Experiences with Live Phytoplankton and nutrient management

[crazyfishmom]

Hi all,

I wanted to ask the community about their experience with Live Phytoplankton use, nutrient management (has it impacted your phosphate/nitrate levels and how so), and coral health/growth. I just ordered a bunch of stuff to start phyto cultures at home and wanted to get a perspective on how people feel their tank performs when using continuously.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Formulator]

Surprised nobody has chimed in yet! I just started cultures so I’m interested as well. Bump!

 

[crazyfishmom]

Surprised nobody has chimed in yet! I just started cultures so I’m interested as well. Bump!

Which species have you started with? I ordered starter cultures for nannochloropsis and tetraselmis. Both are green but would like to look into other strains.

 

[Formulator]

Which species have you started with? I ordered starter cultures for nannochloropsis and tetraselmis. Both are green but would like to look into other strains.

I bought this 3-pack from reef genetics and have successful cultures of the tetraselmis and tisochrysis going now. I’ve harvested once already. Really happy with them so far. I just need another jar and will get the Rhodomonis going as well. I still haven’t figured out how I want to dose my tank, so for now I’m just stockpiling the harvests in my garage fridge LOL.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I bought this 3-pack from reef genetics and have successful cultures of the tetraselmis and tisochrysis going now. I’ve harvested once already. Really happy with them so far. I just need another jar and will get the Rhodomonis going as well. I still haven’t figured out how I want to dose my tank, so for now I’m just stockpiling the harvests in my garage fridge LOL.

Thanks for the link!

What are you using for light?

I have repurposed a kombucha making kit that I got for my husband a while ago and he never used. Haven’t started the cultures yet since they’ll be arriving on Wednesday.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I mostly dose Tet and Iso I will throw in some Nano cultures or others. Plus my "swamp" mix, which is a mix of phyto, pods and brine. I do a turkey baster of each three times a day. I can't say what it would be like if I wouldn’t dose because since I have gotten back in to reefing I have always done so. But I have had creatures grow from zooplankton, I have seen mussels, oysters and clams grow. I feel Phyto is one the building blocks of the ocean.
As far as nutrients go, well, sometimes it is difficult to have any, so on some tanks that is something to watch. I do have a Po4 issue in one of my tanks, but I have a feeling it is related to the dry rock I used.
You do have to grow your own, which can be as easy as a jar, air pump and window sill. I mean you could purchase it, which often I do if I need a fresh culture, but that culture I can have last for months. But then I will get lazy and it will cross contaminate or crash. @ReefLegends has really good single strains and F2 fertilizer also. Skylar will also help with any advice to get you up and running.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I mostly dose Tet and Iso I will throw in some Nano cultures or others. Plus my "swamp" mix, which is a mix of phyto, pods and brine. I do a turkey baster of each three times a day. I can't say what it would be like if I wouldn’t dose because since I have gotten back in to reefing I have always done so. But I have had creatures grow from zooplankton, I have seen mussels, oysters and clams grow. I feel Phyto is one the building blocks of the ocean.
As far as nutrients go, well, sometimes it is difficult to have any, so on some tanks that is something to watch. I do have a Po4 issue in one of my tanks, but I have a feeling it is related to the dry rock I used.
You do have to grow your own, which can be as easy as a jar, air pump and window sill. I mean you could purchase it, which often I do if I need a fresh culture, but that culture I can have last for months. But then I will get lazy and it will cross contaminate or crash. @ReefLegends has really good single strains and F2 fertilizer also. Skylar will also help with any advice to get you up and running.

Thanks for al the info!

Where are your nitrates and phosphates usually?

Do you feel like the phyto helps to manage them?

 

[Formulator]

Thanks for the link!

What are you using for light?

I have repurposed a kombucha making kit that I got for my husband a while ago and he never used. Haven’t started the cultures yet since they’ll be arriving on Wednesday.

I kept it super simple. Just using a clip-on desk lamp with a regular light bulb we already had at our house. My research seemed to indicate they aren’t picky about light and will grow fine under pretty much any source of white light. My experience so far seems to confirm that.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I kept it super simple. Just using a clip-on desk lamp with a regular light bulb we already had at our house. My research seemed to indicate they aren’t picky about light and will grow fine under pretty much any source of white light. My experience so far seems to confirm that.

Love it. Thanks for sharing!

 

[jeffmr4]

Interested in this. Following.

 

[kdx7214]

Back before I had surgery I was dosing both nano and tetra daily. It kept the nutrient levels down significantly and the tank did great. Had surgery and was unable to do anything with the tank for a couple of months and now I have GHA and valonia all over the place. Will be getting back to the phyto soon though.

 

[crazyfishmom]

Back before I had surgery I was dosing both nano and tetra daily. It kept the nutrient levels down significantly and the tank did great. Had surgery and was unable to do anything with the tank for a couple of months and now I have GHA and valonia all over the place. Will be getting back to the phyto soon though.

Ooooh…. Tank size? Bioload? Filtration?

One question I always have is: do you turn off your skimmer etc?

 

[ReefLegends]

I mostly dose Tet and Iso I will throw in some Nano cultures or others. Plus my "swamp" mix, which is a mix of phyto, pods and brine. I do a turkey baster of each three times a day. I can't say what it would be like if I wouldn’t dose because since I have gotten back in to reefing I have always done so. But I have had creatures grow from zooplankton, I have seen mussels, oysters and clams grow. I feel Phyto is one the building blocks of the ocean.
As far as nutrients go, well, sometimes it is difficult to have any, so on some tanks that is something to watch. I do have a Po4 issue in one of my tanks, but I have a feeling it is related to the dry rock I used.
You do have to grow your own, which can be as easy as a jar, air pump and window sill. I mean you could purchase it, which often I do if I need a fresh culture, but that culture I can have last for months. But then I will get lazy and it will cross contaminate or crash. @ReefLegends has really good single strains and F2 fertilizer also. Skylar will also help with any advice to get you up and running.

Are you sure? I get hammered with emails these days. I feel bad for people waiting for a response. Calling 801-901-0970 works better.

How did the last batch go for you? You took Chui and T-iso from CFM LAX right?

Dosing live phytoplankton when properly feed to a display tank, will reduce nitrates, phosphates and silcia when dosing a diatom blend.

Most important is you want to finish the phyto to peak density 7-10 days from adding fertilizer so you aren't adding nitrate, phosphate, silica or any other element being fed to your phytoplankton,

My systems run at 0 nitrate, 0 phosphate, I've switched dry feeds to supplement my nutrient levels. I now use Reef Roids for to add phosphate, PNS yellow sno for nitrate, I've stopped rinsing my hikari frozen food. The few locals I allow over to the operation are shocked by the coral growth and colors I've achieved. Now with that being said, I do have some issues from time to time when I sell out and do not feed for 2-3 weeks.

Phytoplankton isn't going to be a cure all for solution or problem. If you are feeding consistently and stop feeding you will have another issue arise.

My office tank is a 65 gallon torch display, my corals in there get spoiled, I typically dump 1-2 quarts of phytoplankton in there daily, turn off my return pump for 1-3 hours while the wave makers keep the phytoplankton in suspension. Sometimes my return pump is off for half a day if I forget. I've also noticed my PH is more stable when dosing phytoplankton vs not, during the summer my PH on that system dipped down to 7.9 during the summer heat wave in Utah when I don't open my windows at night. The last 2 summers my PH is 8.1 or higher during the night hours.

 

[crazyfishmom]

Are you sure? I get hammered with emails these days. I feel bad for people waiting for a response. Calling 801-901-0970 works better.

How did the last batch go for you? You took Chui and T-iso from CFM LAX right?

Dosing live phytoplankton when properly feed to a display tank, will reduce nitrates, phosphates and silcia when dosing a diatom blend.

Most important is you want to finish the phyto to peak density 7-10 days from adding fertilizer so you aren't adding nitrate, phosphate, silica or any other element being fed to your phytoplankton,

My systems run at 0 nitrate, 0 phosphate, I've switched dry feeds to supplement my nutrient levels. I now use Reef Roids for to add phosphate, PNS yellow sno for nitrate, I've stopped rinsing my hikari frozen food. The few locals I allow over to the operation are shocked by the coral growth and colors I've achieved. Now with that being said, I do have some issues from time to time when I sell out and do not feed for 2-3 weeks.

Phytoplankton isn't going to be a cure all for solution or problem. If you are feeding consistently and stop feeding you will have another issue arise.

My office tank is a 65 gallon torch display, my corals in there get spoiled, I typically dump 1-2 quarts of phytoplankton in there daily, turn off my return pump for 1-3 hours while the wave makers keep the phytoplankton in suspension. Sometimes my return pump is off for half a day if I forget. I've also noticed my PH is more stable when dosing phytoplankton vs not, during the summer my PH on that system dipped down to 7.9 during the summer heat wave in Utah when I don't open my windows at night. The last 2 summers my PH is 8.1 or higher during the night hours.

Thank you for the response! All super helpful to hear. Going to check out the reef legends website now!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

How did the last batch go for you? You took Chui and T-iso from CFM LAX right?

I took ISO and Tet... I have to split my Tet It is a dark emerald green right now. I will probably have to split it in quarters it is so concentrated. Nothing like a good culture to start with!

 

[kdx7214]

Ooooh…. Tank size? Bioload? Filtration?

One question I always have is: do you turn off your skimmer etc?

It's a 75g DT with a 40g sump. The only filtration was filter socks into the sump. I didn't even own a skimmer at the time and didn't need one. Bioload was pretty low - just 5 fish and 3 corals but all did quite well and water testing showed nutrients on the low end. I also feed quite heavily - a full cube daily and I let the whole thing thaw and stay in the tank.

I'm not sure how a skimmer would affect it. I do have one now and when I get started I'll have to do some testing. I suspect it would pull the phyto out of the water though.

 

[crazyfishmom]

It's a 75g DT with a 40g sump. The only filtration was filter socks into the sump. I didn't even own a skimmer at the time and didn't need one. Bioload was pretty low - just 5 fish and 3 corals but all did quite well and water testing showed nutrients on the low end. I also feed quite heavily - a full cube daily and I let the whole thing thaw and stay in the tank.

I'm not sure how a skimmer would affect it. I do have one now and when I get started I'll have to do some testing. I suspect it would pull the phyto out of the water though.

Thanks for the info and insight. I am really looking forward to starting my cultures and I have a skimmer as well as a reef mat so I’ve been thinking about how to dose phyto and reap the most benefits. All these first hand accounts are priceless!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Thanks for the info and insight. I am really looking forward to starting my cultures and I have a skimmer as well as a reef mat so I’ve been thinking about how to dose phyto and reap the most benefits. All these first hand accounts are priceless!

If your running a Reefmat no worries. The RS fleece is 200 microns and most Phyto fall between 15-25, so don't worry about too much getting pulled out of the system. My skimmer turns on 20 minutes after I feed and I have it on a lower setting, so I do not worry about it too much.