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 Topic: phytoplankton
Posted: November 21 2005 at 2:53pm |
First hi all
How do I start to grow phytoplankton. What do I need as far as chemicals and equipment.
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: November 21 2005 at 3:29pm |
Maybe this thread will help...There are lots of us here culturing our own phyto so ask any questions you might have 
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7984& KW=phytoplankton
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: November 21 2005 at 8:40pm |
Welcome Tinmanny. You are posting on the best marine/reef hobbyist forum on earth. 
I have been growing phyto for my tank for several years, as have others here. You should find everything you need here, including free starter culture and ideal 5 gal. culture vessels for $7.
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jeffras
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Posted: November 21 2005 at 11:26pm |
Check out this recent link for f/2 and starter cultures.
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9028& KW=jeffras
My culture is doing quite well. This is quite cheap to setup (about the
cost of 2 live cultures from the LFS). I wish I had set this up earlier
(It takes a fair amount of time getting a full culture going from a
smaller culture). I'm using empty containers from sam's club products
and I use RO water that I microwave after adding the salt. Hopefully
this will help with contamination.
Week 1 (initial setup)
Week 2 (Doubled Culture at 7 days, this is 10 days I think)
Edited by jeffras
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Jeff Rasmussen
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: November 22 2005 at 12:18am |
 Cool Jeff.
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jeffras
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Posted: November 22 2005 at 1:30am |
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Thank you Mark! Especially for the starter culture!
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Jeff Rasmussen
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peiji
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 9:46am |
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Do you think it helps to microwave the salt water before adding the culture?
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Jared Page
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 9:57am |
 peiji wrote:
Do you think it helps to microwave the salt water before adding the culture? |
Yes it does. Microwaving kills biological contaminants. You can grow beautiful cultures without it but microwaving may help keep your cultures going longer and more dense.
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peiji
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 10:04am |
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so, after you mix the salt you microwave it, let it cool, then add the culture?
How long should you microwave?
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Jared Page
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 10:14am |
I usually do 7 minutes for 2 liters. Ive tried adding fertilizer before and after microwaving but i really didnt notice a difference in growth. You can keep pretty good cultures without microwaving though. I only microwave for my smaller starter cultures. The larger cultures i just use tap water and make sure the container is clean.
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peiji
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 10:21am |
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you've got quite the setup. Now all I need is a starter culture. I just haven't
had time yet to go to anyone's place to get one. If anyone happens to be
coming down to my neck of the woods in Highland, I'd give some bright-
colored zoo frags for a starter culture.
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Jared Page
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: November 23 2005 at 11:00pm |
I'd be happy to bring you a starter culture in exchange for a deal on that holding tank. 
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