How many of you feed phyto to your clams? If so, drip? How?

[MarineGirl411]

Hi everyone,
I've run accross some different information on the RC website than what I've been hearing locally. I am wondering how many of you dose Phyto to your clams? I purchased my first Crocea today. It's very beautiful. I trust my reef store guy because he's been doing this for years! He's also a mod on RC. He said with my strong lighting that I wouldn't need to dose phyto. Just wondering how many of you do or don't? Also, any links to how to culture your own phyto? =) Thank you.:wave:

 

[a4twenty]

i dose phyto 3 times a week. you LFS is correct dosing phyto isn't necessary as long as you have some fish that you feed regularly.

heres a link to melev's site about culturing phyto.

sorry, only answered half of you question:

i turn off my skimmer and dose the tank ( start small ). about 3 hours later i turn my skimmer back on.

HTH

 

[MarineGirl411]

I do. I only have 3 fish currently though. 2 Perculas and a Goby. I also have a tiger pistol shrimp and a skunk cleaner shrimp. I feed mysis, squid, enriched brine shrimp, krill. I know a clam would not be able to digest this. I also feed Formula One Flake food. Time to time I feed Nori as well. I do feed my fish everyday, but how would this help as their food is too large for the clam to digest? I do grade some of it before feeding, but I believe it is still too large. I went to that webpage. I might try it. DT's at the LFS is 7.99 for a small bottle. =/ Not much, but if I need to feed about 3 times a week it wouldn't last long.
Do you turn off your return pump? I've only got 1 clam at the moment. =) They are addictive though. I already want another one. LOL. What can I say, this hobby is just plain addictive. Sheesh. I've been having a really bad week, so I had to do something for myself. My treat was a clam.

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613008#post9613008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
........ I know a clam would not be able to digest this. I do feed my fish everyday, but how would this help as their food is too large for the clam to digest? I do grade some of it before feeding, but I believe it is still too large.

yes all that food is to big to be utilized by a clam but after your fish 'process' it and return it to the water it is just right. all your clam needs is good strong light and some nutrients ( N&P ), adding some phyto won't hurt but is not necessary.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613008#post9613008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
...... but if I need to feed about 3 times a week it wouldn't last long.

you don't 'need' to dose 3 times a week. also don't follow the dosing instructions on the bottle, start small and build up.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613008#post9613008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
Do you turn off your return pump?

yes but i leave my powerheads running to circulate the tank. i usually leave the return pump off for about 1/2 an hour. the phyto can also be used by your pod population in your fuge.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613008#post9613008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
I've only got 1 clam at the moment. =) They are addictive though. I already want another one. LOL.

i know, i have 5 and i'm always on the lookout for my next one :crazy1:

 

[mbbuna]

i dont dose phyto. i have 40+ fish and feed them heavy twice a day. as twenty said the clams (there zoox) will use the ammonia produced by the fish and the uneaten food and fish poo cause bacteria to grow and some of the bacteria will be eaten by the clam also

 

[northbay-reefer]

dont waste your time and money, just feed your fish is the best way, and making sure you have good water quality. No need to bowl feed anything, I have tiny maxima clams that is doing great without spot or bowl feeding

 

[MarineGirl411]

Dr. Ron

Dr. Ron

Hi,
I recently went over the information on the RC website about clams. I read the links last night. Dr. Ron said that they use a lot of their energy to produce zooxanthellae and then their mantle can fade. I bought some dt's. I don't have enough fish right now for the clam to get his nutrients from the Poo. =( Only have 2 clowns and 1 goby that doesn't even count. He doesn't count because he stays in his hole all the time with his little tiger pistol shrimp. I was thinking of starting a phyto culture myself. Can it be done using the DT's anyone know?

 

[mbbuna]

Re: Dr. Ron

Re: Dr. Ron

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9616915#post9616915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
I read the links last night. Dr. Ron said

i wouldn't give too much credit to that article

 

[MarineGirl411]

Really? Well, with my small fish load you think my clam will still stay healthy with me not dosing phyto? He's under a 150watt MH and 2 65 watt PC's. Let me know. TY

 

[Sk8r]

I dose phyto for my clam, and it's done wonders for my sponges and other small filter-feeders like dusters. I just squirt a tablespoon of DT's or Phytofeast into the tank right around daybreak in the tank.

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9619180#post9619180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
Really? Well, with my small fish load you think my clam will still stay healthy with me not dosing phyto?

sure, there is no exact formula but it should be ok.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9619180#post9619180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineGirl411
He's under a 150watt MH and 2 65 watt PC's. Let me know. TY

should be fine ( tank is 16" deep? )

can you post a pic?

 

[cristhiam]

I did about 2 years ago lol, waste of $$ IMO.