outside carboys to culture algae

[Louis Z]

Dr Marini Do you think it could be easy to develop algae cultures outside in 5 gal. carboys. I live near Houston in which I would have outside temps of 80 to 100s. If I keep in shade I may not have as much temp as if in sun. Or should I stick to growing indoors with a flourescent lamp. My wife prefers outside anything. Just looking for some suggestions. Thanks Louis Z.

[FMarini]

Louis:
i suspect an outside carboy would be fine as long as you could prevent "crap" from contaminating your culture. I wouldn't worry about free floating spores as they will most lilely be a FW variety. I have friends who are culturing DT's outside in small 10gal fish tanks, it seems to be working pretty well.
The indoor method w/ lighting is the most consistant, but its your call
frank

[Agu]

Joyce Wilkerson's book "Clownfishes" has an excellant section about culturing live foods outside.

Agu