Anyone Culture Phyto? Have Tips/Starter Samples?

[Dtip]

I've been planning to start culturing (phyto and pod) for some time now, but I've finally gotten the time and basic materials together. I was just wondering if anyone here cultures, and if so, what, and whether I can get some starter samples (otherwise I'll just order some).

My plan is pretty standard: have four 2L bottles with aeration and light at varying stages of culture growth.

Fertilizer: not really wanting to buy commercial Micro grow or raw materials to make the f/2 fertilizer, I was thinking about just using Miracle Grow plant food + Kent's essential elements. Miracle Grow has trace amounts of chelated iron and so forth which worry me a bit (since I can't afford/don't test for these), but plenty of people seem to use it without ill effects. I'm interested if anyone here has any experience with using this, or any opinion on it.

I was also wondering if anyone around here (I'm on the East side) has a running phytoculture that I can buy/get a sample of to start my own culture with. I'd rather use a single strain than use live DTs (the mixed formula). If I can't get any locally, I'll just order some disks.

Eventually, once I have the phyto running, I'll start culturing copepods, at which point club folks are welcome to have some as needed. I know we have at least one local person who cultures pods, who's had some good advice on how to start things up and keep them going.

 

[Charliegirl2u]

I have tried phyto three times starting with DT's and it crashed on me every time so if you have to order some let me know and I'll split shipping with you or we can just start it together

 

[Dtip]

I've heard that the most recent DT formula is much worse for getting cultures started. I'm going to try some of the local fish stores (which may culture) and see if anyone on the boards has some starter cultures, but if that doesn't pan out, definately.

How many bottles did you have going: did they all crash at once?

 

[Charliegirl2u]

I just started one and it crashed, then another and another, with the DTs and the last two times it crashed after one day, and at 7 bucks a pop so that was 21 bucks wasted and I decided to wait till I could get a good culture from someone who was successful or until I ordered the starter culture from florida farms

 

[JordanJ]

<font size="1" color="#0000FF">Your post is in violation of the <a href="/agreement.php">terms and conditions of use</a> of this web site and has been edited. Further violations will result in revocation of your posting privileges.</font>

 

[mike660r]

The starter cultures are the way to go if you want to be successful at this. Make sure you get there algea grow food too. It's easy once you have the culture.

 

[Dtip]

No real luck with local stores. Unless someone else pops up who cultures locally, what sorts of species are you looking to culture? And is there anyone else interested in splitting an order?

I was planning on just using plant food plus essential minerals. The contents on miracle grow look relatively benign in comparison to the standard f2 formula: at worst missing some stuff rather than having anything dangerous.