Culturing phytoplankton without fertilizer

[smhray]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if it is possible to culture phytoplankton without fertilizer like f2 or other products. Also is there some other items I can use to fertilize? This is my first time trying to culture phytoplankton and I’m having trouble locating f2.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Amazon.com : guillards f2

@andrewkw , I'm located in the States, any sources up in Canada?

And no. It's not possible to culture phytoplankton without fertilizer. The phytoplankton we work with are not diazotrophs (take in atmospheric N2 nitrogen), and thus need nitrogen supplementation as well as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and a couple of other things. You could try culturing with skimmate as a fertilizer, or better, miracle grow liquid fertilizer, but really Guillard's F/2 is highly recommended.

 

[andrewkw]

Here you go

Phytoplankton fertilizer - F/2 Guillard Medium

250ml bottle. Store in dark and cool. 1ml syringe provided.

canadaaquamarine.com

Regis is a great guy to deal with who is very knowledgeable.