Anybody growing nostoc balls? How much sugar and magnesium to use?

[knifegill]

I found a large quantity of nostoc balls near my house. I want to use them as micro-marimo balls in my planted vases and critter culture tanks. Anybody growing these? Looking for practical experience.

 

[knifegill]

In case anybody is interested, I read an article on culturing them in the dark with better results than in light. Says they thrive on glucose, magnesium and casein. I'm cheap so I added table sugar, epsom salt and active yeast to their water and left it in the dark. I might forget to update this thread right away but results are coming.

You know you want 'em!

 

[James0816]

never heard of them. just googled...a cyanobacteria eh. interesting.

 

[coach_z]

I was going to note that they look like the cyano growing in my girlfriends bamboo vase. Whats the deal with them? more info and background please!

 

[knifegill]

growing in my girlfriends bamboo vase

You just provided more info! Very little is known within the hobby as far as practical use of this oddity. Some people eat them regularly, some are convinced they contain neurotoxins. Still trying to find out how they will do in an aquarium. I added one or two to several of my setups and am watching to see if they thrive or die off.

How does is the bamboo vase maintained?

 

[knifegill]

Oops. "How does is" should simply be "How is".