Does phytoplankton cause algae growth?

JAMSOURY · Feb 11, 2018

I’ve been dosing some phytoplankton to feed my copepods but lately I’ve been having algae issues. Could the phytoplankton be causing the algae growth? I have 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates

SDReefer · Feb 11, 2018

If anything, phytoplankton would decrease nitrates. If you have algae in your system, it is probably concealing an underlying issue, perhaps overfeeding or not enough maintenance. Try manually removing the algae and see how high your nitrates go.

TerraFerma · Feb 11, 2018

Live phyto shouldn't cause more algae growth - it should decrease it. But if your dumping in too much non-live phyto concentrate that could be helping the algae along a bit.

joanropi17 · Oct 3, 2023

TerraFerma said:
Live phyto shouldn't cause more algae growth - it should decrease it. But if your dumping in too much non-live phyto concentrate that could be helping the algae along a bit.

I'm having this issue. I'm using this photo attached. I have 0 phosphates and 1 nitrate. I have hair algae growing (no good).

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 3, 2023

joanropi17 said:
I'm having this issue. I'm using this photo attached. I have 0 phosphates and 1 nitrate. I have hair algae growing (no good).

These are not live products.

Propane · Oct 3, 2023

Light, phosphates and nitrates are causing the algae growth. As stated above those are not live products and are your source for algae food. The same company does have live phyto.

Reefering1 · Oct 3, 2023

While dosing phytoplankton should consume nutrients, I'm pretty sure it also contains fertilizer/nutrients. I imagine, that if you have thriving algea, algea can utilize it also. 0/0 test results may be skewed by algea growth consuming available nutrients. Pics of tank?

Kasrift · Oct 3, 2023

joanropi17 said:
I'm having this issue. I'm using this photo attached. I have 0 phosphates and 1 nitrate. I have hair algae growing (no good).

Well two things to note. First, not sure if you and the original poster are using the same blend of phyto, but make sure you shake it at least daily and keep it refrigerated. If it settles, it dies. I culture phyto and when I harvest I put it in the refrigerator door and shake pretty much any time I go into the fridge.

Second, as mentioned live phyto should consume nitrates and phosphate. It’s literally what you are dosing to grow phyto cultures. If it is dead though or too much is dosed then it dies and contributes to nutrients.

Lastly, there are other things to look at that could be contributing to hair algae.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 3, 2023

joanropi17 said:
I'm having this issue. I'm using this photo attached. I have 0 phosphates and 1 nitrate. I have hair algae growing (no good).

I highly recommend Dinkins Aquatic Gardens for pods and phytoplankton.

Reefering1 · Oct 3, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
These are not live products.

Propane said:
Light, phosphates and nitrates are causing the algae growth. As stated above those are not live products and are your source for algae food. The same company does have live phyto.

That's not op

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 3, 2023

Reefering1 said:
That's not op

No, but the last post prior to the person I replied to was 5 years ago... guess I could have asked him to create his own thread, but I don't want to push my luck, iykwim

Reefering1 · Oct 3, 2023

Lol. Didn't notice the dates

Propane · Oct 3, 2023

Reefering1 said:
That's not op

Ooh my bad.

Pickle_soup · Oct 3, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
I highly recommend Dinkins Aquatic Gardens for pods and phytoplankton.

I have a question for you, the Amphipods they have are in some sort of gel. How do you introduce them to the tank?

Reefering1 · Oct 3, 2023

Propane said:
Ooh my bad.

Its on me. I should have left it alone, old thread resurrected. Carry on!!

Reefering1 · Oct 3, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
I highly recommend Dinkins Aquatic Gardens for pods and phytoplankton.

How do you feel about algeabarn?

jimk60 · Oct 3, 2023

Reefering1 said:
How do you feel about algeabarn?

Look up Eldredge on this forum. Sells good phyto cheap. I've bought from him numerous times

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 3, 2023

Reefering1 said:
How do you feel about algeabarn?

I have not had good luck with their pods. At all. Like the jars had barely any living pods, and neither did the replacement jars they sent. I've ordered pods from a number of online vendors and BY FAR, Dinkins has been the most highly concentrated (if that's the right word). I also got phyto from algaebarn and assume it was ok but was more interested in the pod survival during shipping.