who cultures phytoplankton? (1 Viewer)

[AggieBrandon]

Alright is there anyone who is growing phyto that can sell me some phyto and f/2 that is available to meet up sometime this weekend? I would like to get this project started asap. Any help is greatly appreciated

thanks.

B

 

[AggieBrandon]

For those of you that culture your own phytoplankton, what amount of f/2 fertilizer do you use for each culture? I think Florida Aqua Farms recommends 1 ml per 2 liter bottle. However I have read where some people use up to 5 ml per 2 liter bottle. So what amount are you guys using here with good success?

B

 

[Trey]

Hello Brandon,

I use 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) for a two liter bottle. It works for me.

Later,
Trey

 

[AggieBrandon]

Thanks Trey. What did you use when you started your culture? Did you innoculate with a liquid culture from someone else or did you start with the culture disks?

B

 

[Trey]

I have done both in the past, but my current culture was started from a culture disk. If you are starting from live culture from Corbett, you should be in good shape.

Later,
Trey

 

[Cakepro]

Hey Trey, I still have those culture disks and fertilizer and all that stuff from Florida Aqua Farms to give you if you want some new stuff. They've been kept cool and dark but I would imagine they need to be used really soon. I have a vial of rotifers too.

 

[troypham]

Trey, is it hard to start from a culture disk. i'm gonna start a culture in the next few weeks and want to get an idea.

 

[troypham]

http://www.sjwilson.net/reef/phytosteps.html

 

[AggieBrandon]

I started from the disk and it worked just fine. I used the disk to make one 2 Liter bottle and then after it matured I split that culture into my current setup. Here are some pictures of my setup.

 

[BrianPlankis]

Looking good Brandon! Good to see another source of phyto in Houston.

Brian

 

[troypham]

Brandon, how big is your air pump?

 

[AggieBrandon]

Thanks Brian. I use quite a bit in my tank since I have several clams. I have really seen an explosion in feather dusters, worms, and other small critters. Feeding the bottom of the food chain definitely produces good results for the rest. I regret not doing this sooner.

B

 

[AggieBrandon]

troypham,

I am using the Rena Air 400 on my phyto culture. It has plenty of power. I had the pump lying around from a previous freshwater fish breeding setup. On the brine shrimp hatcheries I am using a wal-mart aqua culture brand pump that was about 10 bucks. It works fairly well too.

B

 

[troypham]

thanks Brandon.

i'm gonna go pick up the stuff to set up the phyto culture today. didn't know how big of a pump i needed to get.

 

[troypham]

what everyones opinion on starting a culture with DT's?

i picked up all the equipment to start the process, but no culture media. but i can get DT's. i've heard you can start a culture with it. but i'm not sure how well it will work.

 

[BrianPlankis]

what everyones opinion on starting a culture with DT's?

i picked up all the equipment to start the process, but no culture media. but i can get DT's. i've heard you can start a culture with it. but i'm not sure how well it will work.

I've read it is considerably harder to start and maintain a culture with DT's, but that it has been done. I can't find the source where I read that though, sorry.

Brian

 

[AggieBrandon]

DT's is now a mixture of three different types of phytoplankton, Nano, Iso, and Tetra. If you start the culture with DT's, you won't know what culture you end up with. One type will outcompete the others. Your best bet is to buy a culture disk or get a starter culture from someone that is culturing phyto.

B

 

[troypham]

thanks for the info. i'm gonna try to make contact with someone at the UTML and see if i can get a starter culture from them.

i'm gonna order a culter from florida aqua farm tomarrow.

 

[AggieBrandon]

cool deal

 

[troypham]

hey Brandon,

i was look'n at Melev's page

http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html

and he talks about straining the mixture.

do you know what he's straining and why? do you stain yours before you feed.

he also use a liquid mirical-grow u can get from wal mart.