Phytoplankton

[erictorres0311]

Looking for some phyto .... would also be interested in seeing phyto set up .... possibly looking to start a culture any info would help thank you

 

[erictorres0311]

Anyone ?

 

[Bonsainut]

When I met my wife to be, her single most specific memory was that I was growing phytoplankton in 2-liter bottles in a rack in my apartment window. I was a charmer, needless to say

I don't have any current cultures, but I can answer lots of questions...

If you are just looking for cultures, the single best source in the US will be Frank Hoff @ Florida Aqua Farms

 

[erictorres0311]

Thank you .... one of the main question I have is.... is it really worth culturing phyto ? And copepods ? ..... how effective is it to add .... current stock is naso, blue, gold rim, orange shoulder and a zebra eel ...... corals couple Zoas and Ricordia and a torch .... nothing crazy but I’m currently running a bare bottom .... current thought process is since I have bare bottom most copepods would only be on rock ... culturing copepods and phyto would help increase population

 

[Bonsainut]

It is not difficult to culture, per se. However the only reason why I would bother would be if

(1) I was running a species tank of non-photosynthetic inverts that required it.
(2) I was using it as the pyramid base for live foods for raising salt water fish larvae.

Just for a general reef tank with photosynthetic corals and live rock? I don't personally think there is a need.

Note that the culture water for phyto is pretty high in nutrients. Dosing that into a reef tank may cause issues that are greater than the benefits - i.e. with unwanted algae growth, etc. Just my opinion.