Phytoplankton questions.

coral keeper

Active Member
Hello everyone. I have a few questions about Phytoplankton. So, here they are: I want to start growing my own phytoplankton and was wondering if I can use a 10 gallon tank, I was thinking of filling up the 10 gallon tank with 10 gallons of SW and adding phytoplankton? How many watt of PCs light will I need and will a 240 gph pump work for water movement? Thanks!
 

coral keeper

Active Member
Will 2 15 watt 6500k PC bulbs be enough for the phyto? Exactly what kind of essential elements are needed for the phyto? Can I just use some of that Miracle grow my mom uses for her land plants? Can I use a power head instead of bubbles? Can I just fill up the 10 gallon tank with 10 gallons of SW instead of using 2 liter soda bottles?
 

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2608356
Will 2 15 watt 6500k PC bulbs be enough for the phyto? Exactly what kind of essential elements are needed for the phyto? Can I just use some of that Miracle grow my mom uses for her land plants? Can I use a power head instead of bubbles? Can I just fill up the 10 gallon tank with 10 gallons of SW instead of using 2 liter soda bottles?
in the order you asked the questions
I dont know
essential elements is a name brand product of trace elements
DONT USE MIRACLE GROW!!!!!
I dont know
I believe so but it would be a pain to clean and keep contaminants out with no way to seal properly
 

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2608615
Ok, why shouldn't I use miracle grow?
it makes everything taste funny.

shows how little I actually know about growing phyto. but hey I err on the side of caution. if people use it then iguess use it but I wouldnt want to dump miracle grow in my reef. I shudder to think of the algae bloom.
 

renogaw

Active Member
well.... think about it... you WANT an algae bloom in your cultures.
the phyto uses it up quite nicely, you only put in a little bit per culture.
 

coral keeper

Active Member
Ok, so Is Miracle grow all I need for the culters or do I need to add a bit of essential elements too? Hey reefkprZ, you said that a 10 gall might not work because I have to cover the top? Do I have to completely seal up the 10 gallon tank? If so, why? Can I use a power head for water movement?
 

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2609559
Ok, so Is Miracle grow all I need for the culters or do I need to add a bit of essential elements too? Hey reefkprZ, you said that a 10 gall might not work because I have to cover the top? Do I have to completely seal up the 10 gallon tank? If so, why? Can I use a power head for water movement?
I honestly dont know all these answers, But I would think you would want to prevent dust and other airborn pollutants from contaminating your culture. every phyto set up I have seen uses, pretty good preventyative measures to stop contaminants from entering the water. the aqua culture at the local university uses a "clean" room just for culturing of phyto and zoo planktons and the vats (5 feet tall by about 2 feet wide) are fairly well sealed with large airbubbles entering the bottom and exiting a small vent at the top. I can ask one of the aquaculture peole about their set up and the whys, but you may get better answers from someone who grows their own phyto regularly.
sorry I cant be more helpful on this.
 

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2609358
well.... think about it... you WANT an algae bloom in your cultures.
the phyto uses it up quite nicely, you only put in a little bit per culture.
*S* I am pictureing miracle grow unconsumed heading into a DT
envisioning endless green fields of hair algae smothering corals.

 

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2612701
I honestly dont know all these answers, But I would think you would want to prevent dust and other airborn pollutants from contaminating your culture. every phyto set up I have seen uses, pretty good preventyative measures to stop contaminants from entering the water. the aqua culture at the local university uses a "clean" room just for culturing of phyto and zoo planktons and the vats (5 feet tall by about 2 feet wide) are fairly well sealed with large airbubbles entering the bottom and exiting a small vent at the top. I can ask one of the aquaculture peole about their set up and the whys, but you may get better answers from someone who grows their own phyto regularly.
sorry I cant be more helpful on this.
Ok, hey do you think you can get me some live phytoplankton?
 

reefkprz

Active Member
I probably could but being on opposite coast you may be better off buying from closer to you as shipping may be cost prohibative. If you cant find it from anyone closer to you I am more than willing to try. provided you agree to cover the expenses for purchasing and cost of shipping.
try to get it from somewhere local (or closer). if you can't I will help you out in any way I can.
 

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2612866
I probably could but being on opposite coast you may be better off buying from closer to you as shipping may be cost prohibative. If you cant find it from anyone closer to you I am more than willing to try. provided you agree to cover the expenses for purchasing and cost of shipping.
try to get it from somewhere local (or closer). if you can't I will help you out in any way I can.
Ok, but can you find out what the shipping would be to 95605 by using usps priority mail 2-3 days shipping?
 

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2612928
Ok, but can you find out what the shipping would be to 95605 by using usps priority mail 2-3 days shipping?
I wouldn't ship a live phyto 2-3 day shipping and expect it to be alive when it gets there.2-3 days no proper refrigeration in the dark the cells will release Co2 and acidify the water. there have to be more people on here more expirienced in phyto than I am. maybe they can step in and offer options.
 

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by MX#28
http:///forum/post/2613203
Coral Keeper, what species of phytoplankton are you going to culture?
Ummm... To tell you the truth, I don't know. Do all corals require special species of phytoplankton? Can you point me in the right direction please?
 

mx#28

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2613275
Ummm... To tell you the truth, I don't know. Do all corals require special species of phytoplankton? Can you point me in the right direction please?
I wish I could answer with more knowledge on the exact needs of different corals regarding individual species of phyto, but here we go. The limited knowledge I have all comes from fish breeding info. A VARIETY of phytoplankton is considered optimal for fish breeders, but Nannochloropsis oculata is often considered best for a single species because it is high in HUFAs (highly unsaterated fatty acids) and is relatively easy to culture. I'm assuming that this would obvioulsy be the same for phyto-demanding corals, but I don't have anything scientific to back that up.
You might check out Frank Marinis online articles about phytoplankton cultures or even ask him for assistance (I've seen him post on this site). I'm sure that will get you pointed in the right direction.
 
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