PyroDino Instructions
Remove the PyroDino Spout Pouch from the packaging immediately after arrival. PyroDinos will be stressed from shipping and should be left in a location that receives low to moderate lighting during daytime hours.
PyroDinos require daily light and moderate temperatures to survive. They will not survive without daily light for more than 4 or 5 consecutive days.
Typical room and office lighting, supplemented with indirect (not direct) sunlight, is best.
NO direct Sunlight or any lighting that adds heat (indirect ‘not direct’ sunlight OK). Intense direct lighting may harm PyroDinos. When in doubt, place in an area of the room that receives low to moderate lighting. PyroDinos are very efficient at converting light to energy.
PyroFarms recommends leaving PyroDinos in one location throughout the entire day and night. We discourage moving PyroDinos to closet or cabinet in the evening on the chance that they are forgotten and left without light for an extended period of time.
Ideal Temperature: 63F to 79F (17C – 26C). Try to minimize temperature fluctuations. They can survive outside of this temperature range but it will slow their growth and add stress to the PyroDinos.
It is beneficial (but not required) to loosen the cap during daytime hours. The goal is to increase air-exchange while limiting evaporation.
It is beneficial (but not required) to gently swirl PyroDinos once a day, during daytime hours (with the cap tightly closed).
Viewing Bioluminescence
View bioluminescence during nighttime hours (after 7 pm EST) in a darkened area. Swirl pouch gently to induce light. PyroDinos will not light up during daytime hours - even in a darkened room! PyroDinos have a ‘circadian clock’ similar to you and I and perform photosynthesis during daytime hours and only produce the light emitting compounds during their dark cycle at night. circadian rhythm
Optional: Their circadian rhythm can be altered or flipped by using a light on a timer and keeping them in a darken area. Program the light timer for 12 hours of light and make sure they are in the dark during the other 12 hour cycle. It usually takes a couple of days, maybe a week, before they begin to change their cycle. Best to use a LED light or a light that does not generate heat.
Transferring your PyroDinos to a Bio-Orb
Transferring your PyroDinos to a new container
If you transfer your PyroDinos to container like the Bio-Orb then you can start feeding and expanding your PyroDino culture.
Feeding should only be performed with DinoNutrients. Other liquids like tap water and beer should not be added. PyroDinos are a marine (saltwater) species and can be added to a saltwater fish or coral tank.
Feeding PyroDinos is similar to feeding a plant. Feeding will increase the growth and health of the PyroDino culture but is not altogether required. Like a plant, you can overfeed and kill PyroDinos. Do not overfeed PyroDinos. Feeding can be stressful if an excess of DinoNutrients is added at one time. Never add more than half the total culture volume during a single feeding. Do not add DinoNutrients more than once a week.
Note: PyroDinos can survive for several months with nothing but daily light.
PyroFarms recommends not feeding for the first week after transfer into a new container or any stressful situation (like a move or change of environment).
PyroFarms recommends waiting for a line of floating PyroDinos to form at the top of the water line near the edge of the container before feeding. An aggregate of floating PyroDinos at the top of the waterline near the edges of the container is a sign of health. Note – if you don’t see this phenomenon – just wait and observe the culture for a week or so before feeding.
Maintenance feeding:
Add small amounts of DinoNutrients
(5%-10% of total volume) once every 2 weeks.
Learn more about PyroDino dinoflagellates
PyroDino First Aid: If your PyroDinos are producing less light at night and are failing to form the line of floating mass near the top of the water then you may employ the following measures.
Stop all feedings and move the PyroDinos/Bio-Orb to a location that receives low or filtered daily light (No direct sunlight). Open the container or remove the Bio-Orb stopper to allow more air exchange. Swirl the PyroDinos once or twice a day until you observe more bioluminescence at night and more aggregation around the waterline (top).
If this does not work, then please contact PyroFarms and we will get you glowing again. contact@pyrofarms.com