I just started a phyto culture, but I have a few questions to clarify my understanding. For one, how do I know if my equipment is clean? I'm using seltzer bottles that I rinsed out, with some airline tubing and an air stone. I'm not sure what kind of sterilization I should have done, but the airline and the air stone I used are brand new. From what I've heard I'm trying to keep certain bacteria and rotifers out, which will eat or compete with the photo, though I'm not sure how careful I need to be. I have some airline that has been out of water for years- will that be clean enough to use? Was it a bad idea to rinse the bottles with tap water? Was it a bad idea to use the same pitcher I use for my reef tank to get the clean saltwater into the bottle? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
Also, how do I know if my culture is crashing/crashed? I don't have a real way to monitor how dark the color is getting, but my guess is that it's gotten a bit darker. I know that's a good sign, but what should I be looking for? Will the water turn clear when it crashes, or turn yellow, or what?
Also, how do I know if my culture is crashing/crashed? I don't have a real way to monitor how dark the color is getting, but my guess is that it's gotten a bit darker. I know that's a good sign, but what should I be looking for? Will the water turn clear when it crashes, or turn yellow, or what?