Live Phytoplankton saltwater culture / HELP

[ScienceTeen]

I have a science experiment underway and have tried unsuccessfully this week to grow live phytoplankton ("Phyto Feast" from Reef Nutrition) in saltwater without success.
I don't have another week to try again, and would like to find an already-cultured sample this weekend (November 4-6) to keep going with experiment.
Please call (604) 220-5032 if you can point me in the right direction to purchase, or best, for free.
Nise, the Science Teen in Kitsilano, Vancouver
ps happy to share my experiment idea with you!

[monocus]

i have nanochloropus,tetraselimus and isocrysis,as well as rotofers.you will never be able to culture anything from a dead sample.it's like putting a carrot back into the soil and hoping it will grow.

[ScienceTeen]

Monocus, those terms are new to me, but I get what you're saying about putting the carrot back in the soil. That's about as much as I got by trying to culture my own phyto. Thanks for your offer!
Nise :mrgreen:

[monocus]

nanocloropus,tetraselimus and isocrysis are types of phytoplankton,rotofers are zooplankton

[ScienceTeen]

So, it's been quite a journey: bottles found, ends cut open, salt water mixed, light on, phytoplankton fed and (hopefully):mrgreen: growing. It would have been a non-starter without you. Will let you know the results. Thanks for all your help!
Nise the ScienceTeen

[ScienceTeen]

Help again, monocus! :cry: We are wondering about getting the CO2 into the tank.
We have the CO2 mix from a website (how does the mix below look to you?), and we'd mix it outside of the bottle.
Would we use the RO water, or the salt water we've already made?
We don't have the filter that's mentioned, and do we need to have one?
I don't think we'd put the CO2 straight into the bottle that already has the phyto in it, but how else would we do it?
Thanks. Nise.

"CO2 Generator

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/diy-aquarium/diy-co2-generator-611/

For any of you who are interested in building your own CO2 generator, here is how it is done. Very, very easy and super cheap!

You will need:
1x 2liter Soda Bottle, emptied
1cup Sugar
1tsp Yeast
1tsp Baking Powder
Fresh Warm Water (not from the aquarium)
CO2 Proof Tubing
Small amount of silicone sealant

1) Drink the soda, preferably in one sitting.
2) Drill a hole in the soda cap large enough so the tubing will fit snuggly.
3) Push the tubing through the soda cap so it sticks out maybe 1/2 inch through the bottom of the cap.
4) Seal around the tube on the top and bottom of the soda cap, allow it to dry and make sure that it is air tight!

Once the silicone is dry and it is air tight, it's time to create some CO2!

1) Add the sugar to the bottle (1 cup).
2) Add the yeast and baking powder (1 tsp each) on top of the sugar.
3) Add warm water (1 liter) to the bottle, leave the top 4-5 inches empty as this room is needed to produce the CO2.
4) Cap the bottle and put the other end of the tubing into the intake of your canister filter (in the tank).

The CO2 should start being produced in a day or so, you may notice the occasional bubble being released into the intake of your canister filter. The CO2 will get all mixed up inside the filter and will dissolve into the water. If you were to just place the tube in the tank and let it bubble, the CO2 would leave the tube and float right to the top of the aquarium and would be pointless.

As far as the measurements go, you can figure out what works best for you. The sugar is like food for the CO2 generation so the more sugar you use, the longer the mixture will last. The yeast is what actually reacts and creates the CO2 (along with the water and sugar of course). And the baking powder is used to help stabilize the CO2 production. The amounts stated above should last about 2 weeks.

One 2 liter should be good to supply CO2 to a tank up to about 50 gallons. For larger tanks, just build more CO2 generators!

By the way...

You can also just plug the tubing into an airstone and let it mix with the water that way (but the canister filter method will probably work better).

The CO2 may change the PH of your water."

[monocus]

that is exactly how i made co2 when i tried to grow macro algae,.from the bottle of yeast water,put an airtube with a stone to the bottom of the hatchery.you can use ordinary tap water for this.you should use an airstone as it will disburse the co2 better.if you cant find any i have a bunch here

[ScienceTeen]

Dear monocus, that's great that you confirmed how to make CO2! I have two stones to use, but thanks for offering.
I have another question (there may be a few more).:lol: We got the experiment underway, but, I realize that I'm not sure whether I have to do anything to the nanocloropus before adding CO2, i.e., siphoning off, adding of sea water, etc. Once there is evidence of phyto growth (how long will that be?), should I start a new bottle with salt water in it, and add only some of the phyto, or should I just start adding CO2 to the already growing culture? Please advise. Thanks.
ScienceTeen

[Xenoch88]

Where do you get starter cultures for these, and how do you grow them? do you have any good resources for this? I am looking into setting up a fuge for the sole purpose of growing pods, and different micro bacteria for the nutrition of my corals, and maybe, once it is setup and I get a chance, baby fish or what not. (also just cause I think it would be cool to do)

[monocus]

take the nanocloropus,add the same amount of water,and add a couple of drops of micro algae grow.start your experiment with your yeast culture co2 and don't add anymore micro algae grow.in another container do the same as above,but add a few drops of micro algae grow daily-you now have two cultures-1 being fed and the other relying on just co2.you can make a density stick for counting your cultures by using a small plastic ruler with a small 1/2" dot or stripe painted on the end-doesn't matter what colour.for every centimeter that you can see on the ruler before the dot dissapears will tell you how much your culture is growing.1 cm=27.6 2cm=19.2 3cm=13.3 4cm=8.8 5cm=5.2 6cm=2.9-these are millions of cells for nanochloropus.you can measure this daily and record your results,but wash off the ruler or better yet get two rulers and never mix your cultures.
i get my cultures from florida aqua farms and grow them in aquamedic reactors using led lights

[ScienceTeen]

Glad ScienceTeen asked. I'll pass this on, and she can get back to you with questions. She had a different idea of a control group, but this sounds like another good suggestion. She'll give you, consultant-on-tap extraordinaire, full credit!
ScienceMum

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Way too much information.

just use 2L coke bottles and G2 Fertilizer.

Water at 1.017, slow bubbles (one every 1/2 second, not to damage the cells), and lotsa light (Flouresent prefered)

Ken - BWA

[ponokareefer]

i get my cultures from florida aqua farms and grow them in aquamedic reactors using led lights

I just got my "kit" from florida aqua farms after failing to grow phyto from a store boughten brand. The kit includes a 186 page manual that has a tone of good information. I would recommend going with them seeing how thorough this kit is.

[monocus]

store bought are 99% dead cultures.they have to be shaken at least twice a day so the cultures don't smother themselves.they are also a mix of various cultures so you wouldn't get a pure strain

[BlueWorldAquatic]

I beg to differ.

We actually propogate our own live cultures, that are also avaliable in bulk.

100% live.

[monocus]

sorry-i was referring to phyto that is packaged and sent to stores,not phyto that is cultured on the premises.

[ScienceTeen]

Dear monocus:
Thank you! My experiment was successful thanks to your help. My science fair project has been approved and all the necessary information in it is very detailed. I am now certain in that area of knowledge:). I hope to return the favour by presenting to others the phenomenal effects of nanocloropus on ocean acidity!
Science Teen
p.s. your equipment is not going to waste, I have a friend who has a saltwater fish tank

[Dr_Hicks]

sorry-i was referring to phyto that is packaged and sent to stores,not phyto that is cultured on the premises.

Quote from http://wiki.reefnutrition.com/w/page/14004558/Reef%20Nutrition%20Myths%20and%20Rumors

Not all Phyto shipped to retail locations is dead.

Myth Phyto-Feast Live is not alive
Reality FALSE - Phyto-Feast Live DOES contain live microalgae. The CCMP has tested it and both our biggest competitor and a Federal Judge have accepted evidence affirming that it contains live microalgae. To see a copy of the CCMP report click here.

[monocus]

glad i could help.packaged phyto might contain live algae at the start-but after a few days it would smother itself unless shaken daily.