Phytoplankton culture

[S7v7n44]

Hi, just been on ur website and purchased a Phytodisk Nannochloropsis and a bottle of 175 ml feed Micro Algae grow as I wish to start producing my own cultures. Any recommendations on the best way of starting a culture.

Thanks

[FUGU]

Hi, thanks for the order. Here's a basic guide from: http://www.zmsystems.co.uk/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=display&ref=zmphyto

The phyto disks are specially prepared for long term storage (up to 12 months) and suitable for the infrequent user or as a backup to active cultures that may have crashed or become cross contaminated.

For first 24 hrs add sterile salt water to the dish so that the algal cells are submerged and then place under constant light.

Use a sterile swab to gently rub the algal cells from the agar plate, add to 500 mls of freshly prepared salt water, and add fertiliser at 0.2ml per 500ml of culture. Provide gentle aeration.

After 1 week the culture should have matured and ready for splitting or dilution. Add fertiliser at 1ml per 2.5 litre culture.

Hope that helps. Cheers,

Fugu

[S7v7n44]

Hi, have read your site info prior to order but now confused. You quote that these disks are used as a backup- are these not the best method then in producing a live culture for the new comer? I have been advised by others that some live phytoplankton solutions purchased in a bottle/container can not be split or used to start a culture and therefore why I had gone for this disk - have I been mislead. I am happy to keep this in store if you can recommend a better way of starting a culture and/or fertilizer should I have misunderstood.

Thanks

[FUGU]

Hi - no need to worry. The disks will provide a new culture should you lose your cultures, your culture has a high proportion of dead/old cells, you are worried about contamination, or don't wish to run cultures year round. I'm not certain why a 'live culture' is being sold with the instructions that it can not be grown/split......... sounds a little bonkers. If you get the chance to see Tetraselmis under the microscope it should look really busy like speeding traffic. Proceed with setting up your new culture from the disk - any other queries just ask.

Cheers

Fugu

[S7v7n44]

Hi - no need to worry. The disks will provide a new culture should you lose your cultures, your culture has a high proportion of dead/old cells, you are worried about contamination, or don't wish to run cultures year round. I'm not certain why a 'live culture' is being sold with the instructions that it can not be grown/split......... sounds a little bonkers. If you get the chance to see Tetraselmis under the microscope it should look really busy like speeding traffic. Proceed with setting up your new culture from the disk - any other queries just ask.

Cheers

Fugu


Hi, Thanks for the reply, items came today after ordering them on Sat- great service.

I don't think you understood my last post but basically I have been buying bottles of phytoplankton from my LFS since I have setup my 700l marine tank & sump. With adding approximately 100ml plus a day this is a big expensive - however I must say the corals and live rotifers/copepods love it and you can certainly see the results.

I was told from tmy LFS that this was live cultures suspended by refrigeration - however they also advised that this could not be used for culture purposes - hence my earlier comments. Also based with the info on your product page, only stating 'This phytoplankton algae has been cultured for invertebrate culture at ZM. Invertebrates fed on live algae will have a higher natural HUFA content and therefore increase their nutritional value to fry' - is of very similar lines as to the advise from the LFS and not pacific in stating that this culture can be used to start your own culturing.

Now having understood your replys I am going to keep the latest purchased disk in the fridge and re-purchase 2500ml of 'containerized' live phytoplankton as I can use half to start a culture and use the other half whilst its brewing - lol.

Thanks for the help. :thumbsup:

[FUGU]

You're welcome!

Cheers

Fugu