RGComplete...stand alone until after meta?

[Lou Young]

I have only researched all this and have no experience yet, I don't understand what the theory is behind waiting... Its purpose is to hold nitrifying bacteria which should be bennificial at any stage, right?

I would think that the sponge would suck in the rotifers and green water so maybe that's why everyone I have talked to and read about waits till closer to meta, but I am all for trying a new way if it helps.

 

[GreshamH]

While a household sponge sucks of water, a sponge filter doesn't really capture such small things as phytoplankton and rotifers. Rotifers in theory could get trapped inside with not enough food and pass on, but they also can get out again. We're talking about things that are small as a red blood cell to .14 millimeters in length. Pretty darn small stuff and aquarium sponge filters have very large pore sizes in comparison.

 

[GreshamH]

Ive been researching all this for only a week now. I did not realize when I posted this that EPA, DHA, etc were types of HUFA. Lol.

At least I'm learning... So I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but in your opinion, what are the advantages is using products like RG over culturing your own phyto? If people successfully grow healthy clowns via feeding rots with a single culture such as nanno...
I'm assuming the effort in culturing the phyto is a big one..

But I'm struggling as I do my research to choose a method. Products like RG are easier, probably more balanced in HUFA distribution as well as other additions, but more costly. They will also contribute to dirtying the water and contributing to potential crashes if not careful.., where live phyto would not. I'd assume phyto being an algae would actually do the opposite. I guess you just have to be more careful with the non-living products? Pros and cons...

Cons to live would be

• pH swings
• need to keep F2 media in the larval tank
• uses up DO (dissolved oxygen)
• time consuming (time is money)
• Need to purchase F2 media
• Need to split cultures
• need to enrich

and some other points, but those are the ones to be concerned about.

Both non live and live are done the same way in terms of rotifer culture, IME, pretty vast here, non live is easier to maintain and you won't run out if your phyto cultures crash or get contaminated, and they will. even the best loose cultures.

The cost of a daily feeding of RGcomplete for a 1 million harvest rate is about $0.50 a day, or $3.50 a week (if you bought a 16oz bottle). Is your time worth more or less then that a week to maintain your cultures? Its not a question I can answer for you, but for me, my time is worth far more then that

Feel free to email us at techsupport@reedmariculture.com if you really want to get deep into this discussion.

 

[_shorty_]

Thanks for the reply. Good list of things to consider. I never considered needing f/2 in the rot culture, though. Rots will raise NH3, while algae will consumes NH3. And, not concerned much about algae reproducing much in the rot culture, only sustaining to be eaten.

However, you bring up a good point about the cost of time. I guess I had no real reference previously either on how long certain prepared foods might actually last.

When you specify 1 million harvest rate: does that mean when you pull out 25-30% of the culture (daily), you are pullling out ~1million rotifers? - and I'm assuming that number will vary based on all the varied parameters that affect production rates..?

I may take you up on that offer to email you for more discussion. thanks.

 

[GreshamH]

I strongly disagree... nutrition is always a concern. Unless you are removing the F2 from the phyto culture (pretty hard for an average hobbyist to do) or growing to the true peak, there will be F2 in the culture tank.

Yes, if you are following the parameters and are getting good production, the feed conversion should be around what I listed and will land you a harvest rate of that. That is for our product, not algae in general.

 

[_shorty_]

I strongly disagree... nutrition is always a concern. Unless you are removing the F2 from the phyto culture (pretty hard for an average hobbyist to do) or growing to the true peak, there will be F2 in the culture tank.

Yes, if you are following the parameters and are getting good production, the feed conversion should be around what I listed and will land you a harvest rate of that. That is for our product, not algae in general.

OH!!! i mis-read your bullet point. For whatever reason I read it as you have to put f/2 IN the culture to keep the phyto alive. Man, I'm slow sometimes. Thanks for patience and clarification. That makes MUCH more sense. lol

 

[GreshamH]

I wrote that in a hurry, its not worded the best to say the least :lol: Thanks for sticking with me on it.

 

[michael grady]

Gresham..

Just a couple quick questions:

1. What is the shelf life (refrigerated) of the RGC complete?
2. If he RGC complete is frozen, does it loose any value?
3. Can you recommend a 'dose' for a typical 5 gallon bucket - harvesting rotis every day?
4. On the roti culture...by harvest, I typically pour about a gallon of roti water through one of your sieves. Should I be doing any sort of water change in the roti bucket??

Thanks!

Michael

 

[GreshamH]

I overheard one of our tech support team talking to you today so I assume this all has been answered?