Travis L. Stevens
New member
I don't know if you got it already or not, but feel free to drop by my place and pick up a bottle of Nannochloris if you want a starter culture.
Phyto
- Thread starter Matrexz
- Start date
Travis L. Stevens
New member
I'll have some waiting whenever you show up. You'll still have to find some F/2 though. I only have a smidge left.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
It may be Prat-meister, I don't know anything bout the chemistry of it all, I just know what I've read on the subject. The majority of infor I read (and all seems to originate from the same sources) claim to use 1ml per 2L bottle or 2ml per gallon if making the culture medium up in bulk. I make up 5 gallons at a time, but don't add fertilizer until I'm ready to fill the 2L up.
fwiw, I've tried using 1ml, 2ml, 4ml, 5ml per 2l bottle before, never saw any differences. I may need to try using less and see what happens.
Prater
New member
I was just reading the formula directions on the bottle. It states 10ml per 75.6 liters(20 gallons) of Part A and Part B. I tried my math skills at this one. So 5 gallons should be 2.5ML according to the directions on the F/2 bottles. But that would be a starting point. I guess its another one of those trial and error experiences...
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papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
aaahhhh, you are using a 2-part F/2 formula. I have the liquid and I do know that the measurments seem different on the two. I would definatly worry about using too much fertilizer. It does add heavy metals and other "reef contaiminants" that if the phyto has not used up the majority to all the fert you'd be just stickin' this stuff in the tank. If you use more fert, I'd possible allow more culture time. 1ml per 1L bottle = 10 days (roughly)
jpitts101
New member
i also use 1 ml per 2 liter. im no pro but wont the phyto eat the f2 in time? so say your phyto is mature at 5 days cant you wait 7-10 days just to let your phyto take in all the fertilizer. my phyto usually is at the 2 cm mark at 5 days but dont split untill the 7-10 day mark ( generally due to me being lazy )
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
Once the culture reaches optimal density (only so many cells can fit in the same amount of space) the culture will quickly crash afterwards. If you say it's mature at 5 days, then I would not let it go longer. I agree though, mine does seem to be around 2cm at the 5 day mark. Once it hits 2cm I go ahead and split it, maybe a day or two later, due to me being lazy as well. May wanna try letting a bottle go, to see how long it'll last without further fert additions.
jpitts101
New member
i may do that, i think i have done everything but that. how long have you had your longest going? i've tried different bubble rates and lighting but havent let my cultures go too long without spliting. i've even split in fourths instead of halfs just to see how long it takes to get back to 2 cm. hmmmmmmmmmm
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
My longest is stil going right now, was due on the 12th so only a smide over so far. Ask travis about his "crashed" cultures that made a full recovery. They went alot longer than any of mine and came back to full density with almost complete neglect, LOL.
I've split in 1/3rds and 1/2's, but both seem to take same amount of time to reach split densisty.
I've split in 1/3rds and 1/2's, but both seem to take same amount of time to reach split densisty.
jpitts101
New member
does anyone use 1ml of kent's essential elements like melev does? he also show's to be useing tap water? anyone ? i've used reefbuilder on accident without any harm but not kents essential elements. i was just wondering what good it does if any and why they are useing it if their cultures are fine without it.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
Personally, and this is just my opinion and common sense telling me, but I would not add anything like that to my cultures. It's adding trace elements, some of which are not even needed. The F/2 fertilizer is all the phyto needs to culture succesfully. In fact, reports have shown than any alterations to the F/2 forumula, additons or subtractions have shown noticable decrease in effectiveness. I forget where I read that at, may have been FAF.
Why add something it doesn't need? i agree, I think Meleve was trying to make it better for the tank, but he also uses miracle grow for his cultures, another no-no in my book. Too many heavy metals that won't be used and just added to the tank. Might as well just stick tap water in the tank instead of RO while we're at it
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Why add something it doesn't need? i agree, I think Meleve was trying to make it better for the tank, but he also uses miracle grow for his cultures, another no-no in my book. Too many heavy metals that won't be used and just added to the tank. Might as well just stick tap water in the tank instead of RO while we're at it
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jpitts101
New member
i agree, it still stumps me to why he or anyone does that if their cultures are fine in the first place? and why use tap water for your cultures?? and miracle grow? well i cant say much about miracle grow i did try it but i never fed it to my tank i just wanted to see how hard it was going to be to culture.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
In theory, If I didn't know what I do now about the hobby, I may have tried adding Kent supplements or Seachem supps to the mix, but I now know the F/2 is "perfect" to a degree. Best macro/micro algae growth formula available on the market.
You don't go to Jack in the Box and mess with the "special onion mayo sauce" do ya? Heck no, it's good just the way it is!
As for miracle grow, common sense should have told him otherwise there. Terra plants are going to be soooooo different than micro algae. In fact, all higher order plants will be different than micro or macro. It's like using a butter knife when you need a fladblade screwdriver. sure it'll work at times, but not the right tool for the job.
You don't go to Jack in the Box and mess with the "special onion mayo sauce" do ya? Heck no, it's good just the way it is!
As for miracle grow, common sense should have told him otherwise there. Terra plants are going to be soooooo different than micro algae. In fact, all higher order plants will be different than micro or macro. It's like using a butter knife when you need a fladblade screwdriver. sure it'll work at times, but not the right tool for the job.
jpitts101
New member
have you ever seen this one adam?? should we get it?? i dont know anything about it so i thought i would ask a pro first ( you ) let me know!
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Liter-34-oz-L...DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180077304537
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Liter-34-oz-L...DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180077304537
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
It appears to be a DT's style bottle, as in there are several strains added, not just one. If you get it to culture, may not get the intended strain to culture. But sounds good, I'm unfamiliar with that particular type of protist and would need to do further research. I wouldn't mind having a red strain in the culture station for added color
