Darn BioPlankton!

[deskjockey]

Has anyone else had a cyano bloom when using Bioplankton? This has happened to me twice back to back. The first time was 3 months ago. It finally cleared, I waited three weeks and purchased a whole new bottle kept it in a new freezer (to make sure) and quess what? It happened again. Its driving me freakin nuts! Is this stuff not alive like DT's? Maybe I just got a bad batch?

 

[Len]

I'd reduce dosage. No, this stuff is not live. It's cyropreserved phyto (3 cultures). It has nearly as much nutritional value as DTs when first introduced, but since it's dead, what's left over fouls the water much more quickly. So try reducing dosage first, and if that doesn't work for you, go back to DT. I stopped dosing both (mainly due to laziness 8O )

 

[Pat Brady]

I've had the same problem. After introducing Bioplankton, I've been battling a major algae problem. Once I get the algae under control, I'm switching back to DT's.

I would cut dosage way down or cease adding Bioplankton althogether.

 

[deskjockey]

Yeah I stopped after I noticed the cyano. It sucks too because for the money it lasts longer then DT's

 

[Anonymous]

I started using DT lately and have noticed better color in some of my SPS.

I also notice that one sponge filter in the sump seems to clog if not cleaned at least one a week. A couple of times in the last month the sump has backed up so that the water went over the dam in lieu of through the sponge filter. It must be the DT's since nothing else has changed in my routine or equipment. Weird!

Bottle is running low so I have to decide if it is worth it to continue using DT's.

Louey

 

[deskjockey]

6 months ago I completely removed all sponges from my sump and since then I have noticed a big difference (I do still have one in my hang-on overflow and that I do clean once a week). But without the filter bag and sponges I notice less unwanted algae (besides the cyano breakout) although it could be because of my fug as well. I just thought I would see how things went, because to me after a while of being in there they become no different then bio-balls. At least thats my opinion :?

 

[Anonymous]

True, if you don't clean them regularly, they prolly should be removed. I do like how clean the water is. The Lifereef sump is built so that all water must go thru two sponges before it makes it back to the return. I was completely sponge-free before I got the Lifereef sump. I really like the clear water and don't really mind cleaning the filters, though sometimes I let it slide a few days to long.

Louey

 

[danmhippo]

The concentrated phyto product is very easy to overdose. Whatever left unutilized (eaten) will decompose quickly and became available for nuiance algae. If you have habits of overdosing the phytoplankton products, or do not measure and follow the instructions precisely, you should either reduce dosage or not use them at all. It will do more harm then goods to your tank.

Live phytoplankton is the only product that will not pollute the tank overdosed. The only live phyto source that I can think off other than culture your own, is the DT's.