How to Culture Phytoplankton

This is a how to video on how to culture live phytoplankton.

(Sorry about the shaking and everything, its hard to record and do this at the same time)
Buying phytoplankton can be quite expensive, but in this video you can learn how to culture your own.
Phytoplankton can be used to feed coral, or as food for rotifers if your are breeding fish.

You will need:
1. Culture of Phytoplankton
2. Instant Ocean Salt Mix
3.R/O Water
4. Micro Algae Grow (Found Here) http://florida-aqua-farms.com/secure/agora.cgi?cart_id=8770471.9198*y02YN1&am...
5. 2 - Liter bottles (About 4)
6. Air Pump
7. Airline tubing
8. 15w Light Fixtures
9. Funnels
10. Hydrometer
11. Syringe
12. Aluminum Foil
13. Measuring Cup

Follow the directions in the video, and its pretty self-explanatory.
1. You make a mix of saltwater at 1.019 salinity levels
2. Pour half a culture (32 oz.) in half a bottle of fresh salt water
3. Add 1ml of Micro Algae Grow
4. Place in container with airline tubing to help move the water around.
5. Have 16 hours of light, 8 hours of darkness
6. Split in 7 days and repeat.

I started off with 2 bottles, and split it into 4 bottles after 7 days. I filled 3 bottles with new saltwater, and the 4th I kept to myself. Then with the 3 bottles, I split into 3 bottles again, and keep 3 liters to myself (96 oz.). I just keep the 3 bottles going over and over. If its for your own aquarium. You can start with 1 culture, split into 2, and use one for yourself, and the other fill with more saltwater and repeat. That way you dont have an overload like me. The reason I do 3 is because I bottle it and sell it on craigslist and stores. PM or comment below for ANY questions. I'm here to help.

Here is the forum I read http://www.melevsreef.com/phytosteps.html but I did not buy everything listed, just everything I have listed. I bought 2 disk and a bottle of micro algae and came out to $30
----- It is easier to start a culture from a mature culture rather than a disk, so if you need a mature culture, I can provide you with that, it's $7 a bottle, and just pay for shipping. I've sent many bottles over the mail and it usually comes out to about $10 - $11. -------

Category:

Education

Tags:

• reef
• Aquatic
• phytoplankton
• zoo
• plankton
• aquarium
• food
• marine
• fish
• biocube
• saltwater

[nachoaquafish]

Hello,

How long could you leave the bottles in the fridge? How long is the algae going to live refrigerated?

[foskett96]

how would i do this effectively because i have a new culture of phytoplankton but i also have a new culture of copepods and rotifers to feed with the phytoplankton. this is my first time doing this, please help.

[SuperGrowPlants]

bro where do you order those empty bottles that you sell it with? i would like to buy some for my storage.

[nguy522]

wow very interesting! i might start doing this too