Ok Pierce here is the instructions. This procedure should be followed by all participates in the study.
Instructions:
Fill the 15mL sterile tubes with tank water taken from the water column. It doesn't matter where it is taken from (not the sump please), but for consistency sake immerse the tube into the top of the tank and remove it full. Seal it immediately and place it in a refrigerator for storage until all water samples are collected. When they are all collected let me know and I can work out a pickup or have them sent by mail to me.
As for the times and days of sample collection, I would like a lights on and lights off sample for one day of sampling. Take the sample towards the end of the photoperiod/dark period if possible. Then do this twice a week (four samples per week) for two weeks. Total eight samples.
As an example:
Week 1
Tuesday: 2 samples, one lights on and one lights off.
Thursday: 2 samples, one lights on and one lights off.
Week 2
Tuesday: 2 samples, one lights on and one lights off.
Thursday: 2 samples, one lights on and one lights off.
Choosing what day of the week I will leave up to the individual reefers, however, chose a period to start the study during which your tank is stable, i.e. no water changes during the testing period, no changes to equipment, lights, light cycles, feeding regiment, and temperature. Once you decide to start the water collection, please finish it within two weeks, don't extend the sample collection over many weeks.
THANKS TO ALL for your participation.
I am really excited to see the differences and/or similarities between all our tanks, and will be sure to let everybody know the results as they happen.Shaun.
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