Phyto-cultures

[papagimp]

After several months of inability to culture my own phytoplankton using the cheapest methods I could think of, I've finally broke down and ordered some starter cultures, fertilizers, and the lot. I'll be attempting to culture two strains: Nannochloris and Tetraselmis. My tank is still young and I havn't invested in alot of filter feeders yet so I'm sure if this works I'll have an abundance of phyto. If I have more success with this stuff I'll be sure to let ya'll know. Reef-on!

 

[captbunzo]

Please keep us up to date. And pics, man! We need PICS!!!

 

[papagimp]

Camera man! I need a CAMERA!!! =O)

Oh well, I guess i could use crayons, lol

 

[captbunzo]

Crayons would be fun..... (Whoops, wandered off topic again...)

 

[papagimp]

funny how that happens here....alot!

 

[papagimp]

Okay, I placed my order from Florida-aqua-farms and they have yet to respond to my order, confirmation, anything, won't even return a single email asking about my order. Does anybody know of another site that sells microalgea fertilizer and/or starter cultures? Everywhere I look says to order from these people but I just don't think they want my business.

 

[Wildstar1063]

Did you try phoning or faxing? they list the following contact numbers on the web site:

Phone: 352-567-0226
Fax: 352-567-3742

Chuck E.

 

[Wildstar1063]

BTW,

Have you seen this method of culturing?

http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/phyto.shtml

I was thinking about trying it and using DT's as a start

Chuck E.

 

[papagimp]

I've tried using DT's (after reading that site) and I never been able to get a culture to last longer than a few days without crashing. DT's has a couple types of microalgea in it, and they'll compete. If a culture stabalizes, you'll end up with one or the other type of micro. Plus, I don't think DT's stays as fresh as they claim.
And I finally heard back from florida-aqua-farms.com, they were very apologetic for taking so long to get back to me, said they've been backed up and whatnot, so my cultures should be here this week. WHOO HOO!

 

[captbunzo]

Cool...

 

[Wildstar1063]

Glad to hear they got back to you.

Are you going to stick with the Phyto? or are you going to
culture rotifers as well?

Chuck

 

[papagimp]

I'm planning on culturing the phyto for now. If all goes well with that I may attempt rotifiers later on, I would like a nice mysis culture going but seeing how I can't keep brine shrimp alive I didn't want to attempt them just yet. If my phyto cultures flourish I will be using an extra 10g I have to get a nice pod culture going though, I have so many in the fuge that I don't think getting a starter culture will be hard.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Would you mind starting a log (with pictures) for this? I'll be starting a culture station soon, too. I'm still in the process of planning though. Will you be culturing L Strain or S Strain Phytoplankton?

 

[papagimp]

hmmm, don't know, what's difference between L or S strain? I ordered Nanochloropsus & Tetraselmis. Didn't state L or S strain.
As far as a log goes, still no camera here. I did find some nice DIY plans for a culture station, I'll try to get someone with a camera to come over and take photos once I get the culture station matierials purchased and my phyto arrives. If anyone is interested heres the site I ordered from: https://3kserver7.com/~frank/secure/agora.cgi?cart_id=689789.5357*rH7sK2&product=LIVE_CULTURES

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Well, no worries if you can't get pictures then. But do tell us how it goes.

AFAIK, the difference in the strains is nutritional value.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I'm dumb!! L and S Strains are Rotifers not Phytoplankton. Ignore me, but do a log if possible

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Hey Adam, I thought that you might like this.

http://reefcentral.com/library/instant_algae.php

 

[papagimp]

Nice Travis, that will come in handy, looks like I picked a couple good strains as well.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Well, if you have a LOT of time on your hands, you might want to read up on all the links and the thread itself in the link below. I printed them off because I've already spent too much time already this morning reading

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135137

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

You know, Adam. I think we need to take up a simple collection so we can get you a cheapo digital camera. Just something that can get the pictures to the computer.