more substantial food sources than ultra-fine feeds.
It is flash pasteurized and preserved at the optimal stage to maintain its nutritional value and structure. Despite being derived from live bacteria, this is Hydrospace’s only non-live product.
PNS YelloSnoâ„¢ is a valuable part of any reef feeding regimen.
Nutritional Analysis
In addition to the benefits of R. palustris, PNS YelloSnoâ„¢ contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including cobalamin, which plays a critical role in supporting coral health and zooxanthellae function.
Dosage
Add up to 1.0 ml per gallon per day. Shake well before feeding. A heavier shake produces finer particles, while a lighter shake retains larger particles for bigger-polyp corals.
Feed just after lights out when corals are most active. For best results, turn off protein skimmers and remove mechanical filtration for about 30 minutes to keep the food suspended and available to corals.
PNS HomeGroâ„¢
A DIY purple non-sulfur bacteria culture kit that lets reef keepers grow their own live PNSB culture at home for coral nutrition, nutrient control, and organic waste management.
PNS HomeGroâ„¢ is designed for hobbyists who want to culture their own purple non-sulfur bacteria at home. The kit gives you a simple way to grow a full 2.5 gallon culture of live PNS bacteria, creating a renewable supply that can be used to support coral nutrition, microbial diversity, and overall aquarium health.
Like other Hydrospace PNS products, the culture is built around purple non-sulfur bacteria that can provide natural nutrition while helping control nutrients and organic waste in the aquarium.
Culture your own live purple non-sulfur bacteria at home.
Best For
Reef keepers who already use PNS ProBio regularly, have multiple aquariums, or want a larger DIY culture option for ongoing feeding and microbial support.
Kit Yield
The full 2.5 gallon culture can treat up to 8,000 gallons, making it a strong option for high-use systems, larger aquariums, or hobbyists who want to maintain a regular PNS dosing routine.
What Are Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria?
The reef aquarium industry has become increasingly interested in microbiology, especially how microscopic communities affect the health of our aquariums. This growing interest lines up with major discoveries in marine ecology, particularly around the influence of microorganisms on coral health.
Coral biologists often describe the coral structure as a holobiont, which includes the coral polyp host along with a community of symbionts such as dinoflagellate algae and bacteria species. Among these microbes are purple phototrophic bacteria, which are the foundation of Hydrospace products.
Widely regarded as some of the most metabolically versatile organisms on Earth, purple non-sulfur bacteria have been used in commercial agriculture and aquaculture since the 1970s, including as fish probiotics. PNS bacteria are unusual because they are heterotrophs that can also perform photosynthesis through photoheterotrophy.
They prefer organic carbon sources such as acetic acid, alcohol, and sugar, meaning they can proliferate through traditional carbon dosing methods. PNS bacteria also prefer to consume organic waste and detritus rather than relying only on ammonia and nitrite as nitrogen sources. The bacteria themselves then become a natural, nutrient-rich food source for corals.
Recognizing the potential of PNSB as a general aquarium probiotic, Hydrospace initially researched and developed these microbes for in-house use at a major U.S. aquaculture facility. After early success, Hydrospace LLC was formed, and the flagship PNS ProBioâ„¢ was released, followed by PNS YelloSnoâ„¢ and PNS Substrate Sauceâ„¢.
Feeding Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I dose Hydrospace?
PNS ProBio contains live beneficial bacteria and has minimal risk of overdose. Treat it like a live coral food, such as phytoplankton, and feed regularly at least once per week. Daily feeding is ideal for many reef aquariums, but dosage should be adjusted based on stocking level, nutrient levels, and how the aquarium responds.
Start with one feeding per week and adjust based on your aquarium’s stocking level and filtration capacity. PNS YelloSno can be increased up to once daily as a maximum dose. Feed after the lights turn off and temporarily pause protein skimming or mechanical filtration to keep the food suspended longer.
PNS Substrate Sauce is intended to be dosed once when starting a new saltwater aquarium. Additional doses can be used during the cycling phase if phosphate drops below 0.05 ppm, since the product is designed to support microbial growth while the aquarium is establishing its biological foundation.
Can I use a dosing pump with Hydrospace products?
Yes, Hydrospace coral foods can be delivered using a traditional dosing pump. As with any refrigerated or particle-based food, make sure the setup is appropriate for the product being used and that the line is kept clean so the food does not settle, clog, or spoil.
Do Hydrospace products need to be refrigerated?
PNS YelloSno must be stored in a refrigerator. The live products, PNS ProBio and PNS Substrate Sauce, do not require refrigeration and may be stored at room temperature.
Can I use PNS ProBio and PNS YelloSno together?
Yes, PNS ProBio and PNS YelloSno can be used together. PNS ProBio provides live purple non-sulfur bacteria with a smaller particle size, while PNS YelloSno provides a broader range of food particles that are especially useful for LPS corals, gorgonians, and other filter feeders.
With over 25 years of experience keeping aquariums of all kinds, Robert has a detailed understanding of advanced aquarium techniques and theory. Working as a professional content creator in the saltwater aquarium industry for over 18 years, his perspective, thoughtfulness for the hobbyist, and a general understanding of the hobby, and industry that surrounds it, allows Robert to write and create digestible content that makes reefing fun and easy.
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