starting culture

[partyof5]

I have placed an order from you today. I ordered just the one petri dish for the starter culture. I want to begin by making 2 bottles (2 or 5 litres each). So is it ok to put half the disc in each bottle-or is this too "dilute". Also when you say "2 plant bulbs" what type and power do u mean? I have a one 3200K energy saving light bulb rigged up-is this too low powered?

thanks in advance-look forward to starting the culture!

Matt

[FUGU]

Hi Matt - thanks for the order. The culture process will be a little slower:

1. heat treat 1 litre of water in the microwave on high for 7 min, allow to cool, and add marine salt to 22+ ppt.

2. use a small amount of the water to fully cover the algae cells, replace the lid, and place the disk close in your culture area so it can be illuminated for 24hrs. You can retain the spare water for culturing.

3. use the swab stick supplied to gently remove the cells from the plate and pour the algae mix into a clean vessel containing approx 500ml sterile salted water and add 0.25ml Micro Algae Grow. The instructions on the disk do say you can start the culture with 2 litre culture volume but you'll be safer to allow a dense culture develop first for 4-6 days before doubling up the culture and using the MAG at 1ml per 2.5 litre of culture.

4.Provide aeration and light. 1-2 x 20w bright white tubes should be fine for 2-4 x 5 litre bottles, 1-2 x 30w tubes can be used on 6-12 x 5 litre bottles. For your 3200k bulb I really don't know how this equates - do you have anymore spec on it or has this been used successfully by anyone else?

Your items should be going out this PM. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers