Microalgae Growing Formula - 100 ml, 200 ml, and 500 ml sizes available

Introduction:

Micro algae, also called phytoplankton, are the primary producers of the oceans. Micro algae uses the process called photosynthesis to manufacture more complex molecules with energy from the sun and building blocks such as nutrients from the surrounding waters, which algae uses for food to grow and multiply. The amount of micro algae in the oceans is large on a global scale, and is used as a primary food source for higher organisms such as zooplankton. Zooplankton are microscopic organisms which are capable of moving in the water column but are still pushed around by water currents. These zooplankton spend all of their time eating microalgae, each other, growing, reproducing, and getting eaten by higher organisms. In a nutshell: The food chain, and it starts with microalgae

Aquaculturists use microalgae for the same reason. It allows higher organisms to utilize the suns energy or manmade light. By growing microalgae, then feeding it to a growing culture of rotifers, or brine shrimp, more complex molecules are formed which can be utilized by even higher forms of life such as fish. In addition to the complex molecules which the rotifers or brine shrimp produce, fresh algae can be introduced to the higher organism by feeding the planktons. So, not only are fatty acids, nutrients, and minerals present in the biomass of the brine shrimp or rotifer, also undigested algae is present as well. Of course this is what happens in nature as the zooplanktons continuously feed on the microalgae until they themselves are consumed. The aquaculture term for this is called ‘packing’. Any live feed can be packed, and the results of packing are readily evident as the culturing of fish (high organisms) proceeds.

Culturing microalgae is relatively simple. An algae starter culture, some cleanliness, a little patience, algae nutrients and some easily obtainable equipment are all that is needed to grow microalgae. The following setup, which can be used for a number of microalgae cultures, or zooplanktons, is diagramed below.

You’ll need:

Air pump - For the above culturing system a dual diaphragm Challenger II air pump is used. Any pump sufficient to put a medium bubble into a culture jar full of water will do.

Air Hose - About 9 to 10 feet of 3/16" flexible airline tubing is needed to make the air connections.

Gang Valve - A four culture container setup requires a 5 valve gang. The extra valve is to bleed off air, saving wear and tear on the pump and to give better bubble control in the culturing containers.

Rigid 3/16" air tubing (enough to go from the bottom of your culturing container to about 2" above lip of container – you will not need airstones.)

Four 1 gallon glass jars. Note: You can use any clear container for culturing, such as 2 liter Soda bottles, gallon pickle jars, or 5 gallon water bottles. Be sure to clean the culture containers well, but no soap - bleach works well, but rinse until the bleach smell goes away - about 3 times, or use a suitable dechlorinator to neutralize the bleach.

Hydrometer. If you are culturing fresh water microalgae, then a hydrometer is not needed. If you are culturing a Salt water algae, then you’ll need a hydrometer.

Sea Salt. If you are culturing Salt water microalgae, then shoot for a salinity around 1.020 specific gravity.

Light . For the above culture an 80 watt florescent fixture is used, laid horizontally to spread the light evenly from the side. A timer set for 16 hours light / 8 hours dark is good, but the light can be left on 24 hours a day. Just watch out the cultures don’t get to hot, about 78⁰ F is a good temperature.

Guilliards f2 formula, or similar nutrients/vitamins (follow the directions on the package.)

Use new air hose and rigid tubing. If they have been previously used, then give them a bleach bath, rinse well, dechlorinate, and rinse again. Follow the diagram above to set up your culturing system. The air bubbles should be moderate so that the culture water is churning, but not so that it is bubbling out of the containers. Set the light so it is about 4 to 8 inches away from the culture containers.

If you are culturing a salt water microalgae, then use sea water, or a suitable sea salt mix (follow the directions on the product for mixing.) Whether you are using salt or fresh water, you’ll need to sterilize the water. You do this by heating it up to boiling for a few minutes, or by chlorinating the water and after 30 minutes dechlorinating the water.

When the culture water is ready , then add the Gullard's f/2 formula to your water according to the directions of the manufacturer. You can mix the nutrients and vitamins in your culture containers. Then add a small amount of algae culture to each container and turn on the light! You should see greening within the next 5 days, and when the culture is a deep green, it is ready to feed to your zooplankton.