phytoplankton culture precipitate

[beaniebeagle]

my phyto cultures have a yellowish precipitate that resettles shortly after shaking, but the culture itself remains a nice green color and doesn't look like it's crashing. It's been like that for over a week. Should I remove this preciptate or just leave it alone??

 

[billsreef]

Probably some dead phyto cells that are settling out. I'd leave it alone. At a little over week, it will be time to split and restart the culture anyway.

 

[beaniebeagle]

but there is a distinct ammonia smell, quite strong. so i removed the precipitate. wonder if the ammonia causes these cultures to crash

 

[billsreef]

Ammonia smell? What are you using to fertilize the culture, and how much?

 

[beaniebeagle]

did the 5cc's of miracle grow and one cc of kent's essentials, I followed melevreef's instructions

 

[billsreef]

Some proper phytoplankton nutrients (aka Guillards f/2) works much better than miracle grow. It's not expensive or hard to get either. The miracle grow thing really isn't a good substitute by any stretch. I'd suggest picking up some Micro Algae Grow from Florida Aqua Farms. It is a modified Guillards that is designed specifically for culturing phytoplankton. Stick to using Miracle Grow on tomatoes, like it is designed for Your cultures will thank you, and so will what your feeding those cultures to

 

[beaniebeagle]

I will follow that advice. Thanks