Need Help with large volume phytoplankton culturing

[djkms]

Hello all,

I have a guy who wants to start doing phytoplankton dosing for his 700 gallon reef. I am currently culturing nanno and tetra in 2 liters for my 125 but 2 liters are not gonna cut it for a 700 gallon system.

I recall seeing a picture somewhere here where the person was culturing phyto in 5 gallon buckets. Is it as simple as adding phyto from my 2 liters until the bucket is half full then adding fresh saltwater, micro algae grow, placing a couple lights over it and putting in rigid tubing and tumbling the water?

My current cultures with 2 liters are going great. I split every Saturday. I use RO/DI water with reef crystals salt with a SG of 1.020 and 1ml of micro algae grow. Lights are on 16 hours. Average density is 2cm for both the nanno and tetra.

Any other thoughts or a step by step process would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[mwilliams62]

Need help with large volume phytoplankton culturing

Need help with large volume phytoplankton culturing

Hi Kris I am tagging along on this one I want to learn to but for me the small one will do. Also what is a nanno and tetra that you are growing???

Mary:wave:

 

[djkms]

Here you go Mary, this should get you started on what you need to know for culturing phytoplanktons

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/8/breeder

http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html

 

[billsreef]

Haven't tried using buckets, but clear plastic 5 gallon water cooler jugs work very well for culturing phyto. A good dense 2L culture will be perfect to inoculate one of those 5 gallon jugs. Usually takes about 7 to 10 days to reach peak density with a double bulb shop light set up.

 

[djkms]

Thanks Bill, do you know of a place I can purchase those? Link appreciated

I found this, should work yeah? Its light blue but light can still pass through it...
http://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Reusable-Polycarbonate-Water-Bottle/dp/B000U7Z0IU

 

[billsreef]

I scavenge them

The blue isn't a problem, but that handle is. You want one without a handle, as the handle will be a bear to clean.

Here's a clear one from a homebrew supply store I use for brew supplies. This is the style you want, though you might be able to find something suitable for phyto a bit cheaper with some looking.

 

[djkms]

I was just thinking of something Bill. When I culture I throw away the 2 liters which are culturing Nanno due to the caking in the dimple areas on the bottom of the bottle. Not sure if this would effect the culture after continuous use but I have tried to bleach it out and its still there the next day. Not sure what is causing the caking (I assume its settled cells that the bubbles aren't moving) but I dont get the same thing with my Tetra cultures, only Nanno.

I was thinking of going glass carboy's to help solve this unless you think it might be a non issue, just dont want to drop $25 per vessel per culture.

 

[billsreef]

I was just thinking of something Bill. When I culture I throw away the 2 liters which are culturing Nanno due to the caking in the dimple areas on the bottom of the bottle. Not sure if this would effect the culture after continuous use but I have tried to bleach it out and its still there the next day. Not sure what is causing the caking (I assume its settled cells that the bubbles aren't moving) but I dont get the same thing with my Tetra cultures, only Nanno.

I was thinking of going glass carboy's to help solve this unless you think it might be a non issue, just dont want to drop $25 per vessel per culture.

Yes is typically dead cells settling into the dimples, and sometimes also live cells floccing together and settling due to the currents caused by those dimples. Doesn't happen as much with flat bottom culture containers. Even with the dimples, it can be cleaned. I usually soak in dish detergent for a few days. After this most will come out with just a good shaking and rinsing. Residuals can be removed with a 10% HCL rinse. The HCL is readily available from the hardware store under the name Muriatic Acid as a paint stripper. The soda bottles I replace after a few uses, but my plastic carboys have years of use on them