How do I start a Phyto culture with DT's?

[ezhoops]

Anthony,
just wondering if was possible to start a phyto culture with Dt's? if so, how? I've read about some ways in J.WIlkerson's "Clownfish" but really need more info. I'm just looking for a way to save a couple of bucks on DT's and still keep my clams and corals happy.
thanks

 

[TippyToeX]

Your corals will get little to nothing from DT's phyto. Most are meaty food eaters. Clams and other filter feeders will love it.

The old DT's use to be only one species of phytoplankton, if you were able to get it very fresh you could use it for live cultureing. The new DT's has three species of phytoplankton. Those species will compete with each other.

It's so easy and cheap to start up your own culture! Florida Aqua Farms has all you would need. Here is how you would go about it.. Growing Phytoplanktons at home. Along with these links.

 

[ezhoops]

I primarily concerned with feeding my clams. Thanks for the info, will this be good enough to feed to my clams.

 

[ronc98]

I use DT a as a starter. Just follow the same steps but substitue the DTs. If you need any help pm me.

R

 

[ezhoops]

was thinking of adding a few drops of selcon to my final finished and bottled phtyoplankton, would that be a good idea? I've heard that others have added things with no harm to the culture.

also, anyone know of any sources for large clear plastic containers for culturing phytoplankton (like 5 gallon size) I know some people use water cooler jugs.

 

[ronc98]

I do not think you will get the same effect adding Selcon to your phytoplankton. To the best of my knowledge they will not consume it.

I think you would be better off soaking your food in it, or adding it to Baby brine shrimp before you add them to the tank.

water cooler jugs work good for larger reactors. However keep in mind you will need a much bigger pump to keep things mixed up. I would suggest using more 2 gallon jugs. Easier to switch out and just a lot easier to handle.

 

[Snarkys]

i always thought you couldn't start a culture with DT's

 

[Randall_James]

DT's is a combination of planktons, you can start a culture with it but it will become a "monoculture" as one plankton consumes the other.

Growing plankton (green water) is easy, growing GOOD plankton is not. I have tried this and it just is not worth the work and trouble to me so I purchase it instead.

 

[Snarkys]

can i ask how you knew yours was not any good ?

 

[Randall_James]

did not say it was "No good" just that it was not worth all the trouble to grow good quality.

The process to grow "good" phyto is rather more involved than just dropping air hoses into coke bottles and splitting cultures in half ever week or so.
Sterilizing equipment, metering nutrient, protecting cultures from contamination, condensing cultures to up quality, making sure nutrient is depleted and removed before using are just a few of the concerns and issues for growing high grade phyto.

I just found it easier to budget .25-.50 cents a day to use a commercially produced product (one you can not make at home anyway without 3 sets of cultures and centrifuges) was much practical for myself.

I know many that grow their own and do just fine so I am not saying it can not be done, but I know you can not grow a comparable product to DT's. for .50 cents a day

As far as starting a culture from DT's, simple to do , just dump some in your starter bottles, you will have 3 strains in one bottle and in a short time the Nannochlorpois will take over and the other 2 strains will dissappear forever.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

Dont use DT's if you want a quality culture, they will compete agianst eachother and you will have a gret big mess. If your going to bother cultureing it do it right. Florida Aqua Cultures are the way to go.

Growing good pytho doesnt cost much other then your time.

Some tips to make a culture alot better would be,

-RO/DI and UV sterilize all cuture water
-Sterilize all culture bottles after use or use disposable vessals
-Sterilize everything else, tubing gang valve airstone ect.
-Use disposable airstones, dont bother with the ones you can clean
-Dont bother with continous cultures I think you should grow a given amount (say a months worth) store it in a fridge and when starting another culture sterilize everything.
-after pytho is cultured use a micron filter to make the culture more dense

And filter feeders along with soft corals (not all) will consume pytho not just filterfeeders. Pytho will also make your sponge population go crazy (if your a sponge lover like me this is good news)

 

[Randall_James]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7321242#post7321242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnewbie54321
Dont use DT's if you want a quality culture, they will compete agianst eachother and you will have a gret big mess.

And with that post I hit "Unsubscribe" :rollface: :lol:

 

[UrbanSage]

I have had good success with my phyto, I seeded it with DT's.
Tank has shown an increase in featherdusters and good growth in corals..... More info on my site.

 

[slow_leak]

Simply follow the guilliards recipe. Aquatic-Eco.com sells a Kent Marine formulation that works well. Something like 2.5 ml Part A and 2.5 mls Part B. I just bubble air into a glass carboy outside with no lights at about 50f at night and 70c at day. Grows like crazy , add a blind pinch of baking soda and it grows some more.

I feed this to rotifers at about 1.020 specific gravity. I use the new DT's get the culture started.