Phytoplankton

[westiemarble]

Having read the internet I understand that Phytoplankton is live micro algae and is used in aquariums as a food supplement for marine corals and large feather dusters.
What I'm unsure of is its benefits, if any, to a FOWLR system with the usual inverts.
Can it actually be bad for such a system? Can it cause an ammonia spike, i.e can the use of it with fish food overload the tank bio-system?
If Phytoplankton is 'live' and Marine Snow is 'dead' why are they different and what differing purpose does each serve?

Sorry, if this is a daft question but I'm new!!

Cheers

 

[SkiFletch]

Not necessary at all for a FOWLR. Phyto is used to feed things like corals, featherdusters, and other filter feeders. Using it in a freshwater tank will likely only attribute to raised nitrates/phosphates as the phyto will get trapped in filtration, die, decompose, and produce nitrate/phosphate. As for the difference between phyto and marine snow, the theory goes that some organisms prefer marine snow over phyto. But since no real research exists here, nobody can proove it one way or the other.

 

[Colin_T]

phytoplankton is also used to feed zooplankton, which in turn is fed to baby marine fish. Most adult fish don't touch it so it should not be used in a fish only tank.
If the phytoplankton is alive and grows in the tank it won't cause any problems besides making the water go green. However, it usually crashes/ dies after a while and then it creates water quality issues as it breaks down. Adding a small amount to a tank shouldn't cause any real problems but it isn't really needed.
Marine Snow contains zooplankton and phytoplankton. Most containers of Marine Snow say the organisms inside are alive but most of them are not. Often there are some rotifer cysts and algae spores that are dormant and can become active but the quantity that is alive/ dormant is minimal and doesn't make much difference.

 

[westiemarble]

Thanks guys.