Dr. G's Phytoplankton

[ripped tide]

So, I was in a store the other day, and a sales rep came in from Dr. G's. He brought in a microscope and a sample of their phyto. When you look through the scope, you see all kinds of life darting around and moving everywhere. We put some DT's on the slide and there was no movement. Has anyone tried the Dr. G's product? Seems like it would be some good stuff. They also sell live rotifers.

Has anyone used it?

If so what did ya think?

 

[superclown]

What store? Unfamiliar with the brand but was the dts refrigerated when this was done?

 

[ripped tide]

The DT's sample had set until room temp. It was at the Aviarium in duluth. I think it is a new company. So far, they are mainly in FL.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Dr. Gs has been around for years. Let em ask this- why are you dosing phyto? And under what circumstance does "moving" phyto mena its better than "non moving" phyto? I am just curious.

 

[ripped tide]

jmaneyapanda;628534 wrote: Dr. Gs has been around for years. Let em ask this- why are you dosing phyto? And under what circumstance does "moving" phyto mena its better than "non moving" phyto? I am just curious.

More or less, i just wanted to hear what others thought of the product. If there was any accelerated growth or polyp extension. Just looking to learn. I have a small clam that i just picked up from Rit, and i need to start adding phyto. I've used DT's before, and it seems like i got diatom out breaks. So maybe if the Dr. G's is more consumed, i could avoid excess algae.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Mass Kreation;628538 wrote: More or less, i just wanted to hear what others thought of the product. If there was any accelerated growth or polyp extension. Just looking to learn. I have a small clam that i just picked up from Rit, and i need to start adding phyto. I've used DT's before, and it seems like i got diatom out breaks. So maybe if the Dr. G's is more consumed, i could avoid excess algae.

I didnt mean to sound judgmental. Im sorry if I came across that way. I, too, was hoping for conversation.

First and foremost, small clams <u>DO NOT</u></em> need any supplemental feeding. That is an old aquarist tale that has been proliferated, and disproven by science. Small clams get everything they need, and then some, from photosynthetic activity in their mantle. All clams filter feed, and unless HEAVILY stocked with clams, no supplemental feedings are needed</em>.

In terms of DR. G's, while I have no real life experience, I remember hearing very poor things about them, second hand. That they cause significant and heavy bacterial blooms. IMO, phyto feeding is realistically unnecessary in reef tank. Just my opinion.

 

[ripped tide]

jmaneyapanda;628557 wrote: I didnt mean to sound judgmental. Im sorry if I came across that way. I, too, was hoping for conversation.

First and foremost, small clams <u>DO NOT</u></em> need any supplemental feeding. That is an old aquarist tale that has been proliferated, and disproven by science. Small clams get everything they need, and then some, from photosynthetic activity in their mantle. All clams filter feed, and unless HEAVILY stocked with clams, no supplemental feedings are needed</em>.

In terms of DR. G's, while I have no real life experience, I remember hearing very poor things about them, second hand. That they cause significant and heavy bacterial blooms. IMO, phyto feeding is realistically unnecessary in reef tank. Just my opinion.

This is good information to know. Most folks say that you 'have to dose phyto if you have a clam.' He(the clam) seems to be happy as a... clam. I guess the catch phrase fits.

I'd rather not have to add extra waste into my tank. If its not broke, don't fix it!

 

[superclown]

I had a clam for a few months and I actually noticed growth in the clam with no dosing to attribute other than my water changes not sure if salinity benefited it any or not but your average trace elements should do the job I would imagine

 

[ripped tide]

So, unless i have non-photosynthetic corals(which i don't) , i shouldn't need to dose any phyto, right? Its funny how 'over-marketed' phyto products are if they have little to no benefits. I guess it would boost pod populations, but i am swarmed as it is.

 

[acroholic]

Dr G's has been approved for ARC Sponsorship and we will hopefully have their Sponsor Forum up within the next few days.

 

[lifestudent]

Eric Borneman has written <u>a lot</em></u> about http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/eb/index.php">what corals consume</a> (click the link).

Phyto should preferably be fed to live plankton (rotifers and copepods) in a refugium that then is plumbed to your display system to feed your corals and fish. This way the plankton can grow and reproduce in the refugium without predation.