Starting culture w/ DT's Plankton

[clockwurk]

Is this possible to start a phyto culture w/ DT's Plankton? I have a feeling that its not possible using this to start. Its just good business I guess. But has anyone here tried?

Thanks

 

[JetCat USA]

allot of people will tell you no but there have been countless cultures started on it, it's alive, provide the right environment and it'll grow. you'll end up with a mono-culture and it'll be Nanno, they won't find a happy medium as some people try to think, the Nanno will out compete the other algae and take over completely.

FWIW you can get an algae disk from Florida Aqua Farm for a few $$$ less then DTs and get the strain of algae you desire without the hassle of letting it fight it out.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

The one think I don't understand is why you have to go through the setup with coke bottles etc and not just dump some DTs in a 10g tank and let it grow with an aerator ? why it has to be so complicated to raise phyto ?

 

[Ding2daDong]

No you cannont use DT's to start a phytoplankton culture. DT's is a MIX of different species so they are basically killing each other and one species will survive while the rest will die and produce ammonia.

I got my first starter culture tray from floridaaquafarmers.com

I would also check ebay for Nannochloropsis, I think thats the one to get.

I will post pictures up later of my culture station in action.

hth

-Matthew

 

[Ding2daDong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10866929#post10866929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 0 Agios
The one think I don't understand is why you have to go through the setup with coke bottles etc and not just dump some DTs in a 10g tank and let it grow with an aerator ? why it has to be so complicated to raise phyto ? [/QUOTE

I think it's because when you are raising the phyto in a 2 LT bottle with an airstone at the bottom it takes alot longer for the phytoplankton to build up on the bottom and smother each other. If it was in a 10g you would probably need multiply airstones and a big spoon for stirring it up many, many times a day.

Usually people raise phyto because they are trying to raise rotifers for clownfish fry. If a culture crashes they need multiple ones just in case. If you have 7 cultures, about 3 days apart then even if one culture crashes for whatever reason you still will have food for the rotifers which feeds the fry.

I hope that helps.

-Matthew

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10867180#post10867180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ding2daDong
No you cannont use DT's to start a phytoplankton culture.

Of course you can.

DT's is a MIX of different species so they are basically killing each other and one species will survive.............

Yes and that one species has resulted in the start of many many many hundreds of cultures, i've started several myself as have others here on the board, i don't know of a one that didn't mono-culture to Nanno and FWIW when the others die out the nutrients they release are consumed by the prevailing algae, they thrive on it, not die from it.

0 Agios

the reason you use the 2L bottles is to reduce contamination. a 10g tank has one heck of a big opening for contaminations to get into the culture and taking over, it's survival of the fittest and with every re-bloom you run the chance of a contaminant getting into your culture, especially bacteria. I've used the 5g carboy (water fountain jugs) with great success because it has a very narrow opening and allows for large cultures with minimal opening to allow a contaminant entry.

 

[clockwurk]

lol. im a little more confused now.
i think ill try the algae disk and the DT, and see which works better for me.

gonna go simple w/ some jars i have laying around, about a liter or so.
ill report back which worked better for me.

thanks all

 

[Lifes A Beach]

Keep us up to date on this project. I have also wondered about this same question using DT's and have read on other websites that it can be done successfully.

 

[dent2011]

clockwurk, I have been growing my own phyto from florida aqua farms and I can give you a liter to start your own culture. I have to much phyto for my 29 reef!

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10868009#post10868009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dent2011
clockwurk, I have been growing my own phyto from florida aqua farms and I can give you a liter to start your own culture. I have to much phyto for my 29 reef!

What am I ? chopped liver ? I would like to see your setup and get some to start.

 

[dent2011]

sure just pm and I will send you some photos, I just use a couple of old 15 watt lights and a small air pump. The trick is to add 5ml of miracle grow each time you culture.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

can you post the picks here ? others probably want to look at them as well. Thanks.

 

[dent2011]

Sure...here it is nothing fancy notice how dark the water is, its time to split.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/162502DSC02522.JPG
O Agios, if your still interested you can have some.

 

[clockwurk]

Dent, thanks man. I might take you up on your offer. Have a ton of work this weekend but Ill let you know.

 

[dent2011]

PM me when you want some

 

[Young Frankenstein]

pm send