Live Phytoplankton

D

dmorazan

New member
I might not be in the correct forum but here it goes. What exacly Phytopantkton feeds? sps's , filter feeding things , fish , and what else?
the reason why I ask is becouse i got some from a friend for $10.00 a 2L bottle and almost when It was finish I decide to grow it mysel this way I dont have to buy any. so now I have two bottles instead. and like to know what is this thing for. I have small sps's, softies, LPS's and fish. :bounce3:
 
i wanna grow my own also dont know where to get the cultures it is good for filter feeding it seems like everyone like it even lps sps turn filter and skimmer off when you put in tank so they can eat it lol
 
If you ever plan on breeding clown fish and raising the fry, phyto will also come in handy for that. You need the phyto to raise rotifers which are in turn used to feed the clownfish larvae for the first week or two.
 
phyto

phyto

I have some that I'm groing right now and is getting dark, very dark. I know that some filter and lps. I just want to make sure that I'm not over feeding.you can get some DT phyto and start your own. is very easy.
here is a link http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html
I use bleach to clean the containers and just make sure that yuo rinse them good. get some miracle grow from home depot and i use some Kent essential elements. very easy. now i have so much. also go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y0lmYvCQNI. good luck.
 
Based on your tank inhabitants you probably don't need supplemental phytoplankton.
They are mostly carnivorous and will consume larger particulates than phyto such as particles from fish feeding.
IMO unless you have a DSB or clams you don't need supplemental phyto. I cultured for years for clams.
 
Please do not use Miracle Grow. Please use a fertitlizer meant for growing it. In the long term, it is much better for your tank. Also get a copy plankton cuture manual.
 
"What exacly Phytopantkton feeds?"

To answer the original question, phytoplankton feeds the bottom of the food chain. If you have a well diversified ecosystem the phyto feeds the food of the foods and it's a great addition to your system, However if you don't have the diversity to use the phyto it's like adding detritus to your tank that can't be utilized. When I had a 180 vast quantities of captive propagated phyto were dosed in the tank because there were the life forms that could utilize the phyto. With my current nanos I'm not going to add that many organic compounds to my small systems. I doubt my tanks have the diversity of life forms to utilize the phyto.
 
Agu said:
"What exacly Phytopantkton feeds?"

To answer the original question, phytoplankton feeds the bottom of the food chain. If you have a well diversified ecosystem the phyto feeds the food of the foods and it's a great addition to your system, However if you don't have the diversity to use the phyto it's like adding detritus to your tank that can't be utilized. When I had a 180 vast quantities of captive propagated phyto were dosed in the tank because there were the life forms that could utilize the phyto. With my current nanos I'm not going to add that many organic compounds to my small systems. I doubt my tanks have the diversity of life forms to utilize the phyto.
Click to expand...

yes, thanks that is what I thought. I have some filter feeders in the tank, I think that small creatures in my fuge and tank like copepods, etc. will benefit from it.t thanks.
 
timinnl said:
Please do not use Miracle Grow. Please use a fertitlizer meant for growing it. In the long term, it is much better for your tank. Also get a copy plankton cuture manual.
Click to expand...

This bears repeating. While miracle grow might grow phyto, it grows a phyto of poor nutritional value. The proper Guillards F/2 media (micro algae grow from FAF) has been refined to not only grow phyto, but grow phyto with excellent nutritional profile for use as a food for other organisms as well. It's also actually economical, and when you consider how much we will spend on other aspects of our hobby, quite silly to use miracle grow instead.
 
Phyto

Phyto

I like to thank everyone for all the info. but , I still like to know of people out there of what they think of miracle grow, what is the big difference and if miracle grow is safe? I will go with the micro algae grow from FAF but you find many sites and people that uses miracle grow and like to know what they think?
 
People use miracle grow because it's already in the house, or something you can just get from Home Depot on the way home form work. Not because it's the best thing to use. It's lacking in vitamins and higher in metals.
 
People also use it as they tend to believe what they read is the truth. Question everything :) Gather many opinions from those that actually know, not some reefer off the street corner :lol:

The nutritional value if Miracle Grow grown Nanno is pretty bad, not even worth tossig out numbers its so bad. Also, not many phytoplanktons will grow on Miracle Grow.
 
phyto

phyto

Well the only thing I can tell from my experience with it is that I can make it grow very dark and about the vitamins , I was told to use essential elements to supplement the vitamins
 
Essential Elements is a trace element supplement, not vitamins. You'd be better off with a good multi vitamin supplement if you must use garden fertilizer. BTW, no ever said miracle grow won't grow some phyto's (such as Nano), but that will grow nutritionally inferior phyto ;) Not to mention, using miracle grow and than also buying other supplements to bolster it is actually more expensive. I can grow 3,000 gallons of phyto for $25 of Guillards F/2 ;)
 
Bill knows his pyhto guys. He does it for a living don't question the master lol I'm growing it right now thanks to bill (thanks again bill)
 
thanks for the info I will get the correct stuff.I just wanted to learn and get info and opinions on the matter.
billsreef said:
Essential Elements is a trace element supplement, not vitamins. You'd be better off with a good multi vitamin supplement if you must use garden fertilizer. BTW, no ever said miracle grow won't grow some phyto's (such as Nano), but that will grow nutritionally inferior phyto ;) Not to mention, using miracle grow and than also buying other supplements to bolster it is actually more expensive. I can grow 3,000 gallons of phyto for $25 of Guillards F/2 ;)
Click to expand...
 
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