Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Gathering supplies
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing the aquarium
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining the spirulina colony

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is packed with nutrients: proteins, antioxidants and numerous vitamins and minerals. It is a simple organism that grows easily in warm water. However, because algae can absorb environmental toxins, some people choose to grow their own spirulina at home under safe and controlled conditions. Others simply prefer the taste and texture of fresh spirulina. Once you've set up a few supplies, the spirulina colony will pretty much take care of itself.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Gathering supplies

1. Buy an aquarium. Most home growers find that a standard sized aquarium is perfectly suited as a space for growing spirulina. An aquarium of that size will be able to supply a family of four with plenty of spirulina.
   • You can grow spirulina in larger aquariums, or even outside in a sink or pool (if you live in a warm climate). However, it is easier to care for spirulina culture indoors and in a small aquarium.
2. Collect the harvesting equipment. A spirulina colony may appear thick, but it consists largely of water. Once it is ready to eat or use, squeeze out the excess water. For most home growers who want to use only a small amount of fresh spirulina at a time, a fine cloth or gauze will suffice. You also need a scoop to remove the spirulina from the aquarium.
   • If you want to harvest larger quantities of spirulina to dry, have a larger supply of fine cloths or gauze to make it easier.
3. Buy minerals to stimulate algae growth. Trying to grow spirulina in just water won't necessarily lead to great results. To obtain an optimal colony, you must add specific minerals to it. However, you don't have to be an expert - you can buy ready-to-eat spirulina mineral "foods" at health and organic stores as well as online. Make sure it includes at least the following:
   • Sodium bicarbonate
   • Magnesium Sulphate
   • Potassium nitrate
   • Citric acid
   • salt
   • Urea
   • Calcium Chloride
   • Iron sulfate
   • Ammonium Sulphate
4. Buy a culture of spirulina. To get your own spirulina colony going, you need a little bit of live spirulina as a starter. Contact your local or favorite online health food or organic supplies store and ask for a spirulina starter set.
   • Spirulina starter cultures usually consist of a simple bottle of spirulina algae in the medium (water).
   • Buy spirulina cultures only from reliable suppliers. Since spirulina can absorb heavy metals and other toxins, make sure the starter set is from a safe source.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing the aquarium

1. Place the aquarium in a warm place with a lot of light. If possible, set the aquarium so that it is near a sunny south-facing window. Spirulina algae need a lot of light and heat to grow properly.
   • Some spirulina growers use artificial light, but the results will be better in natural light.
2. Prepare the medium. Spirulina growers always talk about the "medium" in which the algae grow, but this really only means the water in the aquarium to which the mineral "food" has been added. Fill the aquarium with filtered water and add the mineral mixture according to the directions on the package.
   • You can run tap water through a standard tap filter (such as a Brita or Pur filter) and use it for the aquarium.
   • If the water has been chlorinated, you should dechlorinate it with supplies you can find at aquarium supply stores.
3. Check the temperature of the medium. Ideally, the temperature in the aquarium should be around 35 ° C, but above 38 ° C would be too warm. Use an aquarium thermometer to make sure the aquarium has the correct temperature for the spirulina.
   • Spirulina can tolerate lower temperatures without dying, but a warm environment is best.
   • If the tank is too cold, you can heat it with an aquarium heater, which you can find at an aquarium supply store or pet store.
4. Add the spirulina starter. You have to follow the exact directions that come with the bottle of spirulina starter, but usually it's quite easy to add the starter culture. In general, just pour half to three quarters of the bottle into the medium in the aquarium.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining the spirulina colony

1. Watch the spirulina colony grow. At first, the spirulina colony may appear thin, but over time it will grow thicker and bigger. You usually don't have to do anything other than grow the colony!
   • If the colony doesn't seem to be growing properly, check the aquarium's pH level, which should be around 10 when the spirulina is ready to be harvested. If the pH is out of balance, then you probably need to add more mineral "foods."
   • You can find pH test strips at aquarium supply stores or online.
2. Stir the aquarium from time to time. The spirulina needs oxygen to thrive. Some growers use an aquarium pump to provide oxygen, although this is not strictly necessary. To ensure that air gets into the water in the tank, you can occasionally stir the medium.
3. Harvest the spirulina after about 3 to 6 weeks. Once the spirulina is thriving, you can start eating some of it. All you have to do is scoop out a little bit! Most people find that about a spoonful of spirulina at a time is sufficient when consumed fresh.
4. Filter the spirulina through a fine cloth. Place the spirulina that you removed from the tank on the cloth. Hold it over a sink or bowl and gently squeeze out the excess water. You will end up with a thick green paste. Use this fresh spirulina in smoothies, add it to your favorite foods, or just enjoy the spirulina on its own!
5. Supplement the food of the spirulina colony. Every time you remove some spirulina from the tank, make sure to add some of the mineral mixture back in, and in roughly equal amounts. For example, if you take out a tablespoon of spirulina, add about a tablespoon of medium to it.