Phyto culture
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: SPS
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions SPS corals.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29024
Printed Date: November 24 2024 at 9:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Phyto culture
Posted By: Bryguy514
Subject: Phyto culture
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 12:59pm
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Just wondering how fast cultures can darken up. Here is a few pics.
Before 12 hours later
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Replies:
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 1:06pm
| Just took a look at mine and they haven't gotten dark that fast. Of course it could be because I am using a culture instead of a live culture. |
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 1:20pm
That made alot of sense!  |
dons wrote:Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 4:55pm
| I got my starter culture from someone off the board just last night. |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 6:37pm
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i dont know but could you tell me about your sistem i want to try this but dont have a clue on what to do ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 7:02pm
| http://melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html - http://melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html Check out this link. I pretty much followed those steps. Ill let ya know how it goes. |
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 7:16pm
| Don't order the culture from the place in Florida! You can get it from someone here online and it'll save you $40. Mine is on day 2 so I would be happy to give you a started after this one matures. It usually takes about 7-10 days the way I did it or 7 days the way bryguy did it. |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 7:27pm
| How did you do it diffrent from what I did? And I agree ask around on the board ppl on this board are very generous and will save you lots of money. |
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 7:51pm
| Same just that I got the culture plates from Florida and you got a culture from someone that had already been making the Phyto. I guess what you got is already active and I have to wait a bit longer for it to come out of some sort of stasis. Your way was much better and definitely cheaper. |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 9:23pm
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ok thanks guys now i need a start ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 9:45pm
| I was told my culture may not be as nutritional since it may be contaminated with other phyto species. After Im done experimenting I think I may order a more nutritional pure species. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 8:51am
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This is semi-true.
Are you looking to raise rotifers with them, or just raise phyto? If you are raising rotifers then it is advised to raise Nanno. But if you are raising phyto to feed directly to your tank then something like Iso is better.
Not that it matters much, but most current experts would tell you to not worry much (or even at all) about your phyto species, just worry about raising the rotifers. Side note- if anyone wants rotifers I'll give them to you free. It looks like I'm moving a rotifer culture system to my basement next week. So after that you can just swing by with a bottle and I'll fill it.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 8:56am
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Thanks Adam, I have never really added rotifers to my tank. Can you tell me the benefit of them? |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 3:36pm
| Hows your culture going?? |
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 5:20pm
| It is actually looking pretty good. I will take a picture of it tonight and get it posted. It still has till Wednesday, that would be day 10. I am just going by the color I have seen online. I may order the little dipstick that you can use to see if it is ready. |
Posted By: dons
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 5:21pm
| The one thing I was wondering is if there was an ideal temp. that it had to be kept at. I know that under the stairs where I have it growing it is a little chilly, probably around 70 maybe a bit lower. |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 5:40pm
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Im just curious how dark it is suppose to get before u can harvest it. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 6:57pm
Let me guess... you weren't at the August meeting????
I don't know if you want the long version or the short version. Short version- phyto is good, but not much can eat it. Rotifers can eat it, and they feed lots of mouths. Most advanced hobbyists will tell you that growing phyto is a some what of a waste of energy. You should be growing rotifers. Therefore, some people grow phyto to feed to their rotifers, others buy phyto to feed their rotifers (that is what I do).
But then again some people grow phyto just to feed to their tank, and they do well with it.
Soooo, the basic advise is to feed your phyto to rotifers first, then add rotifers to your tank.
If you want a long version, call me.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 8:38pm
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By feedin phyto to your tank are you not just feeding all the rotifers and other zooplankton in your tank?? I have heard most corals such as SPS do not consume phyto. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 9:10pm
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Yes, you are feeding those things. But you are also feeding your skimmer, your filter sock, making the water cloudy, and potentially raising nutrient levels.
It doesn't mean it is a bad thing to do. Tons of people add phyto. It is just recommended to add rotifers if you can, instead of phyto.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: ReefBones
Date Posted: November 22 2008 at 6:31pm
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Hay Adam .. I would love to get some Rotifers from you .. when would be a good time? ------------- 140 gallon Reef 65 gallon Reef 55 gallon Aggressive www.thesalttank.com 801-865-6074 "encourage other divers and sea enthusiasts to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but bubbles" |