Copepods and Phyto - for Dummies

[mocha 75]

I see both live cultures of phytoplankton and big-brand bottles of phytoplankton (think Seachem, Brightwell).

If I want to add copepods, does it matter if I use live vs. bottled? Sure culturing live seems ideal, but the idea of having it in a bottle to gently dose once or twice a week is also appealing.

 

[JTP424]

Not the EXACT answer you're looking for... but live phytoplankton should be viable for a few weeks if kept in a fridge, give it a shake every day or so and open the cap to get some oxygen swap.

 

[X-37B]

I use esv dried phyto. Works well and is simple to use.
I only dose 2-3 scoops in my 150 once a week. It recommends 1 scoop per 15g's daily. I have never got close to those numbers though.
I dose less in my other 5 systems.

 

[N8]

I see both live cultures of phytoplankton and big-brand bottles of phytoplankton (think Seachem, Brightwell).

If I want to add copepods, does it matter if I use live vs. bottled? Sure culturing live seems ideal, but the idea of having it in a bottle to gently dose once or twice a week is also appealing.

It should not matter much

 

[N8]

You can also use food grade spirulina powder as well, but I would definitely stick to a phyto

 

[mocha 75]

You can also use food grade spirulina powder as well, but I would definitely stick to a phyto

I might do both because I'm at the stage of reef keeping where you develop a deep paranoia about doing the wrong thing and destroying your tank, so instead you over buy and over due everything to play it safe.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I'm at the stage of reef keeping where you develop a deep paranoia about doing the wrong thing and destroying your tank

So this is just a stage I'm going through?

 

[mocha 75]

So this is just a stage I'm going through?

Yes. It's just the stage can last for awhile. Maybe 10 years.