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who cultures phytoplankton? (1 Viewer)

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AggieBrandon

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Hello all. I'm looking to start culturing my own phytoplankton. I have read quite a bit of information and feel that I am ready to start a culture up. I think I am going to follow the directions on Marc's (melev) website by starting with a culture aquired from someone and then using the miracle gro liquid fertilizer. My question is if you culture your own phyto, what method have you found works the best for you? How did you start your culture (culture disk or fresh phyto)? What fertilizer are you using? And when can I get a bottle from you to start my culture :)

Thanks for any information you can provide. Advice, Tips, and Tricks would be great.

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BrianPlankis

Brandon,

I would try to find time to talk to Rusalka on here, he has been constantly culturing phyto for some time now.

Brian
 
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AggieBrandon

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Yeah I was hoping he would see the thread and reply as well as anyone else who is culturing phyto. If I don't get many replies I will start PM'ing people :) If that doesn't work then I'll order some culture disks and give it a shot.

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landfish

AggieBrandon said:
Anyone know where I can find some rigid airline tubing and 6500K normal fluorescent bulbs?

I know you can find the rigid airline tubing at Global and CP. I have seen 6500K CF at CP and I think global has them as well.... You can find 65K spiral florescent bulbs at walmart and at HD

As far at photo goes Rusalka it the man to talk to. I am growing nano right now. I just started growing phyto. I was growing nano tetra and another one that I can not remember the name of. Nano is the easiest to grow. The other 2 cultures that I had going crashed. I am using the fertilizer you get at Florida aqua farms.aqua farm The light I am using in a spiral florescent 65K bulbs I bought at walmart. I would give you more advice but I am just figuring out what to do myself
 
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AggieBrandon

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Thanks John and Corbett. I think I am going to use 2 foot fluorescent bulbs instead of the spiral compact fluorescent bulbs unless it is better to use the spiral ones. It seems that most people that grow phyto are just using the algae plates from florida aqua farms of nanochloropsus and not using tetraselmis and isocrysis. If I read correctly, tetraselmis and isocrysis are only necessary if you are going to culture artemia or rotifers. I guess if you can start a culture of all three mixed together then you have all your bases covered. Not sure if problems will develop from the mixture though. Might cause premature crashing. I guess on my next trip to Houston I will pick up the latex airline tubing, rigid tubing, and the gang valve. I think I have a good air pump here to use. Thanks again.

Looking forward to reading your input Corbett.

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AggieBrandon

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Yeah I miswrote (long night at work and lack of sleep :)). I think what I was reading is that the person was culturing the three species seperately and then when they were mature, he was mixing them in one bottle and feeding that way.

I think my primary focus is going to be on culturing nanochloropsus and maybe try a culture of tetraselmis down the road.

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AggieBrandon

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Thanks leaf...if you happen to have the product code or part number I would appreciate it :) If not I'll just have to go browse until I find them :)

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landfish

Yea I have seen 65K regular bulbs T8 and T12 as well. Look for the plant light bulbs or anything labeled as Natural Sunlight as it will be 65K
 

mxmisl

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Brandon-
Home depot sells flor tube which are 6500K; GE F40DX, if you look in their flor tube section you'll just need to read the spec sheets.
As for rigid airline tubing, all th eLFS i frequent sell it in 3 ft sections.
Did you read this article on raising phytos?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/breeder.htm

I'm not a big fan of miracle grow, yes it does work, but it contains IMO unacceptable levels of copper and other yucky metals, which by the way accumulate in the phyto.
You can buy a qt of F/2 and it will last you forever
frank
 
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AggieBrandon

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Thanks Frank. I think I have read that article but I will double check it again later. Thanks for the bulb number. I will go ahead and order the F/2 when I order my culture plates then. Hopefully I will be able to make it into Houston this weekend to pick up the rest of the necessary supplies. Thanks again.

Brandon
 
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AggieBrandon

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Corbett,

Could that be shipped to me or would we be able to meet up anytime soon. I live out in the middle of nowhere :) Send me a PM if you get a chance with price and your availability to meet up. I am hoping to start this up on my days off (Sunday and Monday). I would imagine if it were sent via USPS priority mail it would get to me the next day since we are fairly close. If not I can head into Houston just about any afternoon just don't want to lol.

Thanks.

Brandon
 
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Brandon, If you can wait a week, I can get the stuff from corbett and bring it to you. I have been wanting to culture also and would be interested in getting starter stuff from you Corbett. I will be out of town this weekend, but back on Tuesday. I have my pod tank up and churning, but am using much more phyto than I thought I would. these guys can eat.

Jen
 
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AggieBrandon

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Hey Jen thanks for the offer :) I'll see what Corbett says on meeting up. If he is available before then I can just make the trip. I have to get other parts anyway. I still need the latex air tubing and the rigid tubing as well as the light bulbs. Living out in the middle of nowhere sucks when it comes to getting hardware and other supplies lol. Hopefully we can both get our projects off the ground soon :)

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Guest

F/2 media works amazing. I used to work for The University of Texas in the Zooplankton Research Lab and that is what we used for almost every phyto that was raised. You can actually make your own from the componant chemicals, but it lasts forever anyway ulnless you are growing by the gallon.
 
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