The culture system is design around nine 100 L k-tubes.  These k-tubes are maintained under a semi-continuous conditions.  This means that as algae is harvested for shellfish feed and then clean media is added to replace the lost volume.  Media refers to full-strength sea-water at 21 degrees Celsius with F/2 nutrients (Kent) added.  Water is pumped into the building, filtered to 800 um and the water is heated or cooled depending on ambient conditions.  The water is then consecutively moved through a series of cartridge filters; 20 um, 1 um, and carbon matrix.  Once the k-tube is filled with water, 90 mls of clorox is added and left to sit overnight to sterilize the container and water.  The next day the air supply is turned on and 23 mls of sodium thiosulfate (250 g/L) is added to neutralize the chlorine.  K-tubes are generally inoculated with culture from a 19 L glass carboy.  The carboys (6) are usually completely drained to inoculate but sometimes are maintain under semi-continuous conditions. The carboys are autoclaved and no clorox is used.  The carboys are inoculated with medium flasks which are inoculated with small flasks.  In contrast to tube and carboy cultures, flasks are filled with filtered media that is autoclaved.

Bay Scallop Genetics and Molecular Physiology

Bay Scallop Stock Enhancement

The Development of a Recirculating Culture System for Quahog (Project completed Summer 2003)

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The Micro-Algae Production Facility is currently being managed by Janice Simmons.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns please contact him at jsimmons@mbl.edu.