Very nice idea! I'm very interested in the experiment. I culture phytoplankton and copepods as well so this idea could save me a lot of time on my tank. Keeping my fingers crossed! Hoping for the best! Can't wait for the update.
Ok I see what you did there, nice homage to Peter McKinnon, coffe B-roll intro!! And I could tell you were holding back saying “Bwhats up!!” Haha anyway great idea on the reactor we’re all waiting for an update! I have a mandarin in my tank as well so this could be an awesome addition and diy for my 115g! Keep it up Dev!! Btw ur tanks is my inspiration to get a peninsula style tank even tho yours isn’t in peninsula mode right now.👍🏻👍🏻🐠🐟
hahah good eye! I love coffee and peter is great for inspiration :P I think Rev 2 of this project will be a dual chamber one with a dosing pump.. Ill try and get back to it once i get the upgrade finished :D Thanks PacForeTravel!!
Do you have an update? I am super interested to know if the culture survived and is sustaining with the tank water or would it need some f/2 to give it a boost.
@@ReefDudes Looking to start adding pods to my tank clean up crew (Display tank with canister setup, no refugium or sump, but some basement play space), hoping to hear what you learned from this first experiment!
Can this be upscaled to a self sustaining phyto/pod culture that lives in the live rock and water columns of your main aquarium? I think this would probably only work with a massive tank, but I'd love to see if a self sustaining complete saltwater aquarium system.
You can just dose phyto to a refugium for pods in the tank. As long as their is no predators in they they can populate before they make their way up to the tank
Did this experiment ever continue? I can't really find a second video to see how this worked out or if there was a different solution or if it was just easier to culture separately from the tank like most do.
That is an awesome idea, I have just been doing a lot of research I’m just looking on copepod culturing and phytoplankton culturing,my dilemma is if you want to go on vacation how do sustain the culture, can’t wait to see what you come up with.
ReefDudes awesome, trying to figure out my best way to set up but have a dumb question I have a bottle I Purchased of Mr. G's phytoplankton in the fridge now could I use that as a start up culture? Just have to get some of the F2 fertilizer then
As long as it’s live phyto you shlould be good. I have heard some using miracle grow instead of F2. The only problem with that is your introducing excess phosphates and other additives you don’t want I. Your tank. So beat to get F2 if you can find some
Did you ever make an update to this? It's one of your most viewed videos and an automatic self sustaining pod culture should be on any reefers bucket list.
I do that as well. I also randomly dose pods and phyto to my tank to boost it up. I belive they are both great base food sources of the ocean and beneficial to my fish and corals.. I'm basically trying to automate that process.
Thanks John! we will find a way.. all in one reactor would be awesome so hopefully it works out long term! .....mmmm now you got me wanting a coffee :P
The first one crashed on my when i was out of town.. so it was either from the tank water or not making it dark enough to start off. I'm going to redo the experiment with a darker culture to start it and some F2.. if it crashes again then i know i will need to add a UV steralizer to the tank water that feeds it.
It crashed eventually.. I think the solution is to add a UV sterilizer to the input line (i have been keeping my eye out for a cheap used one but hasn't happened yet) once i find one ill try V2 on my new tank.
@@ReefDudes Appreciate the reply, and would love to see V2 :) I think it might be easier to just cultivate it and dump it in the tank :). But love the idea of auto feeding into the tank.
@@gaspipe1 haha i agree as I do cultivate and dump in! haha prob why this is not a big priority and more a fun project... it really comes down to me finding a free/cheap UV to bring it back and try out my plan for V2 haha automation is always fun! .. I even have an elaborate V3 as a backup plan in mind haha
Clever idea using a reactor style, I have been planning on doing a similar thing too but a completely different design. I've cultured phyto before and the salinity had to be 1.020, so I'm curious to see how your experiment will go at the higher salinity from using tank water. For you experiment I would have done it more gradually, start with no pods to see if tank water will sustain a phyto culture, otherwise how do you know if it's crashed or the pods have just eaten all of the phyto? Will be watching how this all turns out with great interest.
Very good question! If the pod population explodes then ill assume they out-competed it.. i have cultured phyto with a range of salinity i generally use 1.020 ish but have done a bit higher an it seemed okay atleast with nano
I have a phytoplankton bottle that is 2-3 months old. It has been in the frig. Could it kill the pods if I add it or is the worst thing likely to happen that they just don’t want to eat the photo?
update for all of you wondering if this is working: IT DID NOT WORK. the reason? not clear. that's my theory: pods in display tank ate too much phyto, colture didnt start properly.
hehe thats a possibility! well.. i either add F2 on a doser to speed up phyto growth.. or split into two reactors (step 2 or 3) if this doesnt work out. I have a master plan that i know will work but im trying to find the simplest most affordable version of it.. so we have a few experiments to go !
Yeah this one is particularly good because pods and phyto are expensive (from what I have seen especially with delivery). You can get a good constant supply of pods out of your fuge but phyto - don't people just dump it into their tank and it's used up fast. So a simple method (preferaly set and forget) of growing and slowly dosing phyto would be REALLY valuable for a lot of reefers.
Nope but I did replay a few times of what I would change to fix the issue I’m v2. More or less run the water feeding it blink Uv on the way in to sterilize it
I looked through all of your subsequent videos and did not see an update. I will assume things did not go well.
How this going what are your results did it work? Gives us an update
we need a follow up to this bro !
Pretty cool idea. I dont think I would have ever thought of that! Can’t wait to see how it works
hehe thanks, me too!
Dude, great idea! I hope it works out. I love these DIY/experiment type projects.
This could be an extremely gooooooood thing! So glad you do these experiments!
I'm a made scientist at heart! :P
Yup!
Definitely something to consider, if it work seems to be easy enough for anybody. Keep the videos coming Deven will be waiting anxiously. Good Idea
Great idea Dev!
I'm planning a build to culture phyto, pods, and brine shrimp.
Reefer Dave its nice to have live food as an option. It makes keeping any difficult fish rather easy to keep :)
Really cool idea Dev! Cant wait to see the update
So many ideas! hhehe it will be awesome once its working and dialed in :)
What ever happened to the rest of this series? I can't seem to find the second video?
Nice little build. Taking culturing up a level, for sure
I’m very excited about this project and think it is a great idea.
Very nice idea! I'm very interested in the experiment. I culture phytoplankton and copepods as well so this idea could save me a lot of time on my tank. Keeping my fingers crossed! Hoping for the best! Can't wait for the update.
Very nice. I can’t wait for the next update 😊
Awesome idea Deven....i am sure you are going to keep an eye on your nutrients...keep us posted....
Oh i sure will!
Superb idea, really hoping it works well!
Thanks Daniel! me too! :D
Yes! Love the idea. I’ll be watching for the next episodes :-) thanks Dev
Glad you liked it! i'm excited for this project :D
Great idea, hope it works. Self sustained food supply would be cool 👍
Ok I see what you did there, nice homage to Peter McKinnon, coffe B-roll intro!! And I could tell you were holding back saying “Bwhats up!!” Haha anyway great idea on the reactor we’re all waiting for an update! I have a mandarin in my tank as well so this could be an awesome addition and diy for my 115g! Keep it up Dev!! Btw ur tanks is my inspiration to get a peninsula style tank even tho yours isn’t in peninsula mode right now.👍🏻👍🏻🐠🐟
hahah good eye! I love coffee and peter is great for inspiration :P I think Rev 2 of this project will be a dual chamber one with a dosing pump.. Ill try and get back to it once i get the upgrade finished :D Thanks PacForeTravel!!
Do you have an update? I am super interested to know if the culture survived and is sustaining with the tank water or would it need some f/2 to give it a boost.
Will get back to this soon! new tank has stolen my attention the past while. I have a plan for rev2 :)
@@ReefDudes Looking to start adding pods to my tank clean up crew (Display tank with canister setup, no refugium or sump, but some basement play space), hoping to hear what you learned from this first experiment!
I'm going to do a rev 2 soon but using 2 canisters. Once i get my stand/control panel ect done on the upgrade.
Update?
Great timing! I've been researching phyto, pod, and rotifer cultures for feeding my nano reef and this will be a very helpful series to follow!
I'm definitely excited about this one. Great project idea
Great vid as always. Any update on this? can't find episode 2, 3 etc.
Good video.. But why did you destroy your coffee by pouring it into a jug of water?
Americano! it was tasty.. i assure you! :)
Neat idea. Looking forward to the progress and updates.
is there an update for this?
Cool idea 💡 I’ll be watching to see how it turns out 👍👍
Nice DIY, good theory. I'll be watching this one
Very cool idea. A little different than I was planning but I can't wait for your results before trying mine or changing it to yours. Best of luck.
Can't wait for the update! :)
V1 ended up crashing on me over time. I have a plan for v2 once I find a few more parts :)
Any update?
Very intriguing idea. Did this end up working? Maybe the rotifers ate all the phytoplankton faster than the phytoplankton could grow?
Did this end up working out?
Great idea, will be interesting to follow progress
Can this be upscaled to a self sustaining phyto/pod culture that lives in the live rock and water columns of your main aquarium? I think this would probably only work with a massive tank, but I'd love to see if a self sustaining complete saltwater aquarium system.
You can just dose phyto to a refugium for pods in the tank. As long as their is no predators in they they can populate before they make their way up to the tank
Did this experiment ever continue? I can't really find a second video to see how this worked out or if there was a different solution or if it was just easier to culture separately from the tank like most do.
That is an awesome idea, I have just been doing a lot of research I’m just looking on copepod culturing and phytoplankton culturing,my dilemma is if you want to go on vacation how do sustain the culture, can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I have left my cultures for 2 weeks and they survived.. i just reduced the photoperiod to slow down growth :)
It also doesnt hurt to leave some backup in the fridge
ReefDudes awesome, trying to figure out my best way to set up but have a dumb question I have a bottle I Purchased of Mr. G's phytoplankton in the fridge now could I use that as a start up culture? Just have to get some of the F2 fertilizer then
As long as it’s live phyto you shlould be good. I have heard some using miracle grow instead of F2. The only problem with that is your introducing excess phosphates and other additives you don’t want I. Your tank. So beat to get F2 if you can find some
Did you ever make an update to this? It's one of your most viewed videos and an automatic self sustaining pod culture should be on any reefers bucket list.
Not yet, i need a UV for my tweaked v2.. which i have not splurged on yet.
@@ReefDudes How about testing it with a fresh salt water feed?
I've also had this idea, eagerly awaiting an update :)
@@buggsi that has potential too as long as its sterile, will have to restart this one from scratch, whole new tank/moved since then!
Awesome! Very interested to see this progress!
Should be a fun experiment :)
Very cool idea, can't wait to also see the more complicated method. =O
It should be a fun project! I have a few ideas to make it amazing :)
Did you ever do an update on this I know it was 4 years ago but I can't find any
so what was the conclusion
I'm missing something. Why not raise pods in a chaetomorpha section of your sump and let the pump feed the main tank, or simply net some as needed?
I do that as well. I also randomly dose pods and phyto to my tank to boost it up. I belive they are both great base food sources of the ocean and beneficial to my fish and corals.. I'm basically trying to automate that process.
Did you ever do a part two for This video?
I'm eager to see the results
How did this work out? What did you go with for copepod culturing?
No updates?
Question? Has anyone used grow light strip to grow Phyto. I wonder if it will work better or faster than regular lights.
I have tried my evergrow light in the past.. both work. not sure if there is a huge difference but they both did the job
Is there an update?
Your dog whining at 9:28 made me think my dog was whining haha I was looking around for her until I realized it was the video
Love that coffee intro haha! 👌🏽
love it sweet how you do the diy way of doing things ill be hear waiting happyreefing 👏👏👍👌💪👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀🖑🖑
Thank Chris! I just love to tinker/build so it leads me down this path :P
No update?
Love to see this work two 👍👍
Great idea 💡 good luck 👍🏽
Thank you! :D
cool idea Dev oh man i need some good coffee now!
Thanks John! we will find a way.. all in one reactor would be awesome so hopefully it works out long term! .....mmmm now you got me wanting a coffee :P
Nice! Cool idea!
Did this work out?
Hey Man - what happened to this? Great idea!
crashed eventually. V2 would have UV to serialize the water feeding it.. still on my one day to do list.. just havent got around to it yet :)
@@ReefDudes thanks man! Good luck!!
Very interesting. How did this go?
good luck love the idea look forward to the next video DR Dev lol
Hi Deven, I'm curious as to how this experiment is coming along, will we be seeing an update soon?
The first one crashed on my when i was out of town.. so it was either from the tank water or not making it dark enough to start off. I'm going to redo the experiment with a darker culture to start it and some F2.. if it crashes again then i know i will need to add a UV steralizer to the tank water that feeds it.
ReefDudes
Thanks for the info, there's always a learning curve when you try something new, this is a great idea and I hope you can get it to work.
Any updates on this @ReefDudes
It crashed eventually.. I think the solution is to add a UV sterilizer to the input line (i have been keeping my eye out for a cheap used one but hasn't happened yet) once i find one ill try V2 on my new tank.
@@ReefDudes Appreciate the reply, and would love to see V2 :) I think it might be easier to just cultivate it and dump it in the tank :). But love the idea of auto feeding into the tank.
@@gaspipe1 haha i agree as I do cultivate and dump in! haha prob why this is not a big priority and more a fun project... it really comes down to me finding a free/cheap UV to bring it back and try out my plan for V2 haha automation is always fun! .. I even have an elaborate V3 as a backup plan in mind haha
ReefDudes in one of your replies was that this crashed. Could provide more information. I love this idea.
Likely from tank water. I think running it through a UV sterilizer on the way in would remedy it. Once I find one for cheap I’ll give it another whirl
@@ReefDudes do you feel mixing the pods and phyto contributed to the crash?
Finally the secret sauce!!!!!
Starting to sprinkle a bit in just for you :)
Really cool / great idea. I hope this works. If so, I for one will replicate.
Good morning reefers!!
Did this ever work
do you have an update?
Id really like to see it :)
Nice idea
Dev... I know which peter mckinnon video you watched ehhe...
All of them hahaha, i would be lying if i told you he didnt inspire me :P
ReefDudes I learned a lot of stuff from him myself! Totally approve of the inspiration lol. I’m def excited to see this work.
What type of phytoplankton is that?
Nannochloropsis
ReefDudes thank you!
So any follow up on this DIY phytoplankton reactor?
very nice to "test #1" and then no update, no news, just randomly read a comment in another video where you just say "oh yeah... well it crashed. bye"
Do you have update one this??
Clever idea using a reactor style, I have been planning on doing a similar thing too but a completely different design. I've cultured phyto before and the salinity had to be 1.020, so I'm curious to see how your experiment will go at the higher salinity from using tank water. For you experiment I would have done it more gradually, start with no pods to see if tank water will sustain a phyto culture, otherwise how do you know if it's crashed or the pods have just eaten all of the phyto? Will be watching how this all turns out with great interest.
Very good question! If the pod population explodes then ill assume they out-competed it.. i have cultured phyto with a range of salinity i generally use 1.020 ish but have done a bit higher an it seemed okay atleast with nano
Did it work???
It crashed eventually. I think using UV I’m the tank water would fix it for v2
that is a cool idea, let us know how it works!
Will do, i shall find a way!
Did it work?
Well? what happened?
cool! good luck dude
Thanks Ed! :D
I have a phytoplankton bottle that is 2-3 months old. It has been in the frig. Could it kill the pods if I add it or is the worst thing likely to happen that they just don’t want to eat the photo?
Phyto is their main food source! I feed it to my pods and my tank!
which Radions are those and the settings?
Coffee looks good!
Soo good!
I'd bet this is isn't going to work on many fronts. Props for trying though.
I have contingency plans if it doesnt :)
ReefDudes right on. I plan on doing something similar soon. It's going to be more or less a high nutrient fuge though.
update for all of you wondering if this is working:
IT DID NOT WORK.
the reason? not clear.
that's my theory: pods in display tank ate too much phyto, colture didnt start properly.
Did you have success with this?
Hey man , hiw did that experiment go ?
Good for a while. Crashed eventually v2 I would put a UV to steralize the tank water on the way in
What about that update you promised? At least comment and tell us if it worked.
Currently shut it down with my tank upgrade. will spin up a new version once i get the tank done.
What are you doing to the espresso puck at 0:12?
That scraper cleans off the edges and will shave off the grinds if you have too much in there.
Interesting. Never seen a tool like that. I've always just used my fingers and a scale haha
Me neither! It came with the machine. Hah! Took a bit of tweaking but now I can make some mighty tasty coffee!
Where can you purchase live phytoplankton? I don't think my LFS sells live stuff.
Ideally find someone locally that sells it.. Phytopheast (black cap) is a commercial one you can find or i believe you can order from algaebarn
Hey, any update on this project? I have all that I need do build it and wanted to find out if it worked for you.
Ill prob get back to it this winter. It has been on the side burner with macna and my tank upgrade coming up
What if the pods eat all of the Phyto before it get to ur tank?
hehe thats a possibility! well.. i either add F2 on a doser to speed up phyto growth.. or split into two reactors (step 2 or 3) if this doesnt work out. I have a master plan that i know will work but im trying to find the simplest most affordable version of it.. so we have a few experiments to go !
How long do u recommend have the led light on?
Super cool idea - hope this works ;)
Thanks, Sunny! me too! i have many ideas.. one of them will hehe
Yeah this one is particularly good because pods and phyto are expensive (from what I have seen especially with delivery). You can get a good constant supply of pods out of your fuge but phyto - don't people just dump it into their tank and it's used up fast. So a simple method (preferaly set and forget) of growing and slowly dosing phyto would be REALLY valuable for a lot of reefers.
Did you do updates? Can't find them
Haven’t re started it since I moved
@@ReefDudes haha well I'd love to see it progressed :)
Where did you get the pods and phytoplankton?
I culture them.. but originally i started with some live phyto (black cap) and pods from reef nutrition and some various other pod sources
Do you have any update on how it is going?
I will get back to Rev2 of this experiment soon :)
He never followed up on this at all. I guess it didn't work out?
Was there a #2 to this test?
Nope but I did replay a few times of what I would change to fix the issue I’m v2. More or less run the water feeding it blink Uv on the way in to sterilize it