First batch of Phyto questions

[Scubabum]

Making my first batch of Phytoplankton and currently on day 6. Not sure when to harvest. By looking at my photo is it ready? Should it be darker? Again this is the first time I've done this and looking for any advice on when to pull or what to look for. Thank you.

 

[chris85]

Little bit longer you want it to be almost dark green and where you can almost not see the beam of light if you shine it through the other side if that makes any since.

 

[Scubabum]

Little bit longer you want it to be almost dark green and where you can almost not see the beam of light if you shine it through the other side if that makes any since.

Thanks. 1 Day later and its a bit darker. I'm figuring a couple more days. Thanks for your response.

 

[chris85]

How's it looking?

 

[Scubabum]

How's it looking?

I let it go a couple of more days. Here it is today.

 

[mitch91175]

I let it go a couple of more days. Here it is today.

Looks like some good green water to me

 

[shiftline]

Nice and dark. If you havevest too early it will likely not being strong enough and crash. Alternatively when it’s too dark it can crash

The one on the right I split today

 

[Clownfish2]

Making my first batch of Phytoplankton and currently on day 6. Not sure when to harvest. By looking at my photo is it ready? Should it be darker? Again this is the first time I've done this and looking for any advice on when to pull or what to look for. Thank you.

According to the Plankton Culture Manual I have, 6-10 days is the most nutritious phyto to harvest. When I am culturing phyto such as nannochloropsis, I keep one bottle always bubbling in front of light way beyond 10 days. This bottle serves as a backup in case my other bottles crash due to contamination. Even if it becomes very dark green and has been bubbling for 2-3 months, a portion of it can still be used to inoculate a new bottle of phyto. This is easier for me than storing a bottle of phyto in the fridge and needing to shake it up everyday.