Phytoplankton ??

greg 45 · Jun 30, 2016

I guess being a old school reefer / Back in the hay days I remember walking into stores and seeing green phyto on the counter. If this is the backbone why isn't anyone using it or if you are please explain how it's working in you tank. Thinking of using it again . Thanks in advance

reefrider777 · Jun 30, 2016

Also do you add phyto during the day or at night?

DanConnor · Jun 30, 2016

There are much improved phyto products now- like phyto feast for example; very concentrated and keeps well. If you are talking about sps, I think you would be better off feeding rotifers, oyster eggs and things like that.

Regarding when- for sps generally night probably is better.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 1, 2016

I'll move this to the main forum.

Joel B in FL · Jul 1, 2016

I feed live phyto three times a week. I add it at night to my fuge. I order mine through @AlgaeBarn

greg 45 · Jul 1, 2016

Joel have you noticed any improvements in the tank
Also what do you keep ??
only three people on the board who dose phyto

Joel B in FL · Jul 1, 2016

Well I started dosing for a couple of different reasons. I had read some places that Phyto would help to outcompete other undesirable algae for nutrients. I also do it for the filter feeders which currently is just a Sinularia leather. I have noticed that if I do not does for a few days that the Sinularia does not open up as much or get as puffy, start dosing again and it starts looking good again. I guess in my mind if we do not have the basic building blocks we will not be able to build that ecosystem in our homes.

DanConnor · Jul 2, 2016

Even if you have no skimmer and no mechanical filtration, I still don't see how phyto is going to outcompete sessile algae.

Joel B in FL · Jul 2, 2016

DanConnor said:
Even if you have no skimmer and no mechanical filtration, I still don't see how phyto is going to outcompete sessile algae.

I can't say that I understand it either and it might not be true but even if it doesn't it still has other benefits as well.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 2, 2016

Phyto and algaes are competing for like food.

DanConnor · Jul 2, 2016

Sure- but if you removed the skimmer and filter socks so the phyto could survive more than an hour, and dosed it till it looked like pea soup, the algae on the rocks would still win that competition.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 2, 2016

I'm not saying phyto is a treatment solution for algae.

greg 45 · Jul 2, 2016

Dan we see refugiums working good algae competing for the same nutrients or to lower nutrients
Just because we cannot see phyto working doesn't mean it's not working
Still hoping other that are dosing would chime in
That was why I posted in the chemistry forum and Randy would have added his opinions

Lionfish Lair · Jul 2, 2016

I dosed for a long time and had a tunicate tank. Funny, I just posted this pic last night in a comical way....

But what was the question? I apologize, but I think I may be missing it.