DT Live Marine Phytoplankton Advice

Looking for some advice from folks using this. First how well is it working with your corals? 2nd, do you all turn off your pumps and skimmer during dosing? I would think the skimmer at least and if so how long do you leave the devices off? It seems the DTMP hangs in the water for a bit of time so I was wondering if folks at least put their pumps on to disperse the Phytoplankton? Also how often do you feed? I do not have clams, but have approx. 10-12 different pieces of coral in a 65 gal RSM 250....Will this stuff cause more algae outbreak chances?

Also, do any of you target feed each coral with this as well with a turkey baster type? Just trying best understand feeding with the DTMP. Thanks!

Vic

 

I turn off main pump and skimmer then dose with dt's ph's stay on. I keep main pump off for about 1 hour then turn them all back on after that. I also dose after lights are out, and no I don't target feed

 

Thanks fishermen...How often do you feed? I know the instructions state every other day? Is this a bit much with 10-12 corals in my tank? I worry about algae outbreaks? Thanks!

 

I'm not very familiar with feeding phyto unless you have a specific filter feeder like a clam or gorgonian so I looked into it a little bit. Here is probably more info than you want to know about phyto. Sorry no first-hand experience hopefully this helps a little.
Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - View Document

Just be careful, I believe it's pretty easy to overdose phyto and just start adding a ton of nutrients to the tank that don't get utilized by the coral.

 

I only dose two times a week some times only once a week

 

what do you have in your tank?

 

Good question and great answer(link) ! Thanks Guys

 

Please list all of your corals. Very few directly ingest phyto....most of them feed off zooplankton, dissolved organics, and bacterioplankton.

They can feed off it indirectly. I.e. the phyto feeds the zooplankton and bacterioplankton which can then feed the corals.

You are correct. Too much phyto will definitely cause and algae bloom

 

Thanks for the link! This was a VERY good article and it was interesting Rob mentioned this about over feeding. "Live phytoplankton is obviously the best option in terms of nutritional value and low risk of over-feeding." With that said, I still would not start dumping loads of DT into my tank. The directions call out every other day feeding with 2tbs per 100gal every other day while slowly increasing the dose to double the amount for clams and large amounts of corals in ones tank. Guess that is why I am trying to get some experience from others here.

 

Here is my list.....

Aussie Elegance
Malaysia Torch
Plate Coral
Red Acan Aussie Brain
Green Aussie Pagoda Cup
Mushroom Rock Rhodactis
Red Srolling Montipcora (Hodgson)
Colony Polyp Rocks (4 large pieces)
FHI Montipora (Altasepta)
Stylophora
Aussie Trumpet (5"-6" cluster)
Encrusting Rock Montipora
Yellow Devils finger 9" leather
Green Finger Leather 9"
Purple Cabbage