Phytoplankton effect on nitrates?

[SamMule]

Might be a silly question, but can dosing phytoplankton have any measurable effect on nitrates?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I would say yes, adding any type of organics will up your nutrient leveks

 

[CCauthers]

I agree, anything like that runs the risk of spiking nutrients when they decompose

 

[boacvh]

I don't know much, but I thought this was really interesting thread from Dana Riddle a while back

Nitrate and Phosphorus Control via Phytoplankton Additions?

The new 120-gallon reef tank is doing well and I've added all the fish I feel prudent for now (2-Yellow Tangs, 1-Lamarck's Angel, 2-Maroon Clowns, 2-Ocellaris clowns, 2-Neon Gobies - about 20 inches total length in all and growing.) These fishes are fed at least 3x daily with frozen mysis, live...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[SamMule]

I was wondering if they may actually reduce nitrates via photosynthesis?
Unless the bottled phytoplankton is already dead...

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I don't know much, but I thought this was really interesting thread from Dana Riddle a while back

Nitrate and Phosphorus Control via Phytoplankton Additions?

The new 120-gallon reef tank is doing well and I've added all the fish I feel prudent for now (2-Yellow Tangs, 1-Lamarck's Angel, 2-Maroon Clowns, 2-Ocellaris clowns, 2-Neon Gobies - about 20 inches total length in all and growing.) These fishes are fed at least 3x daily with frozen mysis, live...

www.reef2reef.com

Super interesting, thanks for posting!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I was wondering if they may actually reduce nitrates via photosynthesis?
Unless the bottled phytoplankton is already dead...

Did you read the thread posted by @boacvh

They do sell both bottled dead and live phyto, but depending on where you get it even alot of the live stuff is dead... You need a fresh bottle from a live culture, not something that's been on a shelf for 2 weeks

 

[LeftyReefer]

My tank runs pretty low nutrients.
Nitrates. .25ppm
Phosphates. .02ppm

I've been dosing both live and dead phyto every other day and so far, no measurable affect on nutrient levels.

I feed AB+ and phyto together every other day.

If anything, my phosphates are dropping, not rising. A couple weeks ago my phosphates were reading .03, but currently have been reading .02. (Hanna ULR)

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Our tank is still pretty green and I am feeding Reefroids to keep the nitrates up. I started dosing live phyto to feed the copepods and the nitrates fell to zero within the week. I stopped the phyto and the nitrates went back up. I am currently trying to find the right balance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would say yes, adding any type of organics will up your nutrient leveks

Well, not any type. The forms used for organic carbon dosing do not.

 

[SamMule]

Did you read the thread posted by @boacvh

They do sell both bottled dead and live phyto, but depending on where you get it even alot of the live stuff is dead... You need a fresh bottle from a live culture, not something that's been on a shelf for 2 weeks

Yes, have not got through all of it yet, but this is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Dan_P]

Might be a silly question, but can dosing phytoplankton have any measurable effect on nitrates?

Ask @Dana Riddle

 

[Dana Riddle]

In my opinion, yes, adding phytoplankton on a daily basis will mop up nutrients. In addition, I noticed an abundance of copepods (as evidenced by populations I could see on the viewing pane of the DT.) Some corals, such as Goniopora. suffered when phyto additions were reduced.

 

[csb123]

My dose of vodka has reduced slightly since I’ve started 2 cups homegrown daily to a 300 gal.