How to Grow Live Phytoplankton at Home for a Thriving Aquarium

[@richmansreef]

One of the best videos I have watched on this. I definitely will try this

[@reefrookies]

You should! And keep me updated!

[@richmansreef]

@@reefrookies I will definitely do

[@MrMonks]

Great video!

[@reefrookies]

Thanks!

[@jonclark8155]

Cool good video

[@reefrookies]

Thanks for the visit

[@EIY_Kumar]

Great Video

[@reefrookies]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SeanLaughs]

this is badass, i was using algae barn phyto and it worked awesome. Thank you going to try this next.

[@reefrookies]

Awesome! Jump in our FB group and let is follow your progress. Reef Rookies with Logan

[@sjcharles]

Awesome!

[@reefrookies]

Glad you think so!

[@hunterwelch7175]

Great video, best I have watched. One question - is there a certain ratio of starter culture to saltwater I need to abide by?

[@reefrookies]

Not really. The one I have linked from Mercer I use half of that bottle to 1 gallon.

[@richardsonbrandon08]

After day 10. What is the process of adding it to the tank, and how much? Dosing machine, maybe?

[@reefrookies]

No dosing specifics required. Its very hard if not impossible to over do it. I literally just dump a big cup in every other night at lights out. Too little wont do much. 1-5ml per gallon is fine.

[@Trioceros_h]

@@reefrookies should the filtration be stopped during feeding?

[@reefrookies]

@@Trioceros_h Yeah, ita beneficial to do so.

[@Khris_1013]

Can you make a video on how to culture pods please

[@reefrookies]

Its on the list of things to do!! You subscribed so ya dont miss it?

[@jamesbroderick3660]

What if you only have a 30 gallon long? How much should you use then?

[@jamesbroderick3660]

And how often do you need to add them?

[@jamesbroderick3660]

And once you’re done. Do you just pour the whole 1 gallon into the tank?😊

[@reefrookies]

To start the culture Id still only use half the bottle of phyto, itll take longer to grow but itll get there.

[@reefrookies]

NOOOOO. 5-10ml a day

[@jamesbroderick3660]

@@reefrookies ok. Thank you sir and btw The Tok brought me over here

[@ksimp777]

How do you continue the cycle of growing them? Leave a percentage in the jar and refill with saltwater?

[@reefrookies]

Exactly, I harvest half from each jar to make a gallon of harvested phyto wich is good in the fridge for a month :) Then just refill with saltwater.

[@hunterwelch7175]

​@reefrookies after splitting the culture do you add more f2?

[@reefrookies]

@hunterwelch7175 yep. I add a full dose again.

[@mescobar12me]

I've had difficulties with multiple LED strips wrapped around glass/plastic 1gallon jugs with duct tape. Some LED segments look to have gotten shorted, after soldering the working segments together I was able to get another culture before more segment shorted once again. How reliable have the LED strips been for you? I suppose I could explore water resistant LED strips to wrap around the jugs. However, the cost of replacing the LED strips have me contemplating using an external plant light instead.

[@reefrookies]

Im also gonna switch myself. Ive used the strips with good luck but Ive had the same problem myself.

[@andrewt-258]

Do you top off with rodi when the culture evaporated? Im on day 3 of the culture and the culture evaporated a little bit

[@reefrookies]

No I haven't had to, my evap is low enough that I dont need to top off. But, if I needed to yes I would, otherwise the salinity would change.

[@aymanmorsy19]

Again , another great simple video , thank you , I have some questions, after my first culture can I use some of it for the next culture? Where to keep my F2 ?

[@reefrookies]

Yes you can! I leave half in the jar to keep it going. Keeping the F2 in the fridge will extend its usefulness.

[@aymanmorsy19]

Thank you , are we using the white light ?

[@reefrookies]

@@aymanmorsy19 yes, the best are plant growing lights specifically but just about any will do.

[@aymanmorsy19]

@@reefrookies thank you

[@Noodleanrgry]

the salt level those matter over 10.22 you planton will be smaller in size, for filter feeder this is important as if to small they can not take it out of the water, better to keep under 10.22

[@reefrookies]

Did you mean 1.022? Interesting! Thanks for the info!

[@Noodleanrgry]

@@reefrookies yes indeed 1.022 typed on phone :D

[@richmansreef]

You can get these LEDS at 5 and below.

[@reefrookies]

Good to know! Im upgrading lights.

[@andrewt-258]

Is it possible to use sunlight? I heard people said sunlight is better than LED. Is direct sunlight harmful to the culture and can I switch to LED if sunlight is not enough in the winter?

[@reefrookies]

Honestly Im not sure. Very interesting thought though!

[@misterx5814]

Why not so just it in the tank with clowns and let them reproduce?

[@reefrookies]

There is not sufficient nutriton inside the aquarium to breed phyto.