Do you use Live Phytoplankton

BullDZR · #1 02/18/2005, 12:47 PM

Trying to find out what percentage of reefers use Live phytoplankton. And for those who do not, why not?

Thanks in advance to all who answer.

Bull

Hartdude · #2 02/18/2005, 12:57 PM

I have thought several times about starting a culture, but have been just too lazy. One of these days...

swclown · #3 02/18/2005, 12:58 PM

DTs

BullDZR · #4 02/18/2005, 01:20 PM

Thanks guys, keep the answers coming. Also, thos who do use it, have you seen a big improvement in coral health and growth after you started using it?

Bull

sjvl51 · #5 02/18/2005, 01:20 PM

I live too far from any LFS to easily buy DTs or any other live phyto so out of necessity I started culturing. Presently I culture TET & NAN phyto (9 gallons on the go today). I am starting NCP and hope to include ISO as variety is best for the tank. I also add rotifers (3 batches on the go) and freshly hatched brine shrimp daily.

Vickie

greenbean36191 · #6 02/18/2005, 01:28 PM

I don't do it because there is little in my tank that eats it (nothing that I added intentionally) and it adds nutrients to the tank, which is something I don't want.

BullDZR · #7 02/18/2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjvl51
I live too far from any LFS to easily buy DTs or any other live phyto so out of necessity I started culturing. Presently I culture TET & NAN phyto (9 gallons on the go today). I am starting NCP and hope to include ISO as variety is best for the tank. I also add rotifers (3 batches on the go) and freshly hatched brine shrimp daily.

Vickie

Awsome, sounds like alot of time involved?

Wish I had that much free time

Bull

sjvl51 · #8 02/18/2005, 02:17 PM

Bull, it is less than half hour per day - so not a lot of time. I use a window sill (free lighting) which is not the nicest to look at from the outside (the west window faces the road LOL). I recently spent 3 days visiting the US without any issues (rotifers were complaining when I got home).

I think the benefits (increase in the pods, worms, etc) more than makes up for the hassle. I rarely have to feed my fish as they get plenty of natural food from picking at the lr. In fact, I have started feeding my fish more to bring up the nutrient levels so the macro algae/mangroves will grow.

I have to admit that most of the phyto goes into the production of rotifers. The system only gets between 1 and 2 cups of phyto a day. Once I get enough phyto being made, I plan on growing out a few batches of brine shrimp and see what happens.

Vickie

BullDZR · #9 02/18/2005, 07:03 PM

^bump

SilverShark · #10 02/18/2005, 07:44 PM

I've thought about it as apparently the corals love it

Aqua_expert19 · #11 02/18/2005, 07:45 PM

DT

greenbean36191 · #12 02/18/2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

I've thought about it as apparently the corals love it

Most corals could care less since they don't eat it. The few corals that do eat it are almost impossible to keep in captivity. Depending on what type of corals and pods you have the corals MAY benefit indirectly since the pod population may increase.

MCsaxmaster · #13 02/18/2005, 08:21 PM

There are lots of bivalves in my tank, along with quickly growing populations of feather duster worms and copepods (and the larvae of who-knows-what). If I weren't feeding a good amount of phytoplankton, all those animals would die, and the growing populations of meiofauna that I have would have never been apparent. To me, it really doesn't make sense to withhold phytoplankton from a reef tank. I suppose, if my only interest were in keeping corals alive along with some microbes, it wouldn't really matter, but more naturalistic tanks are both more pleasing to my eye and more resilient IME.

Best,

-Chris

jhunko · #14 02/18/2005, 08:31 PM

I have all the goodies to start my culuters. I just need some live photo to kick it off, but never remember to get it.

Salamander · #15 02/18/2005, 11:31 PM

I've been using Liquid Life's products (Bioplankton and zooplankton) - for a few months and have had good results. Sure it pollutes the tank a little, but with proper flow and filtration I have no problems and have ssen increased polyp extension, growth and color.

BullDZR · #16 02/19/2005, 03:37 AM

^

Gatorfan · #17 02/19/2005, 08:18 AM

I use DT's for my baby(~1.5") maxima.

BullDZR · #18 02/19/2005, 10:35 AM

^ bump dada bump

Stile2 · #19 02/19/2005, 10:47 AM

DTs for right now. But I have just converted my livingroom closet into a very small fish room. I plan on culturing my on Phyto soon. Right now I just have a BTA, 1 clam and a Goniopora. So I don't have to dose that much yet.

comatose · #20 02/19/2005, 11:21 AM

i grow my own, i add about a cup per day in a AGA 180, i have a couple feather dusters and other filter feeders that enjoy it, and my two Gonioporas seem to be growing faster.
once you get started it only takes me 10 minutes a week tops to start a new batch from the old one, best of all it's free.

needyreefer · #21 02/19/2005, 11:27 AM

any links to growing your own phyto?

Aquaguru · #22 02/19/2005, 12:53 PM

I use DT

sjvl51 · #23 02/19/2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by needyreefer
any links to growing your own phyto?

Lots of links and info here - http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=135137

I bought the starter cultures, food, manual and density stick from Florida Aqua Farms - http://www.florida-aqua-farms.com/

Vickie

BullDZR · #24 02/19/2005, 06:05 PM

^ Bumpy again

BullDZR · #25 02/20/2005, 07:39 PM

Surely with the great numbers of reefers here there are others who would like to chime in???

View Poll Results: Do you use Live Phytoplankton? If not, why not
Yes / I buy it when I need it	43	48.31%
Yes / I Aquaculture my own	16	17.98%
No / No interest or need	15	16.85%
No / Thought about it, but to expensive or to much time invloved	15	16.85%
Voters: 89. You may not vote on this poll