DTs Phytoplankton

[storrsms]

Anone have any experience with this food, and/or any recommendations? My LFS people said they had better luck with 1/2 the amount and 1/2 as often for the recommended instructions on the bottle. Any input, especially longterm experience with this will be greatly appreciated-Thanks.

Mark

[BrianH]

I've been using it for about 12 months and am very pleased. I use the recommended dosage because I use it mainly to feed my clams and I want to make sure they have enough food. So far my clams have grown about 150% per year. I can't say that the DT's is the only reason why, but I'm sure it is a major reason. I have also seen a large growth in my populations of feather dusters, pods and sponges.

Brian

[mogurnda]

I think I'll try it again, now that they have included larger phyto species in the mix. It only used to be Nanochloropsis, which is too small for most suspension feeders to handle, so I used two Reed Mariculture products, Tahition blend and Post-Set Formula.

As far as how much, the big question is what are you trying to feed? My tank is full of filter feeders, so I use more than the recommended amount, but you can probably get by with less if it's just a supplement for photosynthetic corals.

[g. mcclean]

We have been using this product since we added the 2 red non-photosynthetic gorgonia to our 46 gallon. We also have some "show tank" live rock with multiple feather dusters and other critters of this variety. I use 3 teaspoons once or twice a day and all seem to be happy with that. Our LFS has been asking customers of this product if they are happy with it and the opinion seems to be "yes".

[mogurnda]

One problem I have with trying to figure out if my filter feeders are happy is that they don't show stress very obviously. I've had some turkey wing arks and oysters that came in on the live rock for 1.5 years, and I am just wondering if they are starving slowly. They open, they extend siphons, but are they happy? Some have died, and there's no obvious growth, so there may be something missing.

The point is that invertebrates have slow metabolisms, and may appear to be fine, even if they haven't eaten in months.

[storrsms]

Thanks for the info- g mcclean, do you have any algae outbreaks using 2-3 tsps once or twice a day? I know that (at least with the older formula, two people at my LFS said they quit using because of the algae that th DT's "caused", and this is why one more person said they dose half as much half as often.

It seems that both of you(morgunda & g mcclean) are using more than the directions say, with no detrimental effects- and I understand that the bioload is a big factor in how much/how often to feed, clean(H2O changes) and/or add supplements if you use them. Again thanks for your help.

Mark

[gcvt]

My only complaint about DT's Phyto is the high cost. I have a lot of filter feeders so I dose phyto often and in slightly higher quantities than normal. Now I have my own phyto culture station in a hallway closet and I never have to pay for DT's again! :)

Check out this site: http://www.sjwilson.net/reef. In Susan's navigation menu, click on "Phytoplankton Culture" and give that a read-though. I set up a station similar to hers, but I only use 2-3 bottles at a time as I don't need extra phyto to feed a rotifer culture like Susan is doing.

This is one of the cheapest and easiest things I've ever done for my reef tank, and I'm saving a LOT of cash that I can spend on more corals :)

[g. mcclean]

storrsms, in answer to your question regarding phytoplankton:
The way I read the directions, they suggest 2TBS per 100 gallons. 1 TBS is 3 tspoons, (unless I have forgotten my Home Ec classes) so that is where I got the 3 tsps. They suggest starting with every other day and gradually increasing. I have not had a problem with algae except for cyano which improved when I increased my water movement. By the way I am dosing a 46 gallon hence my decision to cut the dose in half. I have a large cleanup crew which would probably keep algae under control.. I do wonder if the phytoplankton may be adding to my nitrates however because I can't seem to get it below 20ppm.

[storrsms]

g mcclean- I should have been a little more specific in my question, but thanks for the response. I have just recently started using DTs, and like gcvt I think the cost is high. I am going to check out the article he recommends, but may end up using the DTs because of other constraints.

I guess I didn't remember all of the directions on the DTs bottle, that's why I was wondering about the amount and frequency of your dosing for a 46g. Keep on Reefin'

Mark