[Adam J]

Does anyone here feed phyto to their reef tank?If so, how much and how often?

[unclejed]

Yes I feed phyto, I use Coral frenzy (a dry form you mix) and I was using DTs live but am trying a more concentrated live phyto called Phyto feast by Reef Nutrition. I feed the live 3 to 1 over the dry (personal preference) and I feed 2 times a week.

[Krazy]

I used to feed phyto heavily. I dont feed it at all now.

I honestly dont see a difference.

[Blackjack2359]

Depending on the size of your tank, you should probably put in a tablespoon twice a week. Be careful not to put in too much, as it could encouage alge growth. If you forget to put it in once or twice, it will not starve your corals.

[unclejed]

Hey Krazy, maybe not seeing a difference means the corals are staying healthy?

[e_baer]

I also have used and stoppped. As Krazy said, there was no difference. IMO it all depends on the tpye of coral you have.

[WILLIAM1]

What kind of corals krazy and ebear?

[e_baer]

polyps, leathers, a brain, frogspawn, gorgonians....

[demonsquirt]

Coral get very little from this but bacteria and pods do benefit from it.
Coral like small meaty bits much better , like cyclops.

I use 1 capfull atleast one time a week.

[unclejed]

Originally Posted by demonsquirt

Coral get very little from this but bacteria and pods do benefit from it.
Coral like small meaty bits much better , like cyclops.

I use 1 cap full at least one time a week.

I think this statement is a little ambiguous. Many coral are "filter" feeders, thus they filter the minuscule phyto plankton as is found in the ocean.

[Krazy]

My tank still flourishs without the use of phyto now, I also run a 57watt aqua u/v.

The best thing about stoppin phyto for me was not having to clean the front glass every day, I only have to do it once a week now and even then, its not to to bad.

[charlesr1958]

I know of no corals that actualy consume phytoplankton, its dosage into a system should be for copepods, amphipods and a host of other animals that through their feeding & breeding will feed the corals. I drip dose live phyto that I culture outside at a rate of 2 liters over a 24 hour period every other day, then once a week I run a skimmer for eight hours while the tank's lights are on so as not to remove any night time critters (pods).
If one wishes to have a functional ecosystem, one must provide the basis of the food chain (phyto) or short cut it by directly feeding the meatier foods (prepared or not).

Chuck

[Krazy]

Phyto reproduces itself within the system.

I have more pods then one could ask for.

I think with a smaller system, you would want to dose phyto still.

[unclejed]

Taken from an artical;What is a Coral anyway?

Corals are invertebrates that are in symbiosis with an algae (phylums: chlorophyta, rhodophyta, or phaeophyta) or a dinoflagellate (phylum: dinophyta)--that means they exchange nutrients or other services with one another in order for both to survive better. They are of the phylum cnidaria and therefore have an alternation of generations during their life cycle (this cycle alternates from a polyp to medusa stage). However, the class anthozoa's medusa stage is absent and once they fix themselves in one place, they become sessile. They only move during their developing stages. To obtain food, corals filter feed.

[charlesr1958]

I would have to disagree with the term "filter feed". To me that implies having body parts that screen out food particles, such as a feather duster worm or a sponge/clam. Prey capture is a better (correct) descriptive term for how corals obtain food outside of their symbiotic relationships.

Chuck

[demonsquirt]

Well put. And another reason for good water circulation. This would give coral better chance to capture food. And by food i mean small meaty bits like cyclops or similar.

Originally Posted by charlesr1958

I would have to disagree with the term "filter feed". To me that implies having body parts that screen out food particles, such as a feather duster worm or a sponge/clam. Prey capture is a better (correct) descriptive term for how corals obtain food outside of their symbiotic relationships.

Chuck

[unclejed]

Hey Charles, just for debate, you have contradicted your statement; "I know of no corals that actually consume phytoplankton". If they "capture" phyto they do consume them!

[demonsquirt]

I think if you add plankton in the morning as the coral re expand with water and plankton is present then they will get some. But this isnt what they need for health. Its the food chain. Plankton being toward the bottom feeding others like pods and worms. But i myself still havent found any coral that need ot for survival. But the critters that do only help with the health of your eco system.

Originally Posted by unclejed

Hey Charles, just for debate, you have contradicted your statement; "I know of no corals that actually consume phytoplankton". If they "capture" phyto they do consume them!