Phytoplankton Culture Station Lets See Them!

[tippin.turtle]

Looking for creative ways to culture phytoplankton. I have an idea how I'll be constructing mine but know there are those of you who can take things to the "next level".
Lets see them!

 

[KrisReef]

I've got this totally figured out: I just ordered some from an on line vendor. I'll follow along to see what others do.

 

[mdb_talon]

Ok mine is far from "next level"...just a shelf in a closet but will share anyway. Works well though i just keep three small ones running(one being cleaned at moment) Use 1 bottle per week.

 

[tippin.turtle]

Seeing custom stands, CNC acrylic work, tricked out sumps, and the list just goes on forever when it comes to customization in this hobby. I know it may be sill y to try and over complicate something that doesn't need to be complicated but I find that there can still be real beauty in the simple things. Phytoplankton cultures could be really cool if setup in a neat fashion I imagine. It's radioactive green! What's not to like?

 

[RobB'z Reef]

I didn't feel like messing around with a dyi project in this case. All you need is a shelf/flat surface and an outlet and it just works.

Copepod Culture | Poseidon Reef Systems

Accessories to culture copepods

poseidonreefsystems.com

 

[DaneGer21]

Here’s mine... a diaper box(we have a baby haha), lined with led strip lights. Plugged into an apex out, I had a spare outlet, and also a temp probe, because why not haha

 

[NoahLikesFish]

What salinity do you need for a phyto culture. can I just use dirty tankwater?

 

[DaneGer21]

What salinity do you need for a phyto culture. can I just use dirty tankwater?

No, must be fresh and sterile. I use 1.018

 

[NoahLikesFish]

Why? Dosent phyto need nutrients?

 

[DaneGer21]

Why? Dosent phyto need nutrients?

Bacteria will crash it. You need special fertilizer to feed it

 

[Mark Gray]

Following I have a 10 gallon tank with an air stone. I use old tank water, and I think it's Melvin's fertilizer. Grows tgunk and green, been this way for over a year. I am still wondering why everyone wants it sterile.

 

[DaneGer21]

Following I have a 10 gallon tank with an air stone. I use old tank water, and I think it's Melvin's fertilizer. Grows tgunk and green, been this way for over a year. I am still wondering why everyone wants it sterile.

Do you ever get floating debris? Or stuff growing on the walls?

I’ve taken the upmost precautions using alcohol to sterilize everything as I go, super heat my water, and still have about a 75% success rate. Are you sure you aren’t growing things other than Phyto in your cultures?

 

[Mark Gray]

Do you ever get floating debris? Or stuff growing on the walls?

I’ve taken the upmost precautions using alcohol to sterilize everything as I go, super heat my water, and still have about a 75% success rate. Are you sure you aren’t growing things other than Phyto in your cultures?

Oh yes I don't really keep it clean. I usually just use a coffee cup scoop a cup out and dump it in very thick green water.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Here’s mine... a diaper box(we have a baby haha), lined with led strip lights. Plugged into an apex out, I had a spare outlet, and also a temp probe, because why not haha

Love the upcycling of the diaper box!

 

[RobB'z Reef]

These same setups can essentially be used to maintain your own pod cultures as well. When I have time I just order some pods from @AlgaeBarn and feed them the phyto I grew from my previous batch.

 

[Manny D. Mandarin]

These same setups can essentially be used to maintain your own pod cultures as well. When I have time I just order some pods from @AlgaeBarn and feed them the phyto I grew from my previous batch.

Thanks for choosing AlgaeBarn! What is your favorite pod jar to order?

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Thanks for choosing AlgaeBarn! What is your favorite pod jar to order?

So far I've just tried the tisbee pods but eventually will experiment with others

 

[AlgaeBarn]

So far I've just tried the tisbee pods but eventually will experiment with others

We appreciate the support! Look into our Ecopods it's our blend of 4 species

 

[Mark Gray]

Do you ever get floating debris? Or stuff growing on the walls?

I’ve taken the upmost precautions using alcohol to sterilize everything as I go, super heat my water, and still have about a 75% success rate. Are you sure you aren’t growing things other than Phyto in your cultures?

I am sure I am growing all kinds of stuff. I introduce all kinds of bacteria and thing to my DT. The ocean if not to clean I have mud I have introduced ick I do not have at least yet with any disease. I feed as much live food as I can when I am home, my green water, black worms, white worms, fresh clams. I will try and get a picture when I go home today of my green water it was started from Ocean Magic from Algae Barn, I do add pods every couple of months too.

 

[tippin.turtle]

After posting this thread and seeing what others were doing I decided to set about creating my own culture station. It's not "high tech" or "innovative" but it looks nice and should be simple to maintain.