Phyto Culturing Help - Day 1 vs Day 8 - No progress?

[grantmy]

Hey everyone, here’s a couple pictures of my phyto cultures on day one versus on day 8. On day one I took 32 ounces of phyto and split it into 2x 1 gallon containers then I dosed 5 mL of F2 per gallon and then I waited for five days. on day five I saw hardly any progress so I dosed another 5 mL of F2 and it’s currently day eight and they look pretty much exactly the same.

What’s going on? Should I keep letting it run?

Just looking for advice thanks guys

Day 1:



Day 8:

 

[KrisReef]

Looks like there has been some evaporation. I think it took about 2 weeks before I could see the new growth. I think you could use less bubbles and I don’t know if folks top off with RODI?

But I would not add f2 again.

Bump for a few real phyto farmers, I gave up because I don’t have a particle counter or a microscope to use for evaluating growth.

Bumps

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know, but maybe they are not getting enough light from the light underneath. Maybe try to have the light shine into the side of the containers?

 

[cohojoe412]

Try moving light to the side. Sometimes it takes Phyto longer to take off in newer conditions.

Also are you sterilizing water?

Definitely don’t add more fertilizer. I’ve found adding it knocks Phyto out of suspension

 

[BigAl07]

I'm FAR from a Phyto GuRu but I have had the best luck with starting/splitting cultures using a 1 to 1 ratio or Culture to SW. So for 16oz (32oz split in 2) I would have started with 16oz of SW and increased every few days once I saw the culture "take off".

I never could get a culture "started" with a thinner ratio than 1 to 1 but maybe luck wasn't on my side.

Also, while the light MAY work from below, you would have much more "Contact Area" if you move the light source to the sides of the containers. My last "sluggish" batch was due to "low light" reaching the culture because my fixture had been bumped and turned to the side slightly. I moved it back directly at the side of the bottle and within 24hrs it was going strong again.

Good luck and keep us posted.