I started out doing it that way too. Lasted for about a month. Now when I restart cultures I just swab the top of the petri dish, and swish the Qtip around in the nsw, in a clean container with fert. Turn on the lights and bubble the crap out of it. I use saltwater of around 1.017 for the batches, some of the water evaporates as the brew matures. I've never tested it when it's done, never worried about it. When I need to harvest I turn off the air for a day or two and let it settle. Pour off the top 1/2 or so, collect the rest for use, fill the container back up with nsw, fertilize and turn the air back on. Haven't had a culture crash yet, been growing for almost 2 years. I have on a couple of occasions shut down and replaced all the equipment and restarted though. The phyto is grown in my basement which is cold around 15 C. ATM I run an 18 hr lights on cycle. I have run with 24 hr on and haven't seen any detriment to the cultures. I'm know this isn't the recommended method of culturing, but it works for me and my lazy style.
Now to keep rotifers going, haven't had much luck with them, lol.
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