Plankton Substitute..?

Good stuff J! Thanks!

 

I use Instant Algae from Reed Mariculture thats cryo-preserved and HIGHLY concentrated. You can view his site and numerous products here:

http://www.reed-mariculture.com/aquarium/index.htm

I used to use Tahaitian Blend (made by Reed Mariculture) from Brine Shrimp Direct. They sell many larval feeds and food for adult fish as well. They're site can be viewed here.

http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/brineshrimpproduct4.htm#tahitian

Matt mentioned Cyclop Eeze which is manufactured by Argent. I've been using the freeze dried Cyclop Eeze for 3/4 year with INSANE results. I finally found a non-live food that Mandarin Gobies LOVE. You can view they're site here:

http://www.argent-labs.com

You can purchase the frozen Cyclop eeze here:

http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/FISH_FOODS_/Cyclop-eeze_FROZEN/cyclop-eeze_frozen.html

 

Awesome sites, thanks Gresh!

 

Color me stupid, I forgot to mention Liquid Life USA's product, BioPlankton.  Its quite similiar to Instant Algae in the sense that they are both a freezeable version (cryopreserved).  You can view his site at www.liquidlifeusa.com .  Custom Aquatics sells it here: http://customaquatics.com/customaquatic/listcatbrand.asp?CatID=fo&brandID=LF

I have been given many samples of BioPlankton in the past, and loved every one of them (exceleent results - 3 year flame scallops to attest as well as feather dusters up tha wazoo).  I have tried over 10 brands now of phtyoplankton now (I won 4x at a coral conference, each with 2 bottles) and I've really only liked Instant Algae and BioPlankton.  You only add a few drops as opposed to 1/4 cups and what not.  I haven't tried DT's newer version, but it still is alive (can lead to blooms) and not even close to the cell counts of Bioplankton or Instant Algae.

 

Should zooplankton be feed at night?
I feed D.T.'s but not zoo what is a good brand of zooplankton?

 

My LFS recommends phytoplankton during the day and zooplankton at night. This is supposed to replicate what happens in nature (phytoplankton more prevalent when the sun is shinning down). Though if you really think about it, zoo and phytoplankton should be around 24-7 in the water column in the wild.

There's a whole mess of zooplankton substitutes out there, from purified harvested types to fully synthetic protein molecules/polymers. Then there are also in tank hatcheries for artemia, etc.

Right now, I'm using Marine Snow (for no particular reason) and things seem fine. We just hatched our first batch of artemia on the side; we'll probably start in-tank or in-sump production sometime in the near future.

 

can u raise your own phytoplankton in a refuge.

 

I raise brine shrimp to adults for gut loading whatever I want to feed to my tanks.
In the process of learning what I needed to know, I found that the cysts are loaded with bacteria that can be a potential threat to your tank systems.
My recommendation would be NOT to use "in tank hatcheries" as this would allow tank water to be contaminated by the hatching water.
Where the brine naplii can go, the bacteria can go also.
RAISING BRINE SHRIMP

 

You can try growing your own phytoplankton:

http://www.sjwilson.net/reef/phytosteps.html