🧪 Every great microalgae experiment begins long before the culture starts growing.

Stock media preparation is one of the most overlooked yet critical skills in any algal laboratory. A small mistake in weighing, pH adjustment, sterilization, or storage can affect growth, reproducibility, and ultimately the reliability of your research.

In my latest article, I explore why mastering stock media preparation is an essential skill—not just a routine laboratory task.

Whether you're a student, researcher, or microbiologist, this guide will help you build stronger experimental foundations.

📖 Read the full article on Phycocarnival webpage.!

Click here to read 🔗

💬 What is the most common mistake you've encountered while preparing culture media? Share your experience in the comments

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New pond owner (2 years) and can’t keep it from turning green. I’ve tried an alga-cide, plenty of plants, koi fish, always ends ups green. I run a lava rock filtration system (x2) and it doesn’t do the trick. It gets a fair amount of sunlight and is surrounded by tall pine trees. Any advice before I drain and power wash it?

I love the look of this in my tank. It’s only visible at an angle though.

Please help

Mixed the starter culture with seawater (salinity) have aeration on 24/7 with it sitting at 20°C room temp with lighting 12hr on 12 off. Do I need to do anything else? How long will it take?

I'm new to this.

I need help

I have a 20 gallon tank. Its fully planted, I am adding more plants regularly. I keep mollies and am moderately stocked. I got some new plants and now see filamentous algea in my tank.

I have been checking my parameters. 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, less than 5 ppm nitrates, and between 0.5 and 1 ppm phosphate. All measured with API liquid kits.

It does get some sunlight, I am trying to limit the light as much as I can. I'm physically removing it right now and its staying under control, but I'm worried its going to get ahead of me.

Any ideas for control? Are there any good snails to use? I also have some brown algea but it stays in control.

Thanks in advance!

Hihi!!! I just got some marimo moss balls (6 babies) but im a bit concerned about the temperature and stuff. Any and all help will be appreciated!!!

I have friends and mutuals who have/had pretty healthy marimo despite this, who I consulted before getting my marimo. They said they kept growing despite being kept in vials and in their offices (hardy little things).

For context, I live in Southeast Asia (avg temps are like 31-32°C during the day, maybe 25-26°C at night). After seeing the actual temperature range required for marimo to survive and thrive, I got concerned (but I don't know if I'm worrying incessantly)

For now I'm keeping them in the fridge to chill since they've shed a tiny bit from the delivery and all that, but I'm wondering if I'd really need to keep them in the fridge for good?

However, I mostly keep the AC on at 24-25°C when I'm in my room (about maybe 7-8 hours in the evening), turning it off for a bit before turning it on again when I sleep (about 5-6 hours in the night).

For now I've put them in a properly cleaned out pudding jar since the jar I wanted to put them in (a 450ml jar, I heard that's more than sufficient apparently..) isnt exactly usable yet (it's a mayonnaise jar.. 😅)

Really trying to figure out how I can let my little guys live comfortably despite the environmental restraints!!!

favorite algae?

I’m aware the only way to know for sure is through a microscope. I told my HOA about it and they said pond maintenance will be here on Friday. I’m so worried for the fate of the ducks that have been eating it.

The