Bioluminescent Plankton Care Guide
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Our bioluminescent cultures contain living marine plankton (Pyrocystis fusiformis), microscopic organisms that produce blue light when gently disturbed in the dark. With proper care, a culture can thrive for months or even years.
Light cycle
Bioluminescent plankton follow a natural day/night rhythm and need a consistent light cycle to stay healthy and glow properly. Provide about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark each day. Ambient room light or a small desk lamp or grow light on a timer works well. It may take several days to a week for a culture to adjust to a new schedule.
How to see the glow
The plankton only glow during their dark phase. They won't glow during their day cycle, even in a dark room. To trigger the glow, view the culture in the dark and gently swirl the bottle, twist it by the cap, or tap the side. Brightness often peaks a few hours into the dark period. After repeated motion the glow weakens temporarily; let the culture rest about 30 minutes to recharge.
Temperature
Keep cultures at normal indoor temperatures, ideally 65 to 75°F. Avoid direct sunlight, overheating, and freezing.
Feeding with Refresh
The plankton can survive long periods on light alone, but periodic feeding supports long-term health and growth. Add Refresh equal to 5% of the culture volume every 7 to 10 days and gently swirl to mix. Feed during the day cycle, and don't add large amounts at once. If the glow weakens after a dose, skip the next one.
Handling
These are delicate living organisms. Avoid vigorous shaking or constant disturbance; gentle swirling is enough to mix the culture or trigger the glow. Keep the lid slightly loose for air exchange, swirl every few days to keep cells suspended, and leave some empty space at the top of the container.
Expanding your culture
Healthy cultures can be expanded by splitting into new, clean containers and gradually adding Refresh.
FAQ
Why isn't my culture glowing?
Most often the culture is in its day phase. The plankton only glow during their dark period, even if the room is dark. A new culture can also take up to a week to adjust to your light schedule.
How long does a bioluminescent culture last?
With a steady light cycle, the right temperature, and regular feeding with Refresh, a culture can last for months or even years.
Can I keep my culture in the refrigerator?
No. Cold temperatures stress the plankton. Keep cultures at normal room temperature, ideally 65 to 75°F.
Why is the glow weaker after I swirl it a few times?
Each flash uses energy. Let the culture rest for about 30 minutes and the glow recharges.