Feeding phyto/rotifer culture question

[Clownfishmike]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience keeping a phyto/rotifer culture up in Canada? I'm looking for something to feed a phytoplankton culture but can't find anything.

I can't get rg complete or micro algae grow here in Canada and looking for an idea for an alternative.

Thanks

 

[Subsea]

Check out Mercer of Montana

 

[Doctorgori]

I use the above with good results…Fritz makes a 2pt solution also that works
…I saw a few diy recipes for Guiliards f/2 somewhere…. not sure how useful however..

Table 1 . Standard F/2 (Guillard's) medium compositions

Download Table | Standard F/2 (Guillard's) medium compositions from publication: Characterization of Growth and Protein Contents from Microalgae Navicula incerta with the Investigation of Antioxidant Activity of Enzymatic Hydrolysates | Microalgae are major primary producers of organic matters...

www.researchgate.net

 

[DaJMasta]

For phyto, you just need the fertilizer, and basically every commercially made one is some derivative of the f/2 formula. I've actually heard of people using commercial fertilizers like MiracleGro, but I'm not sure that's advisable since you're eventually going to be dumping at least some of it into a reef tank. You may try a biological lab supply store that serves Canada, they would probably have some preparation of liquid fertilizer that would be suitable. Also, probably most places that will ship you a starter culture will at least sell their own brand of fertilizer.

 

[Bph]

Mercer of Montana from Amazon is what I would recommend also stay away from miracle grow. F2 fertilizer only it is formulated for marine systems.

 

[alan3402]

While i haven't used miracle grow, I did use FoxFarm Grow Big when i started and had good results. For the last 2 yrs I have been using to Mercer of Montana's formula. The yield is about the same, but there seems to be less precipitate formed and my cultures last longer before I need to get new seed phyto.