Phyto Culture Start-Up Tips???

[DiloHunter]

I have had a tigger pod culture for quite a while now. My problem is that dosing phytoplankton is starting to add up in cost. I want to see how I could start up a nannochloropsis culture. I have a bottle of it in my fridge from @hollback. I have a light and a pump and I have plenty of large jars around the house. Main things I want to know is specific gravity, what I need to add to the nano culture to keep it going, whether it needs more than light to grow, harvesting, and any other pointers.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I always use 1.020 as the specific gravity for nanno, but its pretty flexible it can be done at lower SG up to 1.026. 16-18 hours of light per day, moderate light, not too strong. And an airline, thats it. And of course F2. I use 2 litre pop bottles. Its pretty easy, takes about 4-6 days to harvest (in my case)

 

[hollback]

I basically do the exact same as the above. Only difference is I run my lights for 24hrs. I also use muriatic acid to clean my 2ltrs and tubing between ending and starting a new culture.

 

[Microcosm Reefer]

Hardest part is keeping rotifers and other nasty contams out... cleanliness will make or break your culture.

 

[DiloHunter]

I always use 1.020 as the specific gravity for nanno, but its pretty flexible it can be done at lower SG up to 1.026. 16-18 hours of light per day, moderate light, not too strong. And an airline, thats it. And of course F2. I use 2 litre pop bottles. Its pretty easy, takes about 4-6 days to harvest (in my case)

I basically do the exact same as the above. Only difference is I run my lights for 24hrs. I also use muriatic acid to clean my 2ltrs and tubing between ending and starting a new culture.

Hardest part is keeping rotifers and other nasty contams out... cleanliness will make or break your culture.

Thank you for the tips.

 

[Derrick0580]

I like the poseiden reef jars because I can use their plastic bag inserts and keep the jars much cleaner and more sterile!

 

[Dinkins Aquatic Gardens Verified Sponsor]

Sanitation is absolutely key. Sanitize your vessels with rubbing alcohol; don't just rely on detergents or acids. High aeration is important to keep the phyto in suspension. A 24 hour photoperiod is fine, as is 18/6.