phytoplankton no turning dark in color

[Reefen]

I am on my 3rd batch of nannochloropsis, it has been goin for 8 days and has not gotten dark in color, I did add more fertilzer on day 4, the directions say I can let it go for 10 days, but if it still is not dark in color by that point should I let it go longer?

 

[Saltyreef]

I am on my 3rd batch of nannochloropsis, it has been goin for 8 days and has not gotten dark in color, I did add more fertilzer on day 4, the directions say I can let it go for 10 days, but if it still is not dark in color by that point should I let it go longer?

Did the first two batches get dark?
You may have crashed the culture.
It happens sometimes with very little contamination.
Do u have any other culture to use to start a new batch?

 

[Reefen]

Did the first two batches get dark?
You may have crashed the culture.
It happens sometimes with very little contamination.
Do u have any other culture to use to start a new batch?

yes my first 2 did get dark within 3 days, I do have another culture in the fridg

 

[Saltyreef]

Are you just pouring half out and refilling with saltwater and fertilizer to start a new batch?

Sometimes you can get away with it for a while but youll want to sanitize the culture vessel and use a fresh stored culture to restart completely.
Some people recommend sanitizing inbetween or using the bags inserted into the jars and changing them in between batches..
Just a little more work.

 

[Saltyreef]

Also FWIW,

If you ever try to culture a mix strain phyto, it doesnt get as dark as a single strain since the larger cells outcompete the smaller ones and it will crash out much faster.

I tried to use algaebarns ocean magik as a starter culture once and it ended up like that after the 3rd batch.

 

[Reefen]

I am cutting the original culture in half but putting it in a clean container one that has been cleaned with vinegar

 

[Saltyreef]

I am cutting the original culture in half but putting it in a clean container one that has been cleaned with vinegar

Gotcha. Maybe just a random contamination issue then.
Is it staying in suspension fine with the air?

 

[Saltyreef]

Proper salinity and proper amount of fertilizer going back into the jar?

 

[Reefen]

update, I put more fertilizer in and it has gotten darker