Phytoplankton

[Boosterman]

Here is a very good article on Phytoplankton, long, very long but very informative. http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog...en_102500.html

I believe my tank is a section of the ocean, and it's my job as a hobbist to provide my marine critters with the best possible food structure. Thanks to my brother, I can. That means working from the bottom up. Phtyoplankton is the bottom of the marine food chain (besides water, light & poo). Phytoplankton in your water is consumed by almost every critter, yes big and small, swiming or not in your tank. LIVE Phytoplankton is the best, but either way, DT's or LIVE, it takes months before you will see any true results.

Cons:
Cultured Phytoplankton can polute your tank. Pouring 2l into a 100gal tank will cause your numbers to go crazy. Just like setting up your tank, Phyto takes time to show results. What I've read and and believe is that, it's the amount of fertilizer used in each batch causes the most problems.
Some people will brag about how green there batches are, but I can assure you, they loaded it down with fertilizers to achieve that dark green. I'm not saying dark green is bad, I can achieve a dark green, but over 7-9 days and not 4-5 days. Greener is better, just over time and by nurturing it over time will give you the best results.

[fender316]

hey i like your post, but your link is dead.  i've been wanting to find out more about live foods.  i've seen pictures of peoples phytoplankton setups with the dark green botles, kinda wanted to try something out.  wheres the best source of live phytoplankton? and rotifers for that matter.... at big als they keep their live rotifers in the fridge i dont get it. are they actually alive? i figure live colonies of this stuff are better than frozen food, im not feeding my tank anything really cause i got a nitrate problem.  how much of this stuff approximately would you be putting in?  the problem is buying 2l like you say and putting it all in the tank that would be a disaster, so how would you store it so that it doesnt go bad i wonder?  i also wouldnt mind finding somewhere to buy live mysid shrimp, i seem to have a lot of them now, but i had to steal a few from my sister's tank a few months back    helped recolonate the species.  theres also tiny little specs that swim around in big colonies in low flow areas, are those rotifers, or cyclopeeze perhaps?

[Boosterman]

Hey I still have some live Phyto left. Yes you keep it in the fridge althoug hyou have to make sure you shake it every other day. I have found it has made a huge differance on my tank.  I will right more but if you would like some get in touch with me tomorrow.

[kennyman]

If you dont hookup with boosterman her is a link for you to check out. http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/default.php?cPath=2_101

[Boosterman]

Hey's not bad but did you look at his prices.... he wants 15 dollars for the stuff..

[nelson]

I started growing phyto quite some time ago.  The start-up cost was $20 for the initial culture, $20 for the f2 Algae Grow fertilizer, a pump, some plastic hose, a gang valve and an old low-light aquarium fixture.  I maintain 4 x 2 liter containers (plastic coke bottles) continually, shaking daily.  Once a container matures after the 8 - 10 day grow period, I add 1/2 cup daily to the tank.  Instead of the rediculous prices for phyto in the LFS's I now pay NOTHING for fresh living organisms that corals and clams relish. 

If your interested you can see a picture of my grow-op in the link in my signature block.

[az]

i see a big difference since i started using live phytos in my tank, if overfed, frozen phytos will pollute your tank, live phytos wont as much from experience. number of tube worms/feather dusters trippled and sps/some lps look a lot happier too, u have to feed 1/2-1 cup a day(depending on your load) for about 2 wks b4 you notice a difference! go slow at the beg is my only advise, its good stuff!

i have the fertilizer if anyone needs some....$17!

anyone has links to how to grow rotifiers? i wanna try that too!

[murgus]

hey i like your post, but your link is dead...

Hi fender316, try this:

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/r_toonen_102500.html

Andrew

[yellowtang]

....I got a bottle today.......and I can honestly tell you
it made a difference on the Atlantic carpet anemone I got.
he has opened to almost 10 inches wide and xenia
has become more extended....
this was only first day........

[az]

....I got a bottle today.......and I can honestly tell you
it made a difference on the Atlantic carpet anemone I got.
he has opened to almost 10 inches wide and xenia
has become more extended....
this was only first day........

go easy yt!