Phytoplankton culture water

Thalia

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I have a bin of mixed salt water that's a bit old. I checked it today and it has 2ppm nitrite and 20 ppm nitrate, 0 ammonia. Clearly some sort of biofilm has occurred. It is heated and has a powerhead in it. Can I use this to culture phyto or does it have to be fresh Ro/salt mix?
 

IceNein

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It should be fresh rodi saltwater mix and all tools should be sterilized. its important to keep the culture free from any contaminants.
This was my thinking, but I wasn't really sure. The nitrates and nitrites aren't a problem, but something is living in the water, and who knows if that will be incompatible with the phyto culture. Maybe not, but it is definitely a risk.
 

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