Do I "Phytoplankton" or not GHEEZ!!!! - Page 2

doctorgori · 10/06/2011, 08:29 AM

Even after posting I found some more stuff and I have continued to read:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1666140

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1972929

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1943711

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1478531

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog...en_102500.html
(pardon the above link, but it is so pertinent to this discussion the benefits outweigh the sin.....interestingly this guy "Toonen" was a critic of phyto not too long ago, but to be fair he has changed his position on other topics before)

...So far using phyto to culture rotifers seems to be a definite (and BTW from my understanding all you need is live rotifers, a 5gal bucket, 1.020 water and air)
http://www.reedmariculture.com/suppo...culturing.html

...the concern about phosphates might not be one if your algae culture is dense enuough and right before harvest/split (seems to be about 7 days? + 2)

...I've used "micracle grow" to make FW cultures, but my concern would be adding unneeded "crap" to my pristine tank...I've also used Guiliards before from AES but FAF seems to have the cheapest + S&H

doctorgori · 10/06/2011, 11:57 AM

http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps...2/m282p151.pdf

...and to answer my own post (just for public ref./digestion)

http://www.reedmariculture.com/suppo...culturing.html

Leigerreign · 10/06/2011, 12:20 PM

The amount of fertilizer that makes it's way into the tank unprocessed by phyto is incredibly tiny. If your culture is 2liters...you put 10ml of Miracle grow into the solution MAX. Even if we think of Miracle Grow as 100% fertilizer (it's not) then you are theoretically dosing a max of 10ml per 2liters of phyto.

However, we know that isn't true since Miracle Grow is synthesized by the phyto. So, depending on the density of your culture....you are dosing between 0ml and 10ml of fertilizer per 2 liters.

Lets assume the maximum 10ml anyways, for argument's sake.

Generally speaking, I don't dose more than 100ml of phyto per feeding. I dose about 3 times per week. So, that's per week a maximum of 300ml of phyto per week.

Since the concentration of fertilizer is, at most, 10ml/2000ml, or 0.005, or 0.5%.

So, out of 300ml per week that constitutes only 1.5ml of fertilizer (again, given our ridiculous assumption that the concentration is 10ml/2000ml)

So, in order for the miracle grow to pose a "phosphate problem"...your system would need to export less than 1.5ml worth of phosphate per week.

I guarantee I put more phosphates into my tank in one pellet feeding than I do in a month of phyto feedings. (Given that were not considering phyto as a phosphate source).

Triple One · 10/07/2011, 01:41 PM

Yeah, I guess we are better off not trading.

As I said, DT's is in the middle of moving so I can't find any anywhere. My LFS does sell another brand I just always seem to miss their last bottle by an hour or so.

I don't think I will be needing any Chaeto either; I ordered some Ogo algae online and the amount that arrived yesterday was PLENTY to get my refugium started. Thanx anyway though.

Still trying to track down some viable phytoplankton... Anybody else need a 10G tank?

Leigerreign · 10/07/2011, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple One

Yeah, I guess we are better off not trading.

As I said, DT's is in the middle of moving so I can't find any anywhere. My LFS does sell another brand I just always seem to miss their last bottle by an hour or so.

I don't think I will be needing any Chaeto either; I ordered some Ogo algae online and the amount that arrived yesterday was PLENTY to get my refugium started. Thanx anyway though.

Still trying to track down some viable phytoplankton... Anybody else need a 10G tank?

If you want a jar, I can ship it to you for like $15. I'll throw an ice pack in it, but I don't know how long it will last. I can't ship it $15 overnight or anything...so it'll probably be in transit for 4 days. If you like, email me at leigerreign@gmail.com and we can work out the details...

doctorgori · 10/08/2011, 06:02 AM

I got this stuff from Premium Aquatics I think:

...it comes as 2 species in 2 separate bottles for like $15 ...

...and I've set up like this:

I suspect the "nano" is still viable as it seems to be getting darker...the "T" (whatever that is) started lighter but remains so ... my understanding is the culture is lighter anyway, but I dunno

10/07/2011, 01:41 PM	#29
Triple One Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Landlacht Arizona Posts: 115	Yeah, I guess we are better off not trading. As I said, DT's is in the middle of moving so I can't find any anywhere. My LFS does sell another brand I just always seem to miss their last bottle by an hour or so. I don't think I will be needing any Chaeto either; I ordered some Ogo algae online and the amount that arrived yesterday was PLENTY to get my refugium started. Thanx anyway though. Still trying to track down some viable phytoplankton... Anybody else need a 10G tank? __________________ symbiosis is enlightenment. PLAH!!! LASHAMANAHAMMA! Current Tank Info: Hello My Name Is Wild Widescreen Wonderland: 125G mixed reef w/ 45G fuge and 40G DIY sump. Coddling is Ill-Advised.

10/06/2011, 08:29 AM	#26
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	Even after posting I found some more stuff and I have continued to read: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1666140 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1972929 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1943711 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1478531 http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog...en_102500.html (pardon the above link, but it is so pertinent to this discussion the benefits outweigh the sin.....interestingly this guy "Toonen" was a critic of phyto not too long ago, but to be fair he has changed his position on other topics before) ...So far using phyto to culture rotifers seems to be a definite (and BTW from my understanding all you need is live rotifers, a 5gal bucket, 1.020 water and air) http://www.reedmariculture.com/suppo...culturing.html ...the concern about phosphates might not be one if your algae culture is dense enuough and right before harvest/split (seems to be about 7 days? + 2) ...I've used "micracle grow" to make FW cultures, but my concern would be adding unneeded "crap" to my pristine tank...I've also used Guiliards before from AES but FAF seems to have the cheapest + S&H

10/06/2011, 11:57 AM	#27
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps...2/m282p151.pdf ...and to answer my own post (just for public ref./digestion) http://www.reedmariculture.com/suppo...culturing.html

10/06/2011, 12:20 PM	#28
Leigerreign Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 15	The amount of fertilizer that makes it's way into the tank unprocessed by phyto is incredibly tiny. If your culture is 2liters...you put 10ml of Miracle grow into the solution MAX. Even if we think of Miracle Grow as 100% fertilizer (it's not) then you are theoretically dosing a max of 10ml per 2liters of phyto. However, we know that isn't true since Miracle Grow is synthesized by the phyto. So, depending on the density of your culture....you are dosing between 0ml and 10ml of fertilizer per 2 liters. Lets assume the maximum 10ml anyways, for argument's sake. Generally speaking, I don't dose more than 100ml of phyto per feeding. I dose about 3 times per week. So, that's per week a maximum of 300ml of phyto per week. Since the concentration of fertilizer is, at most, 10ml/2000ml, or 0.005, or 0.5%. So, out of 300ml per week that constitutes only 1.5ml of fertilizer (again, given our ridiculous assumption that the concentration is 10ml/2000ml) So, in order for the miracle grow to pose a "phosphate problem"...your system would need to export less than 1.5ml worth of phosphate per week. I guarantee I put more phosphates into my tank in one pellet feeding than I do in a month of phyto feedings. (Given that were not considering phyto as a phosphate source).

10/08/2011, 06:02 AM	#31
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	I got this stuff from Premium Aquatics I think: ...it comes as 2 species in 2 separate bottles for like $15 ... ...and I've set up like this: I suspect the "nano" is still viable as it seems to be getting darker...the "T" (whatever that is) started lighter but remains so ... my understanding is the culture is lighter anyway, but I dunno