Mercer of Montana Live Phytoplankton & Microalgae Starter Culture Disks
Tetraselmis or Nannochloropsis
Mercer of Montana Phytoplankton
First, we need to let you know:
While we adhere to the strictest laboratory protocols to maintain healthy viable microalgae, we do not recommend consuming our microalgae. While we aim to maintain pH levels and sample our batches under microscope, we do not exercise FDA-level pH consistencies and pathogen testing to verify products are free from pathogens that may be detrimental to your health.
Our live phytoplankton is great for feeding you tank or inoculating your own home culture.
Table of Contents
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1. What is Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the surface of water bodies, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers. They are the primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, meaning they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web. Phytoplankton play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. This process not only supports marine life but also contributes significantly to the oxygen we breathe.
The importance of phytoplankton extends beyond their role as a food source. They help regulate the Earth's climate by sequestering carbon dioxide, which can mitigate the effects of climate change. Additionally, phytoplankton influence water quality and clarity, affecting the health of aquatic ecosystems. Their presence is a key indicator of water body health, as changes in phytoplankton populations can signal shifts in nutrient levels, pollution, or other environmental changes.
Specific strains of phytoplankton, such as Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis, offer particular benefits for aquariums. Nannochloropsis is known for its high nutritional value, rich in essential fatty acids and proteins, making it an excellent food source for filter feeders like corals, clams, and certain fish species. Tetraselmis, on the other hand, is valued for its ability to improve water quality and stimulate the natural immune systems of aquatic organisms. It contains a variety of vitamins and amino acids that promote the health and growth of marine life. Incorporating these strains into aquariums can enhance the overall well-being of the aquatic environment, ensuring a balanced and thriving ecosystem.
2. Live Phytoplankton & Culture Disks
At Mercer of Montana, we offer phytoplankton in two forms: a liquid suspension with filtered saltwater and growth media, or phytoplankton cells in a petri dish with nutrient agar. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so let's delve into them to help you select the option best suited for your needs.
The liquid suspension is perfect for immediate feeding, beginning a home culture, or resetting your current culture; it can last for a couple months if stored correctly. However, since live phytoplankton require moderate temperatures and proper gas exchange to function, shipping this live product carries the risk of cell death due to the rigors of transit.
Conversely, the resting phytoplankton cells in our petri dish are much more stable and can remain viable for 6-8 months until reactivation with a mix of filtered water and growth media. However, starting cultures from the disk is slightly more challenging, and may not be the best avenue for hobbyists struggling with successful cultivation. International customers may prefer the disks due to their resilience during customs and transit, but setting up a home culturing station is necessary to revive these dormant cells.
3. Feeding Your Tank
There are many different uses for phytoplankton, online forums are a great resource to discover how others feed and maintain their tanks.
We recommend targeted dosing. Direct at individual recipients by gently spraying 1-2mL each. Suspend all water movement, including skimmer, for 15-20 minutes wile dosing. Begin dosage twice per week, increasing frequency as recipients and filtration have adjusted to regimen.
4. Inoculating Your Home Culture
Whether you are feeding your tank, starting your own culture, or resetting a current culture, our live phytoplankton arrives ready to use.
There are many different ideas on ratios throughout the forums. Through our trials, we’ve found the ratio factors for the highest success rates include:
Start as close to a 1:1 ratio of starter phytoplankton to culture growth media volume as possible. We’ve successfully started cultures with far lower ratios (less phytoplankton and more culture growth media), but those cultures had a high likelihood of crashing.
Avoid shocking the new cells with too much new volume, by keeping the starter culture volume small. We found the highest success rates with a 64oz starter vessel and once optimal density is established, gradually increasing vessel volume until the desired volume is achieved.
Around the 10-week mark of a culture, it is common for cultures to face potential crashes or difficulties. To ensure the vitality of your phytoplankton cultures in your tank, we advise resetting or restarting the culture at this stage.
5. Starting Your Culture Disk
To start your own batch culture, remove seal and add approximately 10mL of sterile filtered water. Return lid and let stand for 12-24 hours under normal room lighting. Using included sterile swab, very gently sweep and stir green cells from the bottom of the dish, careful not to pull up any nutrient agar from beneath.
Once all cells are free from bottom of disk, pour the liquid into your starter vessel with prepared growth media. For more information on mixing your growth media and the remaining steps for starting a home culture, please see our “Home Culture Setup Guide” here.
6. Storing Your Phytoplankton
Live Phytoplankton in Liquid Suspension
Bring your product in from external temperatures as soon as possible. Invert bottle several times to add settled cells back into suspension. Open bottle and set down for a few minutes to allow for gas exchange. Replace cap and place in refrigerator door. Invert bottle at least daily to keep cells in suspension and as well as opening the lid to allow gas exchange. The shelf life if stored correctly can be up to a few months. Foul smell or cells that refuse to return to suspension are signs of cell death. Do not use product if cell death has occurred. If pouring algae down a drain, follow with drops of vinegar or bleach to kill any live cells and prevent growth in drains.
Phytoplankton Culture Disk
Bring your product in from external temperatures as soon as possible. Keep dish sealed and wrapped in thermal protection until ready for use. Store in dry, dark, cool area. No need for refrigeration. Each dish contains billions of cells and is sufficient to begin a home culture. (depth of color may vary)
7. Accessories Shop and Product Links
Rigid Air Tubes - 4pk
Flexible Air Tubing - by the foot pricing
Easy Clean Glass Culture Vessels - 64oz and 1 Gallon options
Sterile Culture Swabs - 4pk
Sterile Dosing Syringe with Dosing Caps - 4pk
Waterproof Dry-Erase Vessel Label - with Marker
Phyto
