outdoor phyto culture?

[jhawkor]

Has anyone ever tried filling like a small child's swimming pool with synthetic saltwater adding some sort of Bio filtration and airation then adding a hardy strain of phytoplankton and see if it multiplies? Were I live the phyto would need to withstand temps anywhere from 72-88 farenheight during the summer. If that's too hot I could try it during the spring. I would use some sort of cover for night and during rain.

 

[mstwell]

Sounds interesting. Why don't you try it and let the rest of us know how it works out?

 

[jhawkor]

Sounds interesting. Why don't you try it and let the rest of us know how it works out?

Ill have to wait until spring as it's pretty cold here this time of year.

 

[Octoshark]

It sounds like it would be VERY vulnerable to contamination being in a small swimming pool outside. All kinds of other stuff could grow in it, which isn't a good thing.

 

[CLINTOS]

you're better off doing it indoors imo

what will you be using phyto 4? and how much weekly are you planning on using?

 

[captstinky]

There is some good reading online regarding this. If I run across a link I'll post it. Some certain do/dont's as for contamination. why not check into spirulina powder as a fresh phyto subsitute? It's cheap enough if you shop around health food stores, or online.

I thought about trying outdoor culture tanks a few years back, but ended up the dried spirulina works for me, with much less hassle. But I am doing mostly LPs, and the spirulina is more to maintain populations of 'pods in my tank.

 

[KarlBob]

Baby pools with glass covers, maybe? Or those new-fangled above-ground pools with inflatable sides...

I don't think it would work too well in the Phoenix area, at least not during the summer. Algae that grow happily at 70 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit probably wouldn't be very lively at 118F.

 

[Agu]

Friend of mine grows phyto in 5 gallon water bottles outside in Florida. He keeps them in the shade so they're at air temp. But he has a coral farm with about 3,000 gallons of corals. Don't know why the average reefer couldn't grow enough phyto on a window sill in a couple of gallon bottles.

jmo,