Kent Marine: PhytoPlex

[Playdope]

Anyone have good success with Kent Marine: PytoPlex?

I've got a frogspawn, xenia, star polyps, candy cane, and a new open brain, and I figured it was time to start adding some phytoplankton. I was going to get DT's, but they only had the larger size container in stock, and I didn't want it to go bad, so the guy at the LFS recommended some PhytoPlex. Is this stuff pretty good? Is DT's much better.. if so, why?

Thanks for input.

 

[danmhippo]

It's no comparison to DT.

 

[Playdope]

Why is that? What has drawn you to that conclusion?

 

[danmhippo]

If you are interested in live plankton product, live plankton needs to be refrigerated to diminish it's activity. Even when refrigerated, it has a limited shelf life. Phytoplex on the other hand does not need to be refrigerated, you can pick one up at shelf at room temperature. I simply do not believe it contains live phytoplankton.

Not implying dead phytoplankton is no good, but if you do not mind if it's dead or alive, then you get more out of your money by making online orders for frozen concentrated phytoplankton paste. Less sugarwater for your tank to fuel algae growth if you use the frozen product.

 

[Playdope]

So, the Kent product fuels algae growth? I will go back to the LFS and get the DT's if its a much better choice. The main reason I got the Kent stuff was because it doesn't seem to have a shelf life like the DT, and because I only have 5 corals now in my 100 gal, I thought the DTs would go bad.

 

[Juck]

I've got a frogspawn, xenia, star polyps, candy cane, and a new open brain.

Would any of those corals benefit directly from phyto?

 

[Playdope]

Are you asking me or telling me? I'm not sure.

 

[danmhippo]

Phytoplankton mostly are for SPS, filter feeders, and some gorgonians. Other corals with "big mouth" need more meaty foods such bits of shrimp/fish and such.

 

[Tackett]

How long can DT keep in the fridge for? Ive had mine in for about 3 weeks now.

 

[Juck]

Are you asking me or telling me? I'm not sure.

lol,, I was asking,, I dunno.

They're all big-mouth/big tentacle compared to say, an acro,,,, I don't know how/if they could feed on something as small as phyto,,,, though I'm sure they would benefit indirectly from the phyto supporting the bugs etc. that they can eat.

 

[Playdope]

Ended up swapping the PhytoPlex at the LFS for some DT's.

Does DT's always last as long as the date written on the bottle (assuming it's refrigerated)?

Thanks

 

[danmhippo]

We assume it will. Or you could let us know by investing in a microscope first.

 

[sokol1312]

why dont you grow your own phyto? it is easy
and so many benefits from it, i have been doing it for months now and noticed excelent growth of corals , pods, and mysys in my tank.
after adding live phyto for a while it becomes dominant algea in your system and all bad algea are gone from your sistem.
check this site
www.reefcrew.com

 

[SnowManSnow]

There is an expiration date on my DT's container.

 

[danmhippo]

From DT's official site:

Refrigerated DT's performed equally well for up to 4 months. At 6 months there was a slight but significant decrease in larval growth rates. Our "best if used by" date is based on a 5 month shelf life from the date of harvest. Larvae cultured on DT's that was left at room temperature for several days had a rapid decline in health and died after just 8 days.