Phytoplankton culturing: Short question

[cbitsiaras]

Hello everyone,

I am attempting to grow some rotifers for my fry fish. I would also like to culture some phytoplankton as well. I bought along with the rotifers a super high concentration of Nannochloropsis & Tetraselmis Phytoplankton.


Could I use this as a starting culture and if yes how much of it shall i put in a 2L bottle?

Thanks alot for your help!
:wave:

Dino

 

[shifty51008]

I wouldnt see why you couldnt use it to start your own, just add enough to your starter bottle to make the water a nice light green tint, add you phyto food, light, and air stone and you should be set.

 

[cbitsiaras]

Thanks alot for your help! I put it in and started culturing them. Didnt use airstone though as i read in many articles that surface skimming is not recommended for phytoplankton growth. So only the rigid airline in.

Once again thanks for the feedback and lets hope it will start growing

Best regards

Dino

 

[_shorty_]

single airline is good. I've found a pretty good amount of airflow is needed to keep the cells suspended.

 

[shifty51008]

Yes, sorry i ment to say air line, not air stone. It was a late night lol.

 

[H.reidi.MN]

What are you guys feeding your phyto with?

 

[shifty51008]

When i grew my own i used to feed microalge grow.

 

[cbitsiaras]

When i grew my own i used to feed microalge grow.

Since i dont have microalgae grow would anything with phosphates and nitrates would do? such as Pohls Xtra or aminoacid, spong power etc?

 

[shifty51008]

I wouldn't see why not, others have also had good luck using Miracle-Gro liquid plant fertalizer

 

[H.reidi.MN]

That's why I asked. About 8 years ago when I messed around with rearing seahorses I used miracle grow

 

[GreshamH]

Miracle grow is specifically designed for terrestrial plants which have different needs. While it will grow phytoplankton, the phyto will not be as nutritious as that grown on proper F/2.

 

[yodacroz]

I've also heard that Miracle Grow has some stuff that precipitates out in saltwater. Florida Aqua Farms is why I get most anything I need for phyto and rotifer culturing

 

[cbitsiaras]

I've also heard that Miracle Grow has some stuff that precipitates out in saltwater. Florida Aqua Farms is why I get most anything I need for phyto and rotifer culturing

The problem is that i dont know where to order the staff from here in Denmark as it seems that Florida Aqua Farms doesns ship to Europe.

My attempts to culture phyto have been unsuccessful so far...

 

[_shorty_]

If you can find another true f/2 two part formula, it'll probably be a better solution than aqua-farms 1 part, anyway. It's out there, just not always easiest to find. I got mine from fritzpet.com, and am happy with it. You might check them out and see if they'll ship overseas. They have pretty good customer service that I've seen so far, so I would guess they'll work with you.

 

[billsreef]

http://www.aquaticeco.com ships internationally. Though they don't small quantities. Most economical would probably be what they call the "Mass Pack", it's basically bulk dry chemical, so your not paying for shipping the water weight Mixes up to a 4 L stock solution which is enough to grow several thousand gallons of phyto for only $16.87 plus shipping. Add a touch of HCL to drop the pH in order to retard bacterial growth, keep in fridge, and keeps a long time.

 

[cbitsiaras]

http://www.aquaticeco.com ships internationally. Though they don't small quantities. Most economical would probably be what they call the "Mass Pack", it's basically bulk dry chemical, so your not paying for shipping the water weight Mixes up to a 4 L stock solution which is enough to grow several thousand gallons of phyto for only $16.87 plus shipping. Add a touch of HCL to drop the pH in order to retard bacterial growth, keep in fridge, and keeps a long time.

WOW That is one GREAT product! I am actually considering ordering it as it will trully save me from alot of money and once of payment of postal charges. Have you tried their nanno discs? Would you recommend them? They are 2 to 3 times more expensive than the rest in the market and was wondering if they are of special quality for more nutritient meals for the rotifers etc.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[cbitsiaras]

If you can find another true f/2 two part formula, it'll probably be a better solution than aqua-farms 1 part, anyway. It's out there, just not always easiest to find. I got mine from fritzpet.com, and am happy with it. You might check them out and see if they'll ship overseas. They have pretty good customer service that I've seen so far, so I would guess they'll work with you.

Thanks alot for your time and reply. It looks like a good website. Since I am based in Denmark i think i will go ahead with the suggestion of Billy concerning the dried product which i can mix at home. Only problem is that customs in DK opens everything and they will probably think is a "Kate Moss powder" hehe

 

[billsreef]

WOW That is one GREAT product! I am actually considering ordering it as it will trully save me from alot of money and once of payment of postal charges. Have you tried their nanno discs? Would you recommend them? They are 2 to 3 times more expensive than the rest in the market and was wondering if they are of special quality for more nutritient meals for the rotifers etc.

Thanks for the feedback!

It is good stuff, used in my old lab all the time As for the nano discs, they are simply a pure starter culture for starting your cultures. On the agar disc they are cheaper for shipping and having a longer "shelf" life than pure liquid cultures. Works well for nano, but I've found the T-iso problematic to start from discs.

 

[yodacroz]

sorry- I didn't notice the Denmark part. The stinky part is that Aquatic Ecosystems uses Florida Aqua Farms' products. I've bought from both places and realized that AE's stuff was repackaged FAF stuff. At least you found somewhere to get supplies! Good luck!

 

[GreshamH]

It is good stuff, used in my old lab all the time As for the nano discs, they are simply a pure starter culture for starting your cultures. On the agar disc they are cheaper for shipping and having a longer "shelf" life than pure liquid cultures. Works well for nano, but I've found the T-iso problematic to start from discs.

Really Bill, REALLY?