What Good are Phytoplankton, Rotifers, Copepods, Brine, and Mysis?

[captbunzo]

New to this hobby, I have been read about a thousand articles, forum posts, rants, etc, on the internet about reefkeeping. I have repeatedly come across comments about people home-brewing cultures of phytoplankton, rotifers, copepods, brine shrip, and mysis shrimp.

I have read about how these are good food for some things, good use as detritivores in DSB, and so on and so forth.

However, it's all a little muddy to me right now. I was hoping that someone might be able to give me a good grip on what these different cultures are good for.

I am intrigued at the idea of growing some of these (sounds fun), but would like to know what is most practial and helpful for my tank.

Just for the record, I am setting up a 29G reef w/ 10G sump. Sand bed is 3 inches in display, 4 inches in sump. I will also have some spaghetti algae in the sump (refugium).

I also may get some newborn seahorse eventually from someone and try to raise them in a species specific tank.

Thank you for your time.

[MitchMC]

look here

Cheeers
MitcMc

[NeilPearson]

They are all food. Some fish and coral have specialized diets and need certain things.

For example, many Mandarins will only eat live copepods.