Phytoplankton

[reeffer1]

I was looking through e-bay and found some live phytoplankton from a place called texas corals and also from Ashby aquatics. I was wondering if anyone uses either of these or if they have heard about them? I do not know if I want to take a chance with an unknown phyto.:confused:

[Saltz Creep]

I bought this guy's phyto about 6 months ago, and I have been culturing it for about that long.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=4311680277

[reeffer1]

So you are saying it is good Stuff. How are you culturing it?

[Saltz Creep]

It's great stuff. My clams and Hawaiin dusters have been really growing. You can culture large amounts of it for pocket change per litre. Here's a good guide:

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/phyto.cfm

Don't forget to click on thumbnail photos in the guide.

[reeffer1]

That stuff is not for sale any more but I found this phyto http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20759&item=4344883951&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW I am wondering if using a live phyto like one of these could introduce anything harmfull that could cause problems in my system??

[Saltz Creep]

I'd get the Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis. (Rotifers are too difficult to culture). Culture them separately or else Nannichloropsis will probably out reproduce the other.

[reeffer1]

So ....... Is there any need to worry about Live phyto intoducing anything harmfull into my system?

[Saltz Creep]

No. But be aware that phyto may add some phosphate and nitrate especially from premature cultures that have not been allowed to consume all nutrients before harvest.