+Jakedoza Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 So a couple of weeks ago I decided to start growing my own phytoplankton since it can get rather expensive buying it, and it is pretty easy to grow. I did some research online and followed some general directions. What you need: aquarium air pump Air tubing light timer simple CF light or small aquarium light At least 2 2ltr bottles Miracle grow all purpose plant food Kent essential elements salt water (Not from your aquarium) a starter culture Since I had all of this equipment already, all I had to purchase was the starter culture. I bought this starter from RCA. I then took a couple of empty 2 ltr bottles and pulled the labels off, rinsed them out thoroughly,and drilled a hole in the lids large enough for the airline to fit through. I also drilled a second hole in the lids for air to be released. I started with one bottle I then filled the bottle with fresh clean salt water. Added 5ml Miracle grow all purpose plant food. 1ml Kent Essential Elements, and then added a good amount of the starter culture. I did not use all of it in the event that the culture crashed. I then put the culture under the cabinet with the light and air pump. The light timer is set for 16hrs of light and 8 hours of darkness. The air pump works 24/7. Every day I would turn the bottle upside down real quick just to stir up the contents on the bottom After 5 days I took the empty 2ltr and added everything except the starter culture. I then poured the mixed contents in a pitcher. I poured half of the culture that was growing into the new 2ltr and then topped off the 2 bottles with the new mixed water from the pitcher. They have sat for another 5 days and now I have 2 2ltr cultures ready for harvest and ready to dose into my tank. Here is where I originally got the info on starting my phytoplankton cultures. http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Yep, I culture my own as well. I use acrylic "phyto reactors" that I made, but the principles are the same. It's sure cheaper than buying the stuff from the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 How long do you let it go before you start harvest? Will it get darker green at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Mine usually "cooks" for about 10-12 days before it is ready. It gets so dark you can't see through it. I will post a pic for you when I get in from work tonite. I started mine with cultures from Florida Aqua Farms, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I also use their phyto fertilizer, have had really good results with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Once you have an uncontaminated culture, it does not matter where it came from. Using phyto reactors with a continuouus drip and feed has always been a goal of mine. Because of my laisser fair attitude, I have settled on a vegatable filter and a mud filter in my refugium. Each produces a different food for the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Hi Jake, any updates on your phyto? I know it's been 10 months, so surely you have something to show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 eh.. I got lazy and let it all go.. story of my life.. I wan't to get it going again, but finding it hard to motivate myself since my tank isn't in need of it as it once was. I get a good film of algae that grows on the glass that I scrub off every couple of days. I figure that serves as a good feeding. Anyone else have any thoughts on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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