How to tell if phytoplankton has crashed?

S

SALT

Premium Member
[I started my phytoplankton a week ago Sunday, starting with about 1/2 liter of the stuff from another user. It was light green when I first got it. I have been running an air pump and it was under a 25 watt incandesent bulb. It was getting darker over the next few days but never as dark as DTs, not even close. On Thursday night I split it into two 1 liter bottles, added 1.019 mixed salt water, 1/2 ml of f/2. It started to get darker again but now there seems to be some bigger peices floating around. I do not know if this is normal. The liquid does not look any darker but there are these dark green pieces floating arount. I would say they are about the size of an eye lash. Any input would be appreciated.]
 
[Stanley, when it turns yellow, it is dead. Typically it will be relatively clear, with a ton of sediment. But yellowish is the dead-giveaway, if you'll pardon the pun.]
 
[Cool, then the sediments OK, I checked it when I got home last night and it is getting darker. I also did some more reading and it sounds like I need to have a little stronger light, increase my bubble count and keep it a little warmer. I originally had it in my hot water tank closet but it was getting up to the mid eighties, I thought that was too hot, but according to this article.
Article on phytoplankton

that was OK. I also am just using the 25 watt incandescent bulb in a reflector and it sounds like I should try to get a couple of 24" 6500K fluorescent tubes.

The reason I got this bug in the first place is that Mitch suggested I try adding some DT's to get my pod population going. Well it did not seem to help them but my shrooms, xenia, anthelia and colt corrals are looking great.

Thanks for the reply and wish me luck.]
 
[Hi stanley, hope everythings working out OK with the culture and f/2. Sounds like your making progress. I started a new batch the day before you came by and it's just now ready to harvest. It's takes little time to get the process down but in a month you'll almost be an expert. I'm going to start my rotifer culture next weekend on Sunday. Hopefully that will turn out OK too.

I have over 2 pound of BBS eggs if you'd like some give me a holler.

It's been a long couple of weeks sorry for not getting back to on the skimmer trade. I think I hold on to it for now. I'm going to need it when I put live rock in that new tank. I'll get back with you on the deal in a little while.


James]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top