Culturing Phyto - Video Podcast Episode 39

[Reefbaby]

man Wildeone - I can't keep up with you! You're doing one new thing after another and it all looks great!

[wildeone]

Thanks for thelink Rob, i couldn't find it!

I didn't use a coupon code, didn't know about it. No big deal though.

One question I have is, the nice guy from www.seahorsesource.com who called me to verify my online order, was very nice and helpful. He asked me what size bottles I was using and I told him 2QT. He said whoa, this may an overkill amount of culture. He said they use the 250 ml culture to start like three 10 gallon hex tanks. In the end I figured I would use what I need and see if anyone local needed some.

How much did you use to start?

Do you know how long I can keep it? (may be a ? for algagen)

What size jars did you use? The don't look 1 gallon in the video.



REEFBABY: I am on a roll; I am a driven kind of guy. I always have to be tinkering...its in my blood! Thanks for the compliment!

[Rob]

yes, hes right, 2 QT is WAY to much..
the smaller one is what you need.

im not sure now long the culture will stay fresh before use, i woudl post to the Algagen forum and ask

i use 1/2 gallon jars (2 QT)

[wildeone]

yes, hes right, 2 QT is WAY to much..
the smaller one is what you need.

I don't think I did a good job of explaining that.

He said the 250ml culture was used to start 3 three 10 gallon hext tanks. he thought it was overkill for my 2 qt jars.

[Rob]

do they offer anything smaller?

[wildeone]

No I asked. It's no big deal, it was only like $25, but I just wondered how you handled it (since you like a God around here ), but it sounds like maybe your cultures were different.

[Rob]

yes, mine were different, as i started them a long time before i knew of algagen

and im no god around anywhere, just a hobbyist like you..

[m8298]

What would happen if the culture was in the light 24 hours? I would like to try growing some next to, or above my fuge. Or if I did that, would I be better off to time my lights 16 hours for the fuge?

[Rob]

i dont knwo the technically reason, but all documentation i have read stated to give them a 16 hours photo cycle..
im sure it has to do them them need a break from photosynthesis in some way

[m8298]

Do you think it's a dumb idea to change the lighting on my refugium to 16 hours to try that? I've alway left it on 24 hours. I use normal output florescents on the refugium.

[Rob]

refugiums are usually best lit on a reverse cycle from your tank.
have the lights in the fuge on when your tank lights are off. this helps add stability to your system and PH. however, light is only required if you have macroalgae (or other photosynthetics organisms) in there.

[Rob]

Macro algae discussion moved here:
Prevent macro algae from going sexual

[m8298]

I used to do the reverse light cycle between the refugium and tank. Someone once told me it was better to leave the refugium lights on 24 hours. I don't remember why though. I currently grow Chaetomorpha and Caulerpa in there, mostly Chaeto. I pull the Caulerpa out and put it in the main tank for the fish and Sea Hare to pick at.

Maybe I'll go back to 8 hours of tank light and 16 hours of refugium lights.