Quick question on phytoplankton

[Niko219]

So i understand that a phyto culture should get 16h of light per day. What light level is good for them? Im really just trying to know if there is a such thing as too much light in regards to phyto culturing.

 

[Formulator]

Hello again! They are not picky at all. I just use a desk lamp and regular household bulb I already had sitting around. I doubt they could have too much light, but I’m curious what you are planning that gives you that concern…

 

[Niko219]

Hey again!! ill show you what my set up is. I previously said that i was gonna breed clownfish at my school, but ive decided to do it at home so i can check on them more often.

Its just full of tap water right now, im going on vacation in a week so im just test running everything for when i get back. Also the camera doesnt do the light justice on how bright it is.

 

[Niko219]

If i need to i can just turn the light intensity down but im asking if i would need to or not

 

[Eldredge]

So i understand that a phyto culture should get 16h of light per day. What light level is good for them? Im really just trying to know if there is a such thing as too much light in regards to phyto culturing.

It is possible to kill a new culture with too much light too quickly. By new, I mean one that is being started for the first time with a culture that was mailed to you. I would recommend starting the initial culture a couple of feet away from that light, and moving it closer each day. Personally, I would keep the culture at least 4 or 5 inches away in the end. If the culture gets hotter than the mid 80's, it will be inhibited and if it gets to 100, it will likely be killed. That light might put out a fair amount of heat - or maybe not. Good luck.

 

[Niko219]

It is possible to kill a new culture with too much light too quickly. By new, I mean one that is being started for the first time with a culture that was mailed to you. I would recommend starting the initial culture a couple of feet away from that light, and moving it closer each day. Personally, I would keep the culture at least 4 or 5 inches away in the end. If the culture gets hotter than the mid 80's, it will be inhibited and if it gets to 100, it will likely be killed. That light might put out a fair amount of heat - or maybe not. Good luck.

Would turning the light intensity down have the same effect? Or do i have to increase the distance?

 

[Eldredge]

Would turning the light intensity down have the same effect? Or do i have to increase the distance?

Sure if you can dim them down enough that should be fine. When I first started, I killed a couple of new cultures by putting the light right next to the vessel. It's kind of like a new coral - too little light is safer than too much light during the acclimation. Phyto adapts much more quickly though - a few days rather than a few weeks.

 

[Niko219]

Sure if you can dim them down enough that should be fine. When I first started, I killed a couple of new cultures by putting the light right next to the vessel. It's kind of like a new coral - too little light is safer than too much light during the acclimation. Phyto adapts much more quickly though - a few days rather than a few weeks.

Thank you very much. I checked out your phyto thread, would your phyto be suitable for feeding a rotifer culture? It probably is but I like to ask a lot of questions with this stuff because theres so many nitty gritty details that could mess up my whole plan. Could you provide some details on the species of your phyto? I am interested in purchasing some if so.

 

[Eldredge]

Thank you very much. I checked out your phyto thread, would your phyto be suitable for feeding a rotifer culture? It probably is but I like to ask a lot of questions with this stuff because theres so many nitty gritty details that could mess up my whole plan. Could you provide some details on the species of your phyto? I am interested in purchasing some if so.

Yes, it is excellent for feeding rotifers. In fact, I have been culturing them for a while now and will begin selling them in a couple of weeks. They do excellent on the blend, and I don't worry about nitrate build up etc.

My blend contains a couple of species of tetraselmis, a couple of species of isochrysis, nannochloropsis, nannochloris, chlorella, Dunaliella, Pavlova, Thalassiosira and Chaetoceros which are diatoms, and Porphyridium. I culture each of these species separately and then blend them together after harvest. So, it has green, gold, and red algae with sizes from 1-14 microns, and various nutritional profiles. It should meet the needs of all of the algae consuming organisms in a reef system, and is excellent feed for rotifer, copepods, and amphipods.

I harvest every Monday and ship on Tuesday. If you would like to place an order, if you send me your PayPal email, I will send you an invoice with various payment options. I guarantee live arrival (including shipping problems) and full satisfaction - I will replace or refund if you aren't completely happy.
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I would love to sell you some phyto, but I am glad to help if I can, whether you order or not. Good luck!

 

[Niko219]

Do you think I could purchase just one species? I am interested in the nannochloropsis. Do you think we could work out a shipment of 64 oz of just nannochloropsis rather than the blend?

 

[Eldredge]

Do you think I could purchase just one species? I am interested in the nannochloropsis. Do you think we could work out a shipment of 64 oz of just nannochloropsis rather than the blend?

Sure, I can do that. I charge one dollar extra for single species, so the total would be $37 including USPS priority mail shipping.

 

[Niko219]

Thats perfect, how should i contact you in about 2 or 3 weeks?

 

[Eldredge]

Thats perfect, how should i contact you in about 2 or 3 weeks?

Great! You can just drop me a PM if you would like. Thanks.

 

[Formulator]

Hey again!! ill show you what my set up is. I previously said that i was gonna breed clownfish at my school, but ive decided to do it at home so i can check on them more often.

Its just full of tap water right now, im going on vacation in a week so im just test running everything for when i get back. Also the camera doesnt do the light justice on how bright it is.

It sounds like you have connected with a true expert on here, but just to add my 2 cents, I think that light is overkill and a waste of high quality lighting. Phyto are not picky at all and you could get by with a simple white light and put that LED to better use growing coral.