Culturing your own phyto

[Andresnyc93]

I’ve been looking into the idea of making my own phytoplankton. Mostly because I enjoy doing things myself and having things fresher rather than just keep splurging weekly on a bottle of live pytho by RN with an expiration date.
Does anyone have a system in place and wouldn’t mind sharing your process.

Also anyone using this system?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phyt...on-culture-reactor-poseidon-reef-systems.html
Thanks in advance!

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have my process up and running again after a few years off. Let me gather some photos and I can share. It is pretty basic to almost all others you see out there.
Glass jars, air pump, airline, rigid tubing, lights, timer, culture.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I have my process up and running again after a few years off. Let me gather some photos and I can share. It is pretty basic to almost all others you see out there.
Glass jars, air pump, airline, rigid tubing, lights, timer, culture.

Thanks! Really appreciate it

 

[KevinC]

I’ve been looking into the idea of making my own phytoplankton. Mostly because I enjoy doing things myself and having things fresher rather than just keep splurging weekly on a bottle of live pytho by RN with an expiration date.
Does anyone have a system in place and wouldn’t mind sharing your process.

Also anyone using this system?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phyt...on-culture-reactor-poseidon-reef-systems.html
Thanks in advance!

You don't need this. Culturing phyto isn't that difficult and I don't believe in spending this much on a "kit" honestly. Get a starter culture and f/2 from @Eldredge and what was mentioned above to start

 

[Andresnyc93]

You don't need this. Culturing phyto isn't that difficult and I don't believe in spending this much on a "kit" honestly. Get a starter culture and f/2 from @Eldredge and what was mentioned above to start

I’m fairly new to DIY but that’s why I love this website, always great advice/help. Appreciate it!

 

[DeniseAndy]

You can do it rather cheaply as I did when I first started to get the hang of it. First started with pop 2litres, then I saved our Orange Juice containers because they were a great fit and size with easy to drill lids (Tropicana 1.6qt). I drilled the top of some for the rigid air tubing.
I began with only two bottles running.

1.Simply put them on a shelf with an air pump with tubing to the rigid tubing , through the holes in the top to keep the cultures at a good bubble.

2.Now the light I use is a simple daylight bulb from around the house (you can get at any store). I think mine are 60W. I put the light between the cultures to get light around the bottles. I have not needed mirrors yet, but may do on my newer set up.

3. Get the cultures you want. I currently use both Nanpchloropsus and Tetraselmis. When I first started I only used Nano. I got mine from here: http://floridaaquafarms.com

4. Follow the directions on how to get the cultures out and type of water to have. I used tap water for years with my old cultures, but currently am using my RO. I keep the specific gravity around 1.020 or so.

I do not heat the cultures and never felt the need to worry one way or the other. They are located in my basement in the fish room that gets pretty hot in summer with the chiller running, bun not too cold in the winter.

I use a food that is pictured below. It also comes from same place as cultures.

 

[DeniseAndy]

My current set up looks like this. I had to restart the Nano yesterday. I have a larger air pump, glass jars (2g) and valves to pour out as needed. I simply add back in water and food whenever I decide to remove. The Tetra is doing great.

I will add more light soon. I just have not had time. However, this has been working for almost a month. I have harvested three or four times. I get 2 litres each time.

 

[Andresnyc93]

My current set up looks like this. I had to restart the Nano yesterday. I have a larger air pump, glass jars (2g) and valves to pour out as needed. I simply add back in water and food whenever I decide to remove. The Tetra is doing great.

I will add more light soon. I just have not had time. However, this has been working for almost a month. I have harvested three or four times. I get 2 litres each time.

Wow thanks so much for this! You’ve inspired me to get this done. Will share when I complete doing set up.