Phytoplankton - Photosynthesis
Phytoplankton contains chlorophylls that capture sunlight or for our purposes our LEDs/T5s/etc., and then the phytoplankton uses photosynthesis to turn it into chemical energy (all phytoplankton species photosynthesize). This is where depending on the strain the fats, aminos, vitamins, lipids, etc are made! This is why the strain matters. They consume carbon dioxide and then in turn release oxygen. In the oceans phytoplankton is responsible for creating 50-70% of the world’s oxygen supply!
They need nutrients like phosphates and nitrates, some even need silicates (diatom species), and calcium (how much is heavily dependent on the species). They even need trace elements like iron. A number of other factors influence how much and well they grow such as salinity, water depth (how far from the light they are) wind (flow), and what grazes on them (fish, corals, inverts, zooplankton).
This is why the strain(s) you dose matters! They are not all created equally, and largely they do different things especially green vs brown/gold or vs reds.
They need nutrients like phosphates and nitrates, some even need silicates (diatom species), and calcium (how much is heavily dependent on the species). They even need trace elements like iron. A number of other factors influence how much and well they grow such as salinity, water depth (how far from the light they are) wind (flow), and what grazes on them (fish, corals, inverts, zooplankton).
This is why the strain(s) you dose matters! They are not all created equally, and largely they do different things especially green vs brown/gold or vs reds.
