Phyto and LED

[Marksfish]

With the 660nm LEDs doing so well at growing algae on a screen, does anyone think they will be efficient for culturing phyto? I currently have a 20w 6500k cfl on my 2 litre culturing bottle, the consensus seems to be that other algaes grow at a better rate with the daylight spectrum.

Thanks

Mark

[SantaMonica]

That's a great question; I'm sure the aquaculture people have some answers.

[kerry]

Holy smokes!!!!!!! I have never thought about that!!!! I am sure that's a good idea!!!!! I have been wanting to culture some more Phyto in the near future and will have to try this. Let us know if you try and advise us on the out come.

[Marksfish]

I split my original culture yesterday and put 1 litre of phyto into 4 litres of water. On one side I have the 6500k 20w cfl and on the other I have a 3x 3W 660nm LED fitting. So, hopefully there will be ample light from both sides to get the culture going. If it greens up nicely, I will use another LED fitting in place of the cfl.

Mark

[kerry]

What recipe do you use for phyto?

[Marksfish]

I got given 250ml Tetraselmis by a friend that breeds fish (or is attempting to with limited success). I used 1/2 of that to make a 2L bottle, using an F2 fertiliser for feeding phyto insead of plant food. I gave that 10 days and have just harvested 1L and put into old 250ml cola bottles. The culture is a bit weak and could probably have done with a few more days to concentrate them a bit. This is my first attempt, so am enjoying the experience at the moment .

[kerry]

I have tried before a couple times but I am not sure I was even really doing anything LOL.

[Ace25]

Just wondering... why would one want or need to grow Phyto? I do think 3x 3w 660nm red will grow it much much better than a 6500k CFL, but that is simply an educated guess. I have no experience trying it, so please let us know how it goes because I am very curious as well.

[kerry]

I had a lot larger pod population when I was using the DT's phyto.

[Ace25]

I have never found a need to grow phyto because you can buy dead or live phyto in a bottle, like the type from Reef Nutrition. Copepods, rotifers, etc.. I understand why one would want to grow their own live stuff there, just phyto I never understood because it always seemed like more work than it was worth. Plus when you grow your own it seems like you always have way more than needed and end up dumping most down the sink. Stuff grows so fast and needs to by cleaned/topped up daily that I could never see how it would be possible to use all of the daily harvest. I know you can put it in the refrigerator and it will last a week or so, but you still end up with a large stockpile that spoils before you use it all. That has been my experience anyway (I tried doing a Phyto/Roti tank once, split a 10G with a divider, what a mess and a failure that was for me).