Phytoplankton culture

[Apetty32]

I'm about to start a culture of phytoplankton but I'm getting mixed information a lot of people are saying to use the F2 formula from aqua farms in Florida but I've also seen that using miracle Gro works just as well now I don't want to add anything to this that's going to kill everything or kill everything in my tank I've been doing a lot of research before actually receiving my disk of phytoplankton but everything is from like 2005. What are you guys's experiences and helpful tips I'm using a 6500 Kelvin light 21 L bottles and probably three to do the culturing and splitting the rigid airline tubing to go in the actual bottle the airline tubing to go to the air pump and I'm receiving my culture soon mixing all that with salt water at around 1.019 salinity now what should I add in to feed?

Benifits of f/2 formula from aqua farms over mirical gro?
Cons of using mirical gro vs. the f/2?

[rcmania]

Im also starting into this. In fact my batch will be here tomorrow. Im using miracle grow for mine with lots of lights and bubbles. other than that it sounds like your on the same page as me. good luck

[Apetty32]

Keep me updated with your success and failures.. I'll be posting pictures throughout the process.. How much miracle gro do you use for what size vessel?

[drywall_guy87]

Sounds cool how much money will you be saving in the long run

[Apetty32]

I am going to attempt to start with my DT's Phytoplankton and see how that goes but if i get it to work it is going to be saving me about $30+ per month. I can deffinatly see how it is worth it. Do you have any pictures of your setup?

[rcmania]

well i got my order today. I ordered my plankton off of ebay. its a little weak but think it will do the trick. Also Apetty i came across this video which im going to copy his method. it may help you also. My only issue is that i purchase my salt water and its at 1.022. of course its recommended that you use sg of 1.019. Not sure how im going to work around this just yet but i plan on setting up the station tomorrow.

[rcmania]

forgot to post link


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb8Q0...eature=related

[Apetty32]

Please send me the link to that video so I can see it. Also just add small amounts of
Water to the saltwater to lower the salinity. I have an extra refractometer if u want it

[Apetty32]

That is the exact same link that I have been following this entire time as well it's a great link and I'm praying that it works

[rcmania]

dude i need one bad, ill buy it off of ya.

[rcmania]

well, i started mine today, ill let ya know how it turns out. i also attempting rotifers and copepods

[Apetty32]

Ya I'm going to be starting copepoda an Rotifers too after my culture starts up. PM me and I can get it sent over to you. After our cultures start up and all we can help eachother out with that too if a culture dies

[antbreon]

i watched that vid a while back...did a trial run before i got everything going worked out fine that way ..need to fined a good strt culture..and get it up again now that my tank is up..

[rcmania]

pm sent Apetty

[mudcat1]

Apetty32 and Rcmania,
I was so intrigued by this thread and the youtube video provided that I started my culture tonight. I used DT's Phytoplankton and Miracle Gro. I am assuming that the container can remain room temperature. I plan on running the first batch for 1 week. How do you know when the culture is ready to split? Did you find any information will help you determine if the culture is successful? I don't want to put anything harmful into my tank.

[rcmania]

Hey mudcat and welcome to the club. Yes room temperature is fine, that's whats great about this. No expensive lights or tanks. Just a couple of clip on lights and some air. As for when its ready, look at the color. The darker it is the more concentrated it is. If it doesn't get darker then I assume that's what they call it a crash and I would start over. DTs I think would be a good starter, I started from a non brand name so we shall see. right now June has the color of mellow yellow under the light, I'm aiming for DTs dark dark green color. Keep us up to date on how its working.

[mudcat1]

I think I added too much DT's to start the culture because mine is already pretty dark. I will dilute it more when I start the next batch.

[antbreon]

it doest take long in 2 weeks i had more than i knew what to do with..

[rcmania]

Mudcat, next batch just top it off with ro water and then split it in half, fill those two up and repeat. I only put 3ml of miracle gro in my 2 little bottle. after a few splits and im on my way then im going to upgrade to 1 gallon jugs.

Antbreon, my lfs is wanting to buy some from me. You could always check with them and maybe get some store credit.

[rocking]

rc just got a grate bach from my start from dr foster it looks realy good and the test looks good too that i have done i will let you know more when its done

[NirvanaFan]

I use Micro Algae Grow from Florida Aqua Farms. The stuff is made specifically for phytoplankton. Miracle Grow contains trace amounts of stuff that we like to keep out of our tank (like copper). It will probably take a real long time to build up, but it's not something I would add considering the cost of f/2.

The large bottle of f/2 I got from FAF lasted me a long time. By starting with DTs, you don't really know what type of phyto your culture will become either. More than likely, one of the stronger strains of phyto (like nannochloropsis) will become dominant, and the others that reproduce as fast will die off. If that is something that doesn't matter to you, then it's not a big deal.

Rotifers are easy. Just keep the water tinted with phyto and make sure to not let them get too high of a concentration without food. If they crash, do a large water change (leave the muck in the bottom of the tank, there are cysts in it), and feed them. It will take a little bit, but the cysts will hatch and your culture will pick back up.

[Devaji108]

nice thread guys.
how much do you really need? I guess it's tank dependent. so how much do you does your tank with? I really like the idea of growing my coral food.
I would like to use a gallon glass gar or is the to big to much to fast? I guess I could use any glass gar I don't like to use plastic.

parts list:
air pump what's the best to go with?
container to grow it in.
micro algae food form FAF
and starter
am I missing something?

[rocking]

start off with a soda bottle and then go up to ur glass jar

[rocking]

i go throw 4 gal a week in my tanks but i am running 5000 gals and i am going light on it

[stormrider27]

How long does the phyto stay "fresh" in the fridge?