Hydrospace PNS products utilize purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) and functional marine probiotics to improve water quality, support coral health, and strengthen the biological foundation of aquatic systems. We have been using Hydrospace PNS products in our systems for a number of years. The original PNS ProBio as well as Deep Cycle and Yellow Sno provide microbiome support and an excellent food source to our reef and even our fresh water aquariums.
The newest product release is PNS CryoPak, a concentrated, frozen form of Hydrospace’s live purple non-sulfur bacteria designed primarily as a bio-nutritional reef food. Unlike Hydrospace’s liquid PNS formulations where bacteria are suspended in their liquid growth medium, the CryoPak undergoes a specialized harvesting process:
- Cryoprotection & Freezing: The highly concentrated bacterial paste is suspended in a specialized cryoprotectant solution and quickly frozen. This prevents ice crystals from forming and rupturing the bacterial cell walls, keeping the cells intact and viable upon thawing.
- Centrifugation & Concentration: The bacterial culture is spun down in a centrifuge to separate the dense bacterial biomass from the liquid culture medium.
- Medium Removal: Excess water and residual culture fluid are decanted off, removing leftover nutrients, organic compounds, and salts from the growth medium.
We have come to appreciate the ease of use of the 1 gallon liquid PNS ProBio and PNS Deep Cycle products given the number of systems that we dose. PNS CryoPak is intended for those where scale demands higher concentrations using smaller packaging with extended shelf life. Coral farms, hatcheries and coral retailers looking to increase grow out and water quality can all benefit. A single package treats 1600 gallons.
That doesn’t preclude individual hobbyists from using PNS CryoPak as a 1″ section of “cryo pop” treats 40 gallons. If your LFS doesn’t stock the frozen PNS CryoPak, due to the cost of shipping, you may find using the liquid versions more affordable.
If you have yet to try Hydrospace PNS products in your own system, there are certainly a number of benefits. Hydrospace products are also used in commercial coral feeds and supplements.
Key Benefits of Hydrospace PNS Products
- Bioremediation & Waste Reduction: PNS bacteria process dissolved organic matter, detritus, nitrates, and phosphates, naturally suppressing pest algae and cyanobacteria through nutrient competition.
- Nutritional Coral & Live Feed: Live bacterial cells serve as a nutrient-dense food source rich in proteins, fatty acids, and essential vitamins (like B12) for SPS, LPS, and filter feeders.
- Microbiome Restorative: Products like PNS Deep Cycle reintroduce indigenous reef microbes that form mutualistic relationships with stony coral skeletons and deep substrate layers.
- Fish Probiotic: Can be gut-loaded into live feeds (copepods, brine shrimp) or soaked into dried foods to aid cellulose breakdown and promote healthy digestive function in marine fish.
