Phyto Culturing Setups

[fryman]

Inline filters. I wouldn't waste them for something like Nannochlorpsis sp., but if you are trying more demanding cultures or are recovering a rather contaminated one they do a good job keeping the culture clean for longer.

The air pumps hate it though , especially if the filters don't get replaced frequently.

I recommend vacuum cleaner bags and tetra whisper 100 air pumps. These will last much longer than syringe filters, although technically a syringe filter should be better due to smaller pore size (0.22 micron or 0.45micron).

If you are set on the syringe filter, using vacuum cleaner bags as a "pre-filter" should allow them to last longer before clogging. I did this for a long time but now I just use the vacuum cleaner bags. It seems to be good enough.

The tetra air pumps also have replaceable diaphrams that cost $15. This one I replaced just a couple weeks ago. The diaphrams in air pumps will tear eventually, leading to low/no airflow.

 

[martin.a]

I recommend vacuum cleaner bags and tetra whisper 100 air pumps. These will last much longer than syringe filters, although technically a syringe filter should be better due to smaller pore size (0.22 micron or 0.45micron).

If you are set on the syringe filter, using vacuum cleaner bags as a "pre-filter" should allow them to last longer before clogging. I did this for a long time but now I just use the vacuum cleaner bags. It seems to be good enough.

The tetra air pumps also have replaceable diaphrams that cost $15. This one I replaced just a couple weeks ago. The diaphrams in air pumps will tear eventually, leading to low/no airflow.

Do you mean his pump: Tetra T284AU Whisper 300 Quiet Aquarium Air Pump? Thanks!

 

[fryman]

Do you mean his pump: Tetra T284AU Whisper 300 Quiet Aquarium Air Pump? Thanks!

I don't know the model number, sorry.

It's the biggest model on this website:
https://www.tetra-fish.com/products/aeration/whisper-aquarium-air-pump

It has 2 air outlets and on the box it's labelled "up to 100 gallons", or something like that.

I like this pump because it puts out alot of air and fits in a standard vacuum cleaner bag. I cut the bag about in half, gently put the air pump inside the bag (have to be careful about the liner, it's very fragile), and tape it shut with duct tape. Since there's alot of surface area it doesn't stress the pump as much as a syringe filter, but still probably does stress the pump. But it should last at least a year, and when airflow declines I buy a new diaphram kit from Amazon.