The TLDR:
– AquaBiomics has released new aquacultured reef rubble
– It has a balanced microbial community you would expect from a mature, healthy reef
– It contains members of the Pelgibacter family, which are very beneficial microbes
– It has been tested genetically and is guaranteed to carry 0 pathogens
– Available now for 59.99 (link below)
Ever since the microbiome entered the industry’s zeitgeist, there has been constant talk about the holy grail of products – something that would offer the diversity of live rock with the control and sterility of dry rock. AquaBiomics has delivered on this niche with aquacultured reef rubble. This rubble has been held for over a year, ensuring a stable microbial community. It has been cultured in a system that has never had fish and has been genetically tested and physically screened to ensure there are no larger pests or microbial pathogens.
This rubble contains 979 different microbes and four families of nitrifying microbes. There is no vibrio. There are two members of the Pelgibacter family. It also features many beneficial families, such as Halomonadaceae, Oceanospirillaceae, and Rhodospirillaceae.
As of now, this is the only product on the market verified with data that can introduce a broad community of many necessary microbes endemic to reef communities. This is truly innovative and will hopefully open the doors to many more products, allowing for finer-turned microbial management.
This would be an easy way to seed a new system and would allow users to embrace the creativity that dry rock enables while gaining the diversity that live rock affords.
If one has an established system and wishes to improve their microbial community, they could add this rubble to an external container with dry, sterile substrate or rubble and then add micronutrients, flow, etc. This could lead to one culturing their own rubble with a similar profile to the starter Aquabiomics rubble, which gives hobbyists a larger quantity of substrate to add to an existing system. This could give these beneficial microbes a higher chance of successful colonization.
Another factor to keep in mind if one is trying to improve their microbiome with this product is that the correct environment is needed to grow many of these families. On average, a copiotrophic or high-carbon environment favors the growth of potential pathogens, while an oligotrophic or low-carbon environment favors the growth of some known beneficial microbes.
Purchase AquaBiomics rubble here:
