Phytoplankton culture

[mudcat1]

Originally Posted by NirvanaFan

There really isn't a problem with using DTs to start, but eventually you'll probably end up with one algae. One kind will outcompete the others for food and light. So, eventually, you won't be culturing DTs anymore, you'll be culturing something else.

I agree with NirvanaFan, from my observation the culture that I started from DT's turns very dark green when the phytoplanton is multiplying, but after I refrigerate it for use, it turns much lighter than refrigerated DTs which remains very dark. I would compare the color of my refrigerated culture to Kent Marine PhytoPlex which is light green.

[dunedinplankton]

hello all i would like to jump in and ask i have been culturing phyto for quite some time and i would love to see some results...if you are culturing nano, what would be say your ending levels also does anyone have a density measurer? (just curious)
Phosphates
Nirtrates
Ammonia

[dunedinplankton]

also if you want a dt's style phyto just blend it once its harvested so when you split cultures just take a 1/4 of each instead of 1/2 and wahlah dt's lol or generic form of dt's...also what is everyone's light cycle, i leave mine on 24hrs seem to burn up the f2 fertilizer faster if i dont give them a break...and another question always like to pick peoples brains lol how many ppl are using miracle grow and how many are using micro algae grow/f2 ? and if you have the possibility to do a phosphate, nitrate, ammonia test what are your values after the week growout right before you culture...

[nrbelk]

I picked up some Miracle Gro liquid all purpose plant food and it says concentrated. There wasn't an non concentrated version available at the store I went to. Is this the right stuff? If so, how much do I use per gallon?

Thanks

[nrbelk]

I picked up some Miracle Gro liquid all purpose plant food and it says concentrated. There wasn't an non concentrated version available at the store I went to. Is this the right stuff? If so, how much do I use per gallon?

Thanks

[NirvanaFan]

duneidplankton,
I'll see if I can remember to measure the density I harvest nanno later. I've read that you should give photosynthetic things a dark period, but if you have good luck with running lights 24/7, don't change anything. I tend to run the lights 15 on and 9 off.

I don't even test kits for anything you mentioned, so I can't take those measurements.

I use Micro Algae Grow from Florida Aqua Farms, and recommend people do the same, but some people do choose Miracle-Gro and have success.

[nrbelk]

I'm going to go with a pure strain from Florida Aqua Farms.

Which species should I go with? Nanochloropsus, Tetraselmis or Isocrysis?

[NirvanaFan]

nannochloropsis tends to be the most forgiving and what most people recommend to people. Tetra, c-iso, and t-iso are very common though.

[nrbelk]

I have successfully raised a culture of phyto to the point where I could split it.

However, because it is in a cooler location that recommended, I believe that it is taking longer for it to get to the proper cell density so I can't go off of the days to harvest.

Would someone post a picture of their phyto that is harvested (or ready to harvest) so I know how dark green I should wait for before harvesting?

Thanks

[GreshamH]

Originally Posted by NirvanaFan

I've read that you should give photosynthetic things a dark period,

Yup, but in this case it can be as small as a nano-second (even the flicker of an LED and be considered a dark period if long enough)

[rocking]

mine is doing grate i have 30 gal of it right now ready to be split and will be feeding everything the way that i want to . and some exter to be able to sale to someone eles

[Waggs]

Originally Posted by rcmania

Here is my single bottle, maybe you can tell me how it looks Nirvana

What happened to the photos?

[nrbelk]

No pictures of phyto that is ready to harvest?

[rcmania]

sorry, i been working a lot, ill get a picture up as soon as i can.

[nrbelk]

No problem, thanks for the help! I just think I am harvesting mine too early and want to verify with pictures of other cultures that are ready to harvest.

[flyguy1821]

Here are some pics of my cultures. First pic is just after a split. This one was split using 1/3 of a container I believe, gave a start away.

I followed Melev's write-up on his website.
http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html
Nanochloropsis from Florida Aqua Farms
Miracle Grow
Essential Elements

I was using this for Rots and breeding clowns. Have stopped those two but still have my Phyto going. I have only had 1 crash in a years time frame, definitely due to Rots and trying to cut corners and grabbed the wrong baster.

My phyto gets super dark, like DTs, in about a week. Not sure if it is due to the little station I have which allows light on all sides?

Love the containers though. Walmart water jugs for $1. For giggles, check the TDS on the water before you discard it, its super high. I dont use the water in the jugs, just fresh RO/DI.

[Waggs]

Ok, Where is everyone getting their culture to star with and what did you order? Next I want to do Rotifers and brine shrimp.

[flyguy1821]

Originally Posted by Waggs

Ok, Where is everyone getting their culture to star with and what did you order? Next I want to do Rotifers and brine shrimp.

Copied and paste from Melev's. I did Miracle Grow but also included the product for FAF version.

STEP 1 - Phyto starter disks and fertilizer

Go to www.florida-aqua-farms.com and place an order for:

two 2oz nanochloropsis disks (product number AA-NCP)
one 8.5oz bottle of micro algae grow (product number FA-MIS)

[Waggs]

Originally Posted by flyguy1821

Copied and paste from Melev's. I did Miracle Grow but also included the product for FAF version.

STEP 1 - Phyto starter disks and fertilizer

Go to www.florida-aqua-farms.com and place an order for:

two 2oz nanochloropsis disks (product number AA-NCP)
one 8.5oz bottle of micro algae grow (product number FA-MIS)

Thanks for the info. My wife has a lot of the liquid Miracle Grow around here and I have read that it is just as good.

[tsiklauss]

I started my bottles two days ago and they havent gotten any darker. I also didnt add any miracle grow or other fertalizer. Is this normal grow rate for non fertalized cultures? Is fertalizer nessesary for growth? I thought I had read that it was optional.

[tsiklauss]

Any one? I came home today and my bottles no longer have a green tint at all....

[Waggs]

Look in the bottom, It may have all settles there.

[Darth Vedder]

I have 16 liters that I started from culture disks, and feed micro algea grow and I harvest half from each Erlenmyer flask every Friday. It's very dark by Friday and measures 20-22 million cells per ml with a density stick from Florida aqua farms

I bottle it and my LFS sells it, and I use or give away the rest

[tsiklauss]

There is a picture of my current set up. Do I have enough light? Also I rushed in and didn't sanitize my containers before use. I only rinsed them out very well with hot water. Do I need to boil the new salt water I mix for the two liters to sanitize it?
I apologize for all the questions, but I am excited about culturing rotifers and want to start raising my clown fry.

[Darth Vedder]

That is probably enough light.

Here is my setup, all 6500K bulbs



They are on 16 hours and off for 8