My How To Culture Phytoplankton Guide - Page 2

billsreef · 03/04/2011, 07:46 PM

There isn't enough copper in the micro algae grow to be a problem

Remember, copper is one of those funny things...a tiny bit is needed for life, a little more kills things. The micro algae grow has just that right tiny bit.

apt220 · 03/05/2011, 07:11 PM

Great, thank you.

Posledni Czar · 03/06/2011, 02:53 PM

Yes, I hadn't noted any ill effects from using the microalgae cultured in this way. and straining it would be a tedious procedure, not to mention you'd have to get paper fine enough to filter it.

Algaenot · 03/24/2011, 05:48 PM

I've had a culture going for around 8 months mow with no problems. Prior to that I was fighting crashes all of the time to the point where I was about to give up. I researched several sites including Melevsreef.com and tried different techniques including using tap water instead of DI water. Also, I live in the Denver area and have not found it necessary to sterilize the tap water prior to use. The tap water definitely helped but I still had a few crashes. Finally, I noticed that the temperature of the culture seemed high due to the close proximity of the lighting (I use a couple of T5s). I added a small fan that blows across the bottles and I have not experienced a crash since that time. In my situation, temperature had a significant impact on the stability of the culture.

msman825 · 03/25/2011, 06:42 AM

OH i feel what your saying Algaenot, been there and done that. i have crashed more cultures than carter has liver pills before i figured it out. but now i just use the instant and my cellar dont look like a lab. whole lot easier with my job now days too

apt220 · 04/02/2011, 10:52 PM

What are the the signs of a phytoplakton crash? I've been culturing (or trying at least) nanno, but some bottles have algae growing on the container walls that fall off easy if I shake it? Is that cyano? Also, the cultures have small clumps floating around. Im guessing they crashed..

BluScrnOdeth · 04/03/2011, 10:56 AM

If it turns all white and doesnt change in color within 3 weeks. I call it crashed. I have bene using Miracle Grow on my phyto and Nanno and Tetra seem to do fine but ISO G is having problems. Its on its second week and no signs of growth.... If it doesnt grow i'll have to throw it out and buy more somewhere with some F/2 formula like i should have used in the first place.

billsreef · 04/03/2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apt220

What are the the signs of a phytoplakton crash? I've been culturing (or trying at least) nanno, but some bottles have algae growing on the container walls that fall off easy if I shake it? Is that cyano? Also, the cultures have small clumps floating around. Im guessing they crashed..

Sounds like your culture got contaminated by cyano, which took over the culture. Nanno does not adhere to surfaces or clump. I'd break down your entire set up, sterilize it all, than set back up with a new culture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluScrnOdeth

If it turns all white and doesnt change in color within 3 weeks. I call it crashed. I have bene using Miracle Grow on my phyto and Nanno and Tetra seem to do fine but ISO G is having problems. Its on its second week and no signs of growth.... If it doesnt grow i'll have to throw it out and buy more somewhere with some F/2 formula like i should have used in the first place.

If the Iso hasn't grown in 2 weeks, it's time to try again. That stuff grows quickly if it's happy.

apt220 · 04/03/2011, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the reply Bill and Bluscrnodeth. Can you just verifiy that this is cyano before I break everything down? Here are some pictures:

These are the free floating mini clumps:

Here are the ones sticking on the walls:

Thanks

Algaenot · 04/04/2011, 08:06 PM

My culture looks just like that. Especially near the bottom of the bottle. Now i'm really curious.

billsreef · 04/04/2011, 08:46 PM

appt220, it would really take checking under a microscope to be 100% sure. However, with that clumping it's like 90% likely to be contaminated

bmkj02 · 04/21/2011, 11:16 PM

Hi everyone. I just started my batch last week not noticing this thread. I started by reading on Melevs site. I got my culture from Aquafarms and also the fertilzer. I started with one whole discin one 2lt bottle with RO/DI water set at 1.019 salt gravity. Per the instruction on Melevs said 2ml of fertilizer and a LFS told me to use 1ml cause it can cause an outbreak of green hair algae. ??? Never had done it I went with 1ml. Its been 7 days and I just split my system tonight into 2 bottle. I just noticed someone said they use 10ml of fertilizer. Im a little thrown off now. Thats a big difference from 1ml and 2ml. Am I doing this wrong?

Posledni Czar · 04/22/2011, 10:02 AM

Its all about the concentration of your fertilizer. I use 1 ml because my ferts are very concentrated. plus if you use sterile water, you have no risk of a HA out break.

Woodstock · 04/22/2011, 10:45 PM

I have been trying my hand at growing phyto for about three months now.
I try to split every 7 to 10 days,I read some where not to go over 10 days,
Can I or should I go over 10 days?
I'm using 2 litre pop bottles and switch out to a new bottle every other split,
Never use the same bottle more than twice since they are free.
And the bottom of the bottle is settled with a dark green does that mean I am not bubbling hard enough?
My phyto never gets as dark green like I see some other people get, only a lite lime green.
The only time I ever got a dark green is one time I used sterilized/dechlorinated tap water. I didn't want what ever else was in tap water in my tank so I tossed it.

Using nano disc from FAF.
I set my culture water at 1.019 using RO/DI
1ml of Guillards F2 per bottle.n
I have looked at my samples under a microscope.
Could any one describe what It should look like?
Are there any good photos out there of a healthy nano culture that I could compare to?

merfish101 · 08/25/2017, 01:49 PM

Anything new thoughts on dosing phyto?

vikinglord13 · 09/06/2017, 09:45 PM

I'm actually curious if it's possible to culture phyto just by putting fish food in the bottle rather than fertilizer

dartier · 09/12/2017, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikinglord13

I'm actually curious if it's possible to culture phyto just by putting fish food in the bottle rather than fertilizer

Not directly no. The fish food would have to be broken down to inorganic nutrients first, and then would still be lacking in some areas most likely. Far easier to use F/2 in the first place as it has all the needed nutrients in the right proportions for microalgae.

Dennis

vikinglord13 · 09/14/2017, 10:38 PM

Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks!

03/04/2011, 07:46 PM	#26
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	There isn't enough copper in the micro algae grow to be a problem Remember, copper is one of those funny things...a tiny bit is needed for life, a little more kills things. The micro algae grow has just that right tiny bit. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

03/25/2011, 06:42 AM	#30
msman825 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: maine Posts: 1,301	OH i feel what your saying Algaenot, been there and done that. i have crashed more cultures than carter has liver pills before i figured it out. but now i just use the instant and my cellar dont look like a lab. whole lot easier with my job now days too __________________ MSMAN

04/04/2011, 08:46 PM	#36
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	appt220, it would really take checking under a microscope to be 100% sure. However, with that clumping it's like 90% likely to be contaminated __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

04/22/2011, 10:45 PM	#39
Woodstock Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ellensburg, WA Posts: 63	I have been trying my hand at growing phyto for about three months now. I try to split every 7 to 10 days,I read some where not to go over 10 days, Can I or should I go over 10 days? I'm using 2 litre pop bottles and switch out to a new bottle every other split, Never use the same bottle more than twice since they are free. And the bottom of the bottle is settled with a dark green does that mean I am not bubbling hard enough? My phyto never gets as dark green like I see some other people get, only a lite lime green. The only time I ever got a dark green is one time I used sterilized/dechlorinated tap water. I didn't want what ever else was in tap water in my tank so I tossed it. Using nano disc from FAF. I set my culture water at 1.019 using RO/DI 1ml of Guillards F2 per bottle.n I have looked at my samples under a microscope. Could any one describe what It should look like? Are there any good photos out there of a healthy nano culture that I could compare to? __________________ -there is no spoon Current Tank Info: 120 RR, 60 sump, SRO 2000 int, Ehiem 1262 return, 250 DE 14K, T5, LED.

08/25/2017, 01:49 PM	#40
merfish101 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 92	Anything new thoughts on dosing phyto? __________________ Merc

03/05/2011, 07:11 PM	#27
apt220 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,305	Great, thank you.

03/06/2011, 02:53 PM	#28
Posledni Czar Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCO Posts: 38	Yes, I hadn't noted any ill effects from using the microalgae cultured in this way. and straining it would be a tedious procedure, not to mention you'd have to get paper fine enough to filter it.

03/24/2011, 05:48 PM	#29
Algaenot Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Highlands Ranch, Co Posts: 174	I've had a culture going for around 8 months mow with no problems. Prior to that I was fighting crashes all of the time to the point where I was about to give up. I researched several sites including Melevsreef.com and tried different techniques including using tap water instead of DI water. Also, I live in the Denver area and have not found it necessary to sterilize the tap water prior to use. The tap water definitely helped but I still had a few crashes. Finally, I noticed that the temperature of the culture seemed high due to the close proximity of the lighting (I use a couple of T5s). I added a small fan that blows across the bottles and I have not experienced a crash since that time. In my situation, temperature had a significant impact on the stability of the culture.

04/02/2011, 10:52 PM	#31
apt220 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,305	What are the the signs of a phytoplakton crash? I've been culturing (or trying at least) nanno, but some bottles have algae growing on the container walls that fall off easy if I shake it? Is that cyano? Also, the cultures have small clumps floating around. Im guessing they crashed..

04/03/2011, 10:56 AM	#32
BluScrnOdeth Darin Schmidt Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 537	If it turns all white and doesnt change in color within 3 weeks. I call it crashed. I have bene using Miracle Grow on my phyto and Nanno and Tetra seem to do fine but ISO G is having problems. Its on its second week and no signs of growth.... If it doesnt grow i'll have to throw it out and buy more somewhere with some F/2 formula like i should have used in the first place.

04/03/2011, 08:29 PM	#34
apt220 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,305	Thanks for the reply Bill and Bluscrnodeth. Can you just verifiy that this is cyano before I break everything down? Here are some pictures: These are the free floating mini clumps: Here are the ones sticking on the walls: Thanks

04/04/2011, 08:06 PM	#35
Algaenot Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Highlands Ranch, Co Posts: 174	My culture looks just like that. Especially near the bottom of the bottle. Now i'm really curious.

04/21/2011, 11:16 PM	#37
bmkj02 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 297	Hi everyone. I just started my batch last week not noticing this thread. I started by reading on Melevs site. I got my culture from Aquafarms and also the fertilzer. I started with one whole discin one 2lt bottle with RO/DI water set at 1.019 salt gravity. Per the instruction on Melevs said 2ml of fertilizer and a LFS told me to use 1ml cause it can cause an outbreak of green hair algae. ??? Never had done it I went with 1ml. Its been 7 days and I just split my system tonight into 2 bottle. I just noticed someone said they use 10ml of fertilizer. Im a little thrown off now. Thats a big difference from 1ml and 2ml. Am I doing this wrong?

04/22/2011, 10:02 AM	#38
Posledni Czar Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCO Posts: 38	Its all about the concentration of your fertilizer. I use 1 ml because my ferts are very concentrated. plus if you use sterile water, you have no risk of a HA out break.

09/06/2017, 09:45 PM	#41
vikinglord13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 484	I'm actually curious if it's possible to culture phyto just by putting fish food in the bottle rather than fertilizer

09/14/2017, 10:38 PM	#43
vikinglord13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 484	Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks!

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