Phyto/zoo Plankton

[sacramonel]

I've always kind of wondered this but neve really looked into it. Where does the Phyto/zoo plankton my filter feeders eat come from? I have a refugium with chaeto but i'm not sure if that is helping. I don't add any phyto/zoo, and my filter feeders are doing well so they have to be there.

Can anyone answer. I know it sounds stupid.

 

[ox5477]

There were prob plankton young or spores? (not sure how they reproduce exactly) in your sand or LR when you bought them and with the right conditions, they flourish. All phyto needs is light, and the zooplankton eats the phyto

 

[SkiFletch]

Filter feeders will also pickup little chunks of food that float around the aquarium to suppliment their diet