Phytoplankton Propagation Station is ready to get up and running

[DerpFish]

Just finished getting the phytoplankton propagation station set up and ready for cultures.

All of the "-ade" bottles that my boyfriend drinks finally came of use, as they were the perfect size and sturdy enough to be used as the phytoplankton containers. I just had to drill a couple of holes in the top of each, pop some rigid airline tubing in, and connect them to a variable speed air pump. They are all lit by a LED grow light bar behind them.

I was able to get some good turbulence from the bubbles and the light is surprisingly bright, so I'm hopeful that this set-up will work well for me.

I have three strains of marine phytoplankton ordered from Algae Research and Supply; Tetraselmis, Isochrysis galbana, and Porphyridium cruentum.

Once the cultures start producing I plan on feeding directly to my mixed reef and also starting a couple of copepod cultures.

I'm hoping that by providing my tank and live foods a strong base of nutrient rich phytoplankton that I can improve my reef tank's overall health and appearance.

 

[MnFish1]

My comment - I have never had a phytoplankton propagation station. IMHO - unless you have a specific reason for it - dont do it.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Phyto.... the Mothers Milk of the ocean... I can't imagine NOT using it.
But everyone has different successes and failures in this hobby for very different reasons.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I have found that just culturing 1 strain and 1 strain of pods is a huge amount of work to keep up on. For first couple months it’s cool but then the weekly harvesting added to all my other system chores is a lot. I’m very glad I did not decide on multiple strains.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

IMO use larger containers and many less. Gallon size glass mason jars work well. I say this because Phyto cultures generally need to be cleaned after a week or two when harvested the bottle you have will be very hard to clean whereas a gallon mason jar you can stick your Arm in with rubbing alcohol and then let air dry for an hour and reuse

 

[Daveobrien]

Just about to harvest my 14th "weekly" (7-10days) harvest. Chose to go the Poseidon Reef PhytoTank route, just because it was turn key. Growing all Nano for now.

Weekly harvests are <1hr, thanks to growing phyto in plastic bags lining each jar. Sterilization is as simple as New Bag, New Air hose (RO tubing), and quick swipe of the lid with rubbing alcohol.

PM me if you want a link to my grow threads on our club site.

Currently dosing about 32oz of phyto a day into my 250 display tank. Only way to make this practical ($) is to grow it myself.

 

[DerpFish]

My comment - I have never had a phytoplankton propagation station. IMHO - unless you have a specific reason for it - dont do it.

Fair enough. I personally believe there is a benefit to creating a diverse microbiome in my reef tank which includes phytoplankton. I am currently feeding Algaebarn's phytoplankton and enjoy setting up systems like this so I figured I'd just grow it myself.

 

[DerpFish]

Phyto.... the Mothers Milk of the ocean... I can't imagine NOT using it.
But everyone has different successes and failures in this hobby for very different reasons.

My thoughts exactly. Phytoplankton is one of the first links in the natural oceanic food chain, so it is something I want in my reef. But everyone is going to find their own way to run their tank.

 

[DerpFish]

IMO use larger containers and many less. Gallon size glass mason jars work well. I say this because Phyto cultures generally need to be cleaned after a week or two when harvested the bottle you have will be very hard to clean whereas a gallon mason jar you can stick your Arm in with rubbing alcohol and then let air dry for an hour and reuse

I definitely do plan on getting larger containers when I upgrade my tank, so I'll keep the mason jars in mind. Right now I just dump a bit of rubbing alcohol in each and swish it around a bit before dumping it and letting it dry.

 

[DerpFish]

Just about to harvest my 14th "weekly" (7-10days) harvest. Chose to go the Poseidon Reef PhytoTank route, just because it was turn key. Growing all Nano for now.

Weekly harvests are <1hr, thanks to growing phyto in plastic bags lining each jar. Sterilization is as simple as New Bag, New Air hose (RO tubing), and quick swipe of the lid with rubbing alcohol.

PM me if you want a link to my grow threads on our club site.

Currently dosing about 32oz of phyto a day into my 250 display tank. Only way to make this practical ($) is to grow it myself.

32oz a day would absolutely break the bank if you were buying it

 

[ReefOnTheBayou]

My comment - I have never had a phytoplankton propagation station. IMHO - unless you have a specific reason for it - dont do it.

Can you elaborate?

 

[DerpFish]

After starting with just 50ml of each species, I've finally gotten to the point where I could split the cultures into the second sets of bottles. I'm actually pretty surprised at how quickly these are growing.

 

[jason24365]

I have found that just culturing 1 strain and 1 strain of pods is a huge amount of work to keep up on. For first couple months it’s cool but then the weekly harvesting added to all my other system chores is a lot. I’m very glad I did not decide on multiple strains.

to be honest weekly harvesting i found to not be ideal, they might breed but if you let them quadtriple before harvesting then ever week or 2 will have good results