Phytoplankton

[Mangodude]

Not sure if this is the right area.. please redirect me if its not

I would like to give phytoplankton a try and was wondering if I could use a 5g tank to house a very large batch and just keep one batch going? I've seen some diy videos that show multiple bottles but I don't see why I couldnt just use one big container?

Any help/explanations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[billsreef]

Phytoplankton cultures typically peak and crash. A single culture can often be run a couple of weeks if aggressively harvested, but typically will still crash within a couple of weeks at best. There are methods for continuous production, but are hard to implement at small scales.

 

[KCombs]

go on youtube...play the assorted videos and if you sift though the diatribe and hype you'll see how to do it....
short version: cheapest way is with a 4ft shoplight (or 2ea work lights) and a "battery" of 2l bottles in rotation ... you can use DT's live and regular IO @ 1.019 SG ...
....and yeah, you can use "Miracle Grow" but why when specific algae grow stuff is dang cheap anyway

heck do a search on Billsreef's post ....

 

[Darth Vedder]

I responded some to this thread, it has some info that might help.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2183489

I have been very successful and my cultures are going fast and I harvest about every three days lately. I would not do it in an aquarium as it would be a maintenance nightmare when splitting. Also it will settle on the bottom. Using a flask or bottle is much more efficient as you can shake them each day to keep them healthy in addition to the audible tube to keep it moving.

I also have learned much more than 2000 ml batch culturing tends to crash more often than not due to not getting the proper amount of ligh. Smaller cultures turn over faster and see more light and are easier to handle. If you need more phyto run multiple bottles. This is also good if you have a mystery crash it usually only affects one culture so you don't lose th entire crop

 

[billsreef]

Darth,

Up your aeration to a rolling boil. No more shaking needed, and larger cultures will get enough light from the turnover

 

[Agu]

DIY Phyto culture station

You can ramp it up or down depending on your needs.

 

[Darth Vedder]

I have it at a rolling boil, but after about two days there is still always some settling on the bottom. It could be the Erlenmyer flask shape as apprised to using two liter soda bottles.

Thanks either way

 

[sunny d polyp]

Phyto...

Phyto...

I use 17 liter bags from FAF and only bubble slightly (rigid tubing) to keep the cells in suspension.

I harvest mine every 9 days (15/gals) and add back 1/gal phyto to 1 1/2 culture water and the bags hang on a PVC rack system I made.

Feed 2 cups to my tank daily (120/gal... 30/gal sump and 24/gal fuge and the rest are fed to my rotifers (brachionus plicatilis) which I also feed to my mixed reef everyday.