PhytoStart for PhytoBreeder 500ml

PhytoStart 500 ml Grotech – culture preparation for PhytoBreeder

PhytoStart is a starter solution designed for the cultivation of phytoplankton, particularly Nannochloropsis salina, in PhytoBreeder reactors. It allows for the rapid initiation of a stable culture and ensures the production of live phytoplankton.

Main Features

Culture Preparation

Pour PhytoStart into the PhytoBreeder reactor and then fill with saltwater. Next, add the recommended amount of PhytoFood Grotech. After 1 to 2 days, the liquid returns to its initial color and the culture begins to develop.

Regular harvesting of the phytoplankton, combined with additional nutrient supply, helps prolong the active period of the culture.

Recommended Filling Procedure

Fill the PhytoBreeder with approximately 5 liters of freshly prepared seawater, with a density between 1.022 and 1.024, then add the PhytoStart preparation. The water can come from the tap, an osmosis unit or be soft to moderately hard, with the addition of sea salt.

At this salinity, phytoplankton cells between 10 and 22 microns develop. Too high a salinity results in cells that are too small, which cannot be filtered by certain corals.

Then add the appropriate amount of PhytoFood Grotech. The culture must be strongly aerated to allow sufficient CO2 absorption. To do this, connect an air pump to the PhytoBreeder and activate the agitator.

Culture Monitoring

After 1 to 2 days, the water changes from light green to dark green. After about 6 to 7 days, the nutrients are consumed, and growth slows. It is then possible to double the volume with freshly prepared seawater and add PhytoFood again.

The culture should never become too light, as it risks collapsing. The optimal concentration of nitrates or total nitrogen is between 40 mg/L and 100 mg/L, without dropping below 10 mg/L for long periods.

Maintenance and Safety

The PhytoBreeder should be thoroughly cleaned about every 8 weeks. The culture can be temporarily transferred to a container, the reactor cleaned, and then the culture reintroduced.

It is recommended to keep a small amount of phytoplankton in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This sample allows for the quick restart of a culture in case of failure.

Storage Conditions

PhytoStart should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 4 and 10 °C.

Package Contents

1 bottle of PhytoStart Grotech, capacity 500 ml.