Dosing Phytoplankton

MichaelReefer · Apr 28, 2020

Hello! I just got my culture kit and have begun making Phytoplankton! I have about a week until I can get my first batch but I had some questions I was hoping some of you can help me with.

-Should I turn my protein skimmer off when dosing?
- How much and how often should I be dosing? I heard 5ml per 10 gallons, every other day, but haven't found a definitive answer.
- Should I pour some directly into my Refugium and some into my display? All in one? Any specifics?

Appreciate any help!

fishface NJ · Apr 28, 2020

I have a 40g tank and dose 5mg per day into my DT. I do it at night and turn off filter and skimmer

MichaelReefer · Apr 28, 2020

fishface NJ said:
I have a 40g tank and dose 5mg per day into my DT. I do it at night and turn off filter and skimmer

Do you think it's a good idea to split some in Refugium (for the pods) and some in Display?

How long do you turn your skimmer? Over night?

jeffchapok · Apr 28, 2020

I dose 30 ml daily for 60 gal. Skimmer turns off overnight at 9:00 pm, so I dose after that. If I forget, I'll do it at 7:00 am next day. Skimmer comes back on at 9:00 am.

I only add it to the DT, figuring it'll make its way into the sump on its own.

fishface NJ · Apr 28, 2020

You can dose in DT, or to DT and sump. I turn off skimmer and filter for 30 minutes. I also feed my fish during this time too. Powerhead are left on

MichaelReefer · Apr 29, 2020

fishface NJ said:
You can dose in DT, or to DT and sump. I turn off skimmer and filter for 30 minutes. I also feed my fish during this time too. Powerhead are left on

Awesome, I'm excited to see the results. Hopefully next monday I will begin dosing.

How can you tell if they are "ready?" Just the color, when its darker?

Bryknicks · Apr 29, 2020

MichaelReefer said:
Awesome, I'm excited to see the results. Hopefully next monday I will begin dosing.

How can you tell if they are "ready?" Just the color, when its darker?

Following because I'm about to start culturing my own as well. From what I've gathered its the darker color that indicates they are ready, uually between 7-10 days.

AdamNC · Apr 29, 2020

I dose:
40br with a 10g sump 10ml a night after lights off.
10g sumpless 2.5ml a night after lights off.

Both tanks continue will full filtration.

MichaelReefer · May 1, 2020

Well, my led strip came in, so I did a DIY Phytoplankton reactor. I was using a lamp under there before.

Bryknicks · May 1, 2020

MichaelReefer said:
Well, my led strip came in, so I did a DIY Phytoplankton reactor. I was using a lamp under there before.

Was the lamp not working well enough for you? I'm working on getting supplies together to set up mine and was planning on using a lamp over the strips.

MichaelReefer · May 1, 2020

Bryknicks said:
Was the lamp not working well enough for you? I'm working on getting supplies together to set up mine and was planning on using a lamp over the strips.

The lamp seemed to be working fine but it threw off a lot of heat, and it was my Fiances desk lamp so she wanted it back. lol.

Bryknicks · May 1, 2020

MichaelReefer said:
The lamp seemed to be working fine but it threw off a lot of heat, and it was my Fiances desk lamp so she wanted it back. lol.

Lol, got it. Makes me feel much better. I'm going to be using an LED bulb that puts off almost no heat. I'll see how that goes first, if not I know the strip lighting has been proven.