Is Phytoplankton worth culturing?

[Blakjax]

This is my current setup. Just tying to figure out if I need to expand to 2 or 3 jugs. And if cleaning in between harvests is a necessity. I also want to start a pod culture.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Can you talk me through your harvesting procedure? I am using a 2.5 gallon glass jug with spout. I was hoping to use the spout to harvest weekly and then just add fresh water and f2. I’m wondering if the jug needs to be cleaned weekly or if I can just add water and go? I assume you’re not cleaning your tank each week right?

Once the cultures are up and going, I pretty much leave them alone. I don't worry about cleaning or even keeping salinity in check. Once the culture tank is almost empty I'll add a liter or so of green water to a fresh culture vessel. Repeat.

 

[Blakjax]

Once the cultures are up and going, I pretty much leave them alone. I don't worry about cleaning or even keeping salinity in check. Once the culture tank is almost empty I'll add a liter or so of green water to a fresh culture vessel. Repeat.

So...the picture I sent you. I would empty half of it and use in my tanks. And then simply refill with fresh saltwater and f2? No need to clean the jug before I add the new water?

 

[Dana Riddle]

So...the picture I sent you. I would empty half of it and use in my tanks. And then simply refill with fresh saltwater and f2? No need to clean the jug before I add the new water?

Difficult to compare dissimilar culture protocols, but I use the algae until it is practically gone, and then seed a new culture using water exchange water and f/2.

 

[Gp!]

Nothing fancy. Aquaria from Petco for $1 per gallon, an air pump, and a couple of LED lights. Guillard's f/2 algae nutrients really gets the cultures growing. I feed algae to the display tank at least daily. Copepods are abundant there, so the corals get algae and pods.

I was looking at setting up a phyto culture like this. I have a good space for 1 x 20g tank. Can you keep this going in one tank or do you need to swap between the three for long term success?