Diatom Culture

[mwcf]

Hello All.
I posted the following in the Aquaculture forum a few days ago but haven't gotten any replies so far. Maybe someone here can help me out.
The plan is to raise lots and lots of little copepods. My research so far tells me that they prefer diatoms. I know that if I start a new tank with fresh substrate I'll have plenty for a while but... what's the right way to do this?

Thanks.
MWCF



Does anyone have any links to info on diatom culture?
A step by step guide, culture techniques, nutrients, source for innoculants etc...

 

[iCam]

I would think that live phytoplankton would make a good food for pods.

 

[RicksReefs]

here ya go

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/breeder2.htm

 

[spawner]

What kinda of Copepods are you wanting to cutlure? I can get you culture info and starters for a few species of diatoms, very easy to culture.

 

[kmk2307]

Spawner, I would be interested in information on culturing diatoms for food, also. What species are you growing?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[mwcf]

Thanks for the links and the info.
I've been getting most of my information from The Plankton Culture Manual by Hoff and Snell.
I have plenty of Nannochloropsis but according to The PCM, diatoms may be a prefered food source for most copepods.

As for species of copepods, I guess I don't know yet. I thought I'd siphon a few out of my refugium. I don't have the microscope yet for indentifying them.
Reed Mariculture has Tigriopus californicus and Harpacticoids.

As for species of diatoms...
Spawner,
I'd be interested in any further information you might have.

Thanks,
mwcf