How much coral?

Phytoplankton is suppose to be microscopic algae which is inside the coral polyps (zooxanthellae). Why would phytoplankton be sold to the reef hobby if the corals do not use them?

 

Here is a researched article about the benefits of phytoplankton.
http://www-ce.stanford.edu/faculty/monismith/Genin_et_al2002.pdf

 

Phytoplankton is more for filter feeding inverts such as porcelain crabs, shrimp and also gorgonians.

 

Mandarin you should wait about 2-3 weeks between adding fishes. Also i would get some hardy corals at first (zoanthids,Palys,Leathers,some LPS etc..) Like that you get your feet wet and get experience in caring for the corals.If not you run the risk of having them die and that can be costly.

I would also get rid of the caulerpa. I think they can go asexual. And spread spores to your tank.

Just my opinion.

 

Thanks IBM! I'm looking at trying some zoos pretty soon here. I was going to get some a week ago,but my tank had different ideas, so I'm going to wait until it's feeling better. (algae bloom):

My caulerpa is dying anyways in the fuge. Anyone know any good cheap fuge lights? It's built out of a standard 10 gallon tank. Thanks.

 

Coralife has some neat and cheap refug lights.

 

It doesnt have to be fancy basically any light will work.

 

Filter feeders such as feather dusters, clams, sponges or bivalves and ZooPlankton eats Phytoplankton. There are also hundreds of different Phyto and Zoo Plankton types all beneficial to aquariums. But SPS corals do not directly eat phytoplankton

J

 

Caulerpa will not grow asexual if you keep a reverse lighting cycle on it. I just went to lowes and bought a clip on flood light and a standard grow light bulb and my caulerpa is growing like mad.
If you are wanting some corals you should check out Tangster at AAT. He has some nice stuff at reasonable prices.

 

Agreed. Phyto does, however, feed your amhipods, copepods and mysid shrimp and their (larval) spawn can, in turn, feed your sps