Larger batches of phyto?

[VBMikr]

I'd like to grow slightly larger batches of phyto that you can in bottles, but I'm having limited success.

I've tried 5 gallon plastic carboys, but I think the light blue color is affecting the light and slows the growth. I know there are clear glass carboys that the brewers use, but they are not cheap and they look like they'd be tough to clean anyway.

I've tried top lighting 5 gallon buckets and I think the light penetration slows the growth there. They are definitely lagging way behind the one gallon batches in clear bottles.

Any ideas here? What are your thoughts on the large white water storage tanks...? Are they translucent enough to side light them?

Thanks!

[Luis A M]

You need plastic bags;convenient,cheap and disposable.

[VBMikr]

Yes I was looking at that option... at $1 each (for small quantities) that's not too bad, but I'm wondering if there is a practical container that can be cleaned and reused? Are the bags reusable at all?

Thanks

[Luis A M]

Bags and bottles are reusable but not worth the effort,
I buy bags from the manufacturer,100 x USD 25.
60 x 35 cm,1mm.Hold 10 L.

[VBMikr]

Thanks! Can you say which manufacturer? That's a great price!

[Luis A M]

No,sorry.I only know local manufacturers.

[VBMikr]

I still haven't conquered this, LOL! What do you think of these bags? I got some samples in of these and they seem to hold around 3 US gallons of water okay... at least for the few days that I tried. How should I hang them?

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-10984/Poly-Bags-Flat-Open/14-x-30-3-Mil-Industrial-Poly-Bags

Thanks!

[Luis A M]

Look good My bags are 35 x 60 cm,1 mm thick.
You need to assemble something loke this:
http://florida-aqua-farms.com/product-c ... n-systems/
Easy to make with PVC pipe and elbows.No need to glue them.

[VBMikr]

Do you use a similar PVC system? Is it possible for you to post pics? Especially how the bag fits through the parts? Do you have tips on how to split the cultures when dealing with the large bags?

Sorry to be so stupid, Thanks!!

[Luis A M]

Yes,I made mine.You should try to find some pipes designed to build PVC furniture,as these offer 4 ways connectors (like a cross).
You drill a hole in the bag holding elbows,and pass the mouth of the bag thru it,and then fold it back over the elbow.Then you cap it with a slightly oversized cap,so it fits snugly over the bag.This cap has two little holes,one for the rigid airline,and the other to let the air out.

[VBMikr]

I think I understand, thank you. It seems like splitting would be a clumsy operation with bags... any tips? I would think pouring it would be the most sanitary way, but it seems like it would be awkward pouring a bag with 5 gallons of phyto!!

[Luis A M]

You must avoid contamination.Splitting isn´t a good idea.You fill the bag once with a funnel and then harvest as needed thru the airline.

[VBMikr]

Sorry to ask so many questions, but how do you seed the the new bags with phyto if you don't split them...?

[Luis A M]

You can either run batch or continuous cultures:
You seed with 1L of a good culture and top off with 9L of sterile medium.
Batch-you harvest it all,when it is ready.
Continuous-you take out 1 L and replace with new medium.

[VBMikr]

Thank you sir! So if I understand correctly, I would disconnect the airline from the pump and use the same line to siphon the phyto to harvest or seed the next bag

[Luis A M]

It is practical to siphon out thru the airline.But for filling you use a funnel.

[VBMikr]

Okay, thanks! I pieced together some short lengths of 1 inch diameter PVC with some 1.25 inch caps... I fed the plastic bags through the pipe and wrapped over the other end of the pipe as it appears to me in the FAF catalog. It's not as snug as I had hoped and the bag is slipping under the weight of roughly 4 gallons (15 liters). Do you have any ideas for securing it further? Is it not practical to think I can completely suspend the bag without the bottom resting on a shelf?

[Luis A M]

Oh yes,the whole thing and the bags sit on a shelf!

[VBMikr]

Okay so the PVC "mouth" is just to more or less balance the bag, it doesn't really hold any weight... I think I get it now.