Question regarding Phytoplankton

[Phantom7]

Hello! I just got some phyto off eBay, and decided to take a look at it under a microscope and noticed nothing dancing around down there. I was curious if maybe they’re in like a hibernation state (they were triple wrapped in padded bags with a moderately cool cold pack when they arrived) or if something might’ve happened to them on their way to me? i was also curious if maybe these black things spread through out it had anything to do with that.
Thank you!
(Can upload a video if needed, but it might as well be a photo since they’re not partying like I see on other videos of nanno.)

 

[jimk60]

I'm just guessing it's all dead. Check out Eldredge on this forum for phyto. You won't be disappointed.

 

[GARRIGA]

Phyto or green water has moving parts. Was it delivered cold and therefore somewhat dormant?

 

[Phantom7]

Phyto or green water has moving parts. Was it delivered cold and therefore somewhat dormant?

Hey! So the cold pack was like just below room temperature. I live in Florida, and it came from South Carolina. As mentioned, it was also triple wrapped in padded envelopes.

i also forgot to mention a very strong sulfur smell. Smells just like a natural spring.

 

[GARRIGA]

Hey! So the cold pack was like just below room temperature. I live in Florida, and it came from South Carolina. As mentioned, it was also triple wrapped in padded envelopes.

i also forgot to mention a very strong sulfur smell. Smells just like a natural spring.

Then it shouldn’t be dormant and perhaps dead.

 

[DHill6]

Don’t use if there’s a strong sulfur or egg smell.

 

[Phantom7]

Seller said nanno doesn’t move, and sulfur smell is still ok so long as not clear or brown, which it was a very dark green. Not too sure. I’ll give it a shot for culturing it, worst case, my eBay account is in pretty good standing, hoping they’d refund it.
Almost wonder if I need to dilute it even more, this is 1:1 and it’s still pretty dark.

 

[DHill6]

The live phyto I used to order smelled like grass. Sulfur or bad egg smell I wouldn’t risk it. Algaebarn replaces phyto that smells like sulphur or eggs, looks dark not light. Their mix could be different of course.

 

[Phantom7]

The live phyto I used to order smelled like grass. Sulfur or bad egg smell I wouldn’t risk it. Algaebarn replaces phyto that smells like sulphur or eggs, looks dark not light. Their mix could be different of course.

I’ve honestly never had an algae barn order that didnt smell off. I’m thinking I just don’t have a good nose for this stuff.

this smells like sulfur, but a lot less… rotten eggy than algae barn. Wish I could smell the difference between good and bad phyto instead of just having to guess.

 

[DHill6]

Hope it works out for you. I definitely can smell the difference. AGB is a light green with fresh grass smell. I’ve only received one bad one from them. Order tisbe pods all the time, great results.

 

[Phantom7]

Hope it works out for you. I definitely can smell the difference. AGB is a light green with fresh grass smell. I’ve only received one bad one from them. Order tisbe pods all the time, great results.

Fresh grass. I know that smell well because it kills me lol. I got pods from them and they looked great.
thanks for your time, have a goodnight.

 

[homer1475]

Fresh live phyto should smell like the ocean, not grass or rotten eggs or anything else. If it smells like anything besides a fresh ocean breeze, I would not use it.

What you have is dead phyto(non living cells), which is still fine to use(think ocean nutrition phyto feast).