Phytoplankton

[ncwaterboy]

I recently started feeding my corals DT's Phytoplankton and my nitrates have went from 0 to 10 ppm simultaneously. I check my water parameters bi weekly and I change 15% to 20% of my water every week. I feed per the directions, (actually a little lite) does this sound normal? I have to admit I cringe a little when dumping what looks like liquid skimate in my tank. I am sure it is loaded with organics.
Also should I be feeding at night or in the day? Tank is all soft corals. TIA

 

[seapug]

Yep, that's the main reason why mainy people avoid these products. FWIW, very few corals actually eat phytoplankton-- primarily non-photosynthetic species like Dendronepthea.

Phytoplankton can boost populations of microfauna that heavily carnivorous corals eat, but some extra live rock or a refugium will do the same thing without jeopardizing water quality. If your tank is mostly photosynthetic soft corals, you can be pretty well assured they have plenty of "food" if you have good lighting and an overall well-maintained system.

 

[Don-Coraleone]

all the stuff is is phosphate in a jar..

 

[HowardW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12273596#post12273596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by makavelli911
all the stuff is is phosphate in a jar..

Really?? I better not tell that to my multiplying Christmas Tree Worms :eek1:

 

[Electrobes]

Feeding phytoplankton IMO is a nice addition but I do question products like DT's. In all honesty I suggest growing your own or buying from another reefer near you. A fresh cultured batch is far superior (Again IMO) than what DT's offers.

Growing it yourself has the benefit of security.. you know what's in it.. plus it's easy to do.

 

[macreefster]

i agree with electrobes. after switching from DT's to a local source of phytoplankton i don't have any phosphate or nitrate problems. better yet the local source is much cheaper. i wouldn't recommend DT's and problably wouldnt use phytoplankton at all except that i like gorgonians.

 

[Fishdisease]

I grow my own and I test for phosphates and nitrates in every batch. I cant detect any excess nutrients in my phyto.

Definitely find a local reefer who grows it, and support his habit

The prob with DT's is its mostly dead and decaying by the time you get it. How many LFSs will shake up every bottle of DTs everyday to ensure that it doent smother itself.

 

[scrmbld33]

can you use dt's to grow your own?

 

[Fishdisease]

You can use DT's but you can never be sure which strain of phyto you have. They use a mix of 3 different types, each with different growing parameters. Which ever one outcompletes the rest is what you have. and then it might have been started from a weak strain due to the competition. And if you start from a weaker strain then you may end up with random crashes. That's what happened to me. Once I bought a real starter culture it's been smooth sailing since.

You can order starter cultures from several places like Florida Aqua Farms and get a good, healthy strain that you can grow for years. And trust me, it super easy to grow at home.

Or if you're in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) you can buy it from me

 

[Electrobes]

That reminds me.. I wonder if anyone local sells Isocrysis

 

[HowardW]

Typical of almost every thread here on phytoplankton and DT's......a lot of rumors and misinformation

 

[ConsultantERP]

If you have just started using any kind of phytoplankton start slow. You will find that over time with the addition of phytoplankton your "Pod" poplulation will increase, which is something many of your corals will consume. What happens is that, at first you don't have enough critters to consume the phytoplankton (higher nitrates result), but with time the additional food will increase that population and you can start adding recommended doses.

I have tries with success many types of filtration systems (ieSB, BB, Shallow SB) they all work, but regardless of the system "Pods" can make a huge difference.

Also, for some fish, like a Mandrin Dragonnet its a staple food in their diet.

As far as brands go, I have always used DT's, but I am starting to culture my own (live) phytoplankton, pods, rotifers, brine shrimp.

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12273917#post12273917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HowardW
Typical of almost every thread here on phytoplankton and DT's......a lot of rumors and misinformation

To what are you pertaining to?

 

[seanm001]

I'd been dosing DT's at half the recommended daily dosage, and even only every other day at that. Even though my nitrates and phosphates tested at zero, I was fighting a daily battle with cyano. I assumed this was because there was some source of nitrates / phosphates and that those products were being completely comsumed by the cyano and therefore tested at zero.

I went away on vacation for just over a week and decided to use freeze-dried cyclopeez instead because it's dry and would therefore work in the pill box I give the tanksitter so she doesn't overfeed. I came back from vacation and the cyano was gone. The tank actually looked better than I left it.

Coincidence?

I'm in the process of growing out my first batch of home-brew phyto, but that's mostly for the pod tank. I might use it on the display tank, but in very conservative moderation. I think I'm all but done with DT's in the display tank.

 

[ncwaterboy]

I have 2 gorgonians in the tank, they are photosynthetic species but I had read that they do better if fed, hence the use of the phytoplankton. The interesting thing is I only used it on 3 occasions and almost instantly my nitrate increased.
What is the condensed version of how to grow your own phyto?
Is it hard?

 

[seapug]

Home grown "real" live phytoplankton is very different than the stinky stuff you buy in a bottle. If you have non-photosynthetic herbivorous corals, it's good (and necessary) to have it and use it regularly. Otherwise, it's not really needed. If you really really want to use it, do it very sparingly or it will end up polluting your tank. Remember, Plant fertilizers are used to grow it. Look on a miracle grow label and see the ingredients -- Nitrogen (ammonia), Potash, and Phosphate. I spend way too much time and money trying to get rid of Nitrate and Phosphate to pay money for something that adds it right back to the tank.

 

[mikecc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12275196#post12275196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seanm001

I went away on vacation for just over a week ....... The tank actually looked better than I left it.

Lol, now there is a thread starter!

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12277074#post12277074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
Home grown "real" live phytoplankton is very different than the stinky stuff you buy in a bottle. If you have non-photosynthetic herbivorous corals, it's good (and necessary) to have it and use it regularly. Otherwise, it's not really needed. If you really really want to use it, do it very sparingly or it will end up polluting your tank. Remember, Plant fertilizers are used to grow it. Look on a miracle grow label and see the ingredients -- Nitrogen (ammonia), Potash, and Phosphate. I spend way too much time and money trying to get rid of Nitrate and Phosphate to pay money for something that adds it right back to the tank.

::Nods head in agreement::

Even in my all softie tank + a clam I plan on only adding it sparingly, even if I grow it myself. If anything I will get it locally or grow it myself.

 

[tami1024]

What about Phyto-Feast? My clam is about 2" and I was under the impression that anything 2" and under need addl feeding?

 

[HowardW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12274847#post12274847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
To what are you pertaining to?

<<< You can use DT's but you can never be sure which strain of phyto you have >>>

False




<<< The prob with DT's is its mostly dead and decaying by the time you get it. >>>

Completely false




<<< all the stuff is is phosphate in a jar. >>>

Nonsense



<<< Home grown "real" live phytoplankton is very different than the stinky stuff you buy in a bottle >>>

How so?? The odor of a fresh bottle of DT's is because it's far far more concentrated than 99% of the stuff you culture yourself.




<<< A fresh cultured batch is far superior (Again IMO) than what DT's offers. >>>

Really, how so?