This is honestly very easy once you have the basics set up. What You’ll Need
Starter culture: I highly recommend Reef Plantation – Nannochloropsis (Single Species)
https://reefplantation.com/products/nannochloropsis-single-species?variant=44760144380098
F/2 Fertilizer: Reef Plantation includes shipping in the price (great deal here but also on Amazon)
https://reefplantation.com/products/f-2-fertilizer
1-gallon glass jars: I use these for phyto and tisbe cultures so I got four but you just need 1 or 2.
Amazon product ASIN B071H8N3GM
Air pump works well and is adjustable and comes with tubing:
Amazon product ASIN B01EBXI7PG
Rigid airline tubing:
Amazon product ASIN B0BNM4WH4V
Light I use with a timer:
Amazon product ASIN B085CDPSMR
If you’re only running one phyto jar, a small pump is fine, this pump is adjustable but could run multiple.
Mine runs three jars total (phyto plus two tisbe cultures)
Step-by-Step
1. Mix saltwater: 1 gallon at 1.020–1.022 salinity. Lower salinity is better.
2. Cut/Drill open two wholes in the jar Lid. One air whole, one for the rigid tubing.
3. Attach the rigid tubing to the airline. Attached the airline tubing to the air pump.
4. Add starter culture: I started with a 32 oz bottle and used 16 oz to seed one full gallon of phyto and used other 16oz in tanks. Add saltwater till its ~70% full. If its too full it will bubble out of the air whole.
5. Add F/2 fertilizer: Dose per instructions, do not overdose. Different concentrations from different places. Add more F/2 if it does not get darker.
6. Set up aeration: Use rigid tubing so it stays at the bottom (about 1/4-1/2 inch from the bottom of jar). I just super glued the rigid airline tubing to the lid.
7. Aim for a steady stream of bubbles, not violent boiling, but keeping the water moving. You can post a video if you get one set up. (that air pump is adjustable which is nice)
8. Turn on the lights. Some people use lights for 16 hours. The lights I linked work for 12 hours on and off with a timer controller. You can also buy an outlet timer for $5. Any grow light works.
9. Harvest in 5-7 days. I just take ~half out & add new saltwater.
Estimated Total Costs (Single Setup)
| Item | Price |
|---|
| Starter culture | $15–$25 (16oz works or 32 oz) |
| F/2 fertilizer | $12 |
| 1-gallon jar | $10–$34.32 (I bought 4 Jars) |
| Air pump (w/ tubing) | $14.99 |
| Rigid tubing | $7 |
| LED light w/ timer | $20.49 |
| Total Estimated | $79.48 – $113.80 |
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