Phytoplankton

[bklynreef]

I will start making my own phytoplankton since it's getting too expensive to keep purchasing it. Now the question, I've seen people making it and adding a couple of miligrams of miricle grow to the concoction. Other add another type of grow Substance to it. I'd like to know if anyone here makes it and if they ever heard of using miracle grow since that s the lowest price and most easily available source for it. I'm using the plastic soda bottles with holes drilled in to the cap with air line tubing to the bottom. Lighting it for 18 hrs and darkness for 6 as recommended. Chime in all you phyto people.

 

[andylee]

I used to make it when I had a larger tank. I added miracle grow (pre-mixed, random, small amount). Just don't add too much. I guess the theory would be to allow all the nitrates, phosphates, etc be used by the plankton so you don't wind up adding any free (unbound) nutrients to the tank.

 

[andylee]

Oh yeah,
I also kept the lights on 24X7.

 

[bklynreef]

I only heard of the lighting period being 18/6

 

[bklynreef]

Salinity to make would be 1.019 with rodi water at 75 ish degrees.