Hey Rob,

Finally got the VidCast to work and loved it. I was all ready to start my own phyto culture then saw you show. So I had to go out and get those rubbermaid storage cans instead of two liter bottle. Could questions:

1. Did you start your culture from someone else or did you order the culture discs? If you ordered them, is something that you need to do to prepare them. I read that you drip some culture medium on them and let them sit in the frig for 24 hours, does this sound right?

2. Since I am now using the rubbermaid container like you, how many mililters are you adding? I also purchased the 2 gallon rubbermaid container to mix my medium. From what I read it is something like 5ml to 1 liter, just wondered what you did?

Thanks

hey, awesome, im glad you are gettign this going.. :)


1. Did you start your culture from someone else or did you order the culture discs? If you ordered them, is something that you need to do to prepare them. I read that you drip some culture medium on them and let them sit in the frig for 24 hours, does this sound right?
you can start from the disc or from a liquid, Erik from algagen offers both types as "starter cultures" the discs are a bit more work. as you mentioned, yes, you haev to wet them and let them sit for a day before you use them. then you have to use a sterile swap and scoop the phyto off the disc and get it into the container. This too can get to be a bit troublesome.

all-in-all, the discs are a good way to go, but if you can start from a liquid starter culture i thing it woudl be easier.

you can support Talkingreef by getting the starter cultures from Algagen.
seahourcesource.com is one of there distiributers, adn the products are here
http://www.seahorsesource.com/cgi-bin/shop/search.cgi?&category=Foods-Algaes

if you have question dont hesitate to ask him, hes very helpful

2. Since I am now using the rubbermaid container like you, how many mililters are you adding? I also purchased the 2 gallon rubbermaid container to mix my medium. From what I read it is something like 5ml to 1 liter, just wondered what you did?

mililiters of what to what? not sure what you are refering to here.
if you can clarify, i will let ya know.. :)

mililiters... sorry. I meant to say, when you make your culture medium in your 2 gallon rubbermaid container, how much Micro Algae grow are you adding?

I already have my disc from FAF, wish I would have seen the link to Algagen sooner. They have been sitting in the frig for about a week.

Thanks again.

no prob.
i add about a teaspoon per gallon to make my culture medium

Forgot one last question, I picked up a set of those 24" plant lights. They are two 75 watt T8 bulbs - does not say the K rating. Will that work?

yep they will be fine., probably more than enough for what you need.
mine are standard 48" T12 bulbs..