President Paul Whitby called the meeting to order, & gave a brief overview about tonight’s meeting. Paul also indicated that Extreme Corals had donated 4 bottles of phytoplankton (DTs) which were used as door prizes for COMAS members. The club donated two $25.00 gift certificates for A.R.T. & Reef Shop as prizes. At this point Paul Whitby turned the meeting over to Paul Thompson. Paul Thompson introduced Michael Wamsley of Extreme Corals. He traveled from Dallas/Irving, Texas to give a presentation on Phytoplankton & the uses in captive marine systems.

Presentation - Phytoplankton in our World & Tanks
by Michael Wamsley

Plankton is the foundation of the ocean food chain. The word plankton comes from the Greek word "planktos" which means drifting. One of the most important plants in the sunlit zone is also the smallest. Phytoplankton are organisms that float on or near the surface of the water. Most are rounded and single-celled. All phytoplankton use photosynthesis for their energy. These microscopic marine plants nourish the entire marine food chain and have recently been documented by NASA to be responsible for up to 90 percent of the oxygen in which we breathe.

Michael’s illustrations show that there are approximately 6000 species of red algae (many types of red algae are responsible for causing cancer in fish), up to 100,000 species of diatoms, 1500 species of brown algae, & 17,000 species of green algae. It was interesting to note that the green algae growth was slowing planet wide, as compared to red algae growth. NASA photographs indicate that for the first time, red algae may become more prevalent than green algae.

The presentation moved to the discussion on how to grow your own phytoplankton and the types that are most beneficial. Michael stated that there were two basic ways to grow phytoplankton from a culture or starter kit.

The first used Miracle Grow Plant food. Miracle Grow had fast growth rates, & was inexpensive. The disadvantages to Miracle Grow are the introduction of heavy metals, inconsistent mixtures from product to product (Miracle Grow), not a pharmaceutical grade material.

The second used Guillard's (F/2) Marine Water Enrichment Solution. This product is very concentrated, and must be ordered (not available in stores), and is in proper concentration (idiot proof). The conclusion; the speaker’s preferred method of culturing phytoplankton is with Guillard’s (F/2).

Michael went over some of the types of phytoplankton that can be cultured.

Nannochloropsis:

1. A good source of EPA. (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA is a member of the omega-3 family of fatty acids)
2. Can be frozen for storage.

Isochrysis:

1. True Saltwater.
2. High in DHA. (Docosahexaenoic acid, EPA is a member of the omega-3 family of fatty acids)

Tetraselmisis:

1. Can move around.
2. High in DHA & EPA.
3. Antibiotic properties.
4. Larger size phytoplankton.

Pavlova:

1. Hard to grow.
2. Highest in DHA & EPA.
3. True Saltwater.

Michael recommended a book by Frank H. Hoff & Terry W. Snell, “Plankton Culture Manual”. This book can be found in the COMAS Library. He also mentioned a web site for the purchase & information on Phytoplankton systems, Florida Aqua Farms. There are some criteria on dosing phytoplankton in your system.

1. Dosing phytoplankton into your system can take up excess nutrients that algae use.
2. Don’t overdose; this will make your water cloudy.
3. Do not use tank water for your phytoplankton culture (unless you filter with a micron filter & a ultra-violet sterilizer), you run the risk of allowing an organism to eat your culture.
4. You can refrigerate your culture for 2 months (with 50% life remaining).
5. 
   

Demonstration - Phytoplankton Culturing Station
by Adam Moore

Adam Moore (papagimp) demonstrated his Phytoplankton Culturing Station. All the parts required to assemble a four “coke bottle” station were laid out on the table for members to examine as well as a parts list with instructions & photos. Adam went through, step by step, assembling the station & answering questions from members. The completed station was donated to the club as a door prize. A complete write up of the process along with photos will be submitted to the COMAS website.

Door Prizes

Door prize winners for the evening:

Meeting adjourns around 9:30pm.