Culturing Phytoplankton out o freeze-dried phyto?

[chrisbenavides]

I read a statement at seahorse.org's library that read: Purchase an "algae disk", available from several online retailers. These disks contain freeze-dried phytoplankton cultures and are easy to use per the manufacturer's instructions...(to start a culture)....

I don't know how much possible that is....but if so, how?

 

[ReefNutPA]

Chris, you're taking that statement a bit out of context The entire article tells you how to correctly start/keep a phyto culture using LIVE phyto. The sentence you reference is at the bottom of the article giving advice on what to do if all else fails. When the article was written two years ago, it may have been believed by the young author who wrote the article that some of the products on the market at the time actually did what they claimed.

As far as I know, you cannot use dead algae cells to start a live phyto culture. However, stranger things have happened so I will defer to the higher powers on this one for a definite yes or no.

Tom

 

[mikeatjac]

I believe only GOD can bring the dead back to life. The dried in freeze-dried is the key.

 

[chrisbenavides]

good statement

Can algae cells stay dorminant till they are hydrated (like brine shrimp)....maybe this is possible (though I myself doubt it).

 

[hydroid]

Alage disks are a common way to transport starter cultures, and are way cheaper than mailing cultures in water.

They work great for starting cultures but take a little longer. I doubt seriously they are freeze dried though.

 

[chrisbenavides]

Where can I get the algae disk at a good price?

Where can I get the algae disk at a good price?

I see. If you know a good place to get the algae disks...let me know....in the mean time I'll look around. Thanks!!!

** Has anyone here successfully cultured phytoplankton out of these wafers?

I found this site: http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html and it recommended FloridaAquaFarms.com to purchase the algae disk. I don't think this site is up anymore. Where can I get the algae disk at a good price?

 

[hydroid]

Try these:

Sachs

Florida Aqua Farms

 

[Kathy55g]

FAF has disks of microalgae cultured on agar plates. They are not dried, and are very much alive. Live cultures can be cultured from them, and I have done it. I do not do it the way Melev, who is a very nice and well informed person, does it. I followed the directions on the disk.

I also bleach sterilize my saltwater and bottles and tubing, dechlorinating right before I fertilize and innoculate. Without that, I could not grow phytoplankton. With that, my phyto is bulletproof.


Kathy