Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids (a type of antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage). It contains nutrients, including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid)….
Test tube and animal studies suggest spirulina may boost the immune system, help protect against allergic reactions, and have antiviral and anticancer properties. However, there is no proof that spirulina has these, or any, benefits in humans. More research is needed to fully understand how or whether spirulina benefits people.
To make the presentation shorter, easier and more accurate, I decided not to avoid using common
technical terms : in case some would confuse you, look for an explanation in a chemistry college
handbook.
What is called “spirulina” here actually bears the scientific name of “Arthrospira platensis”, a
cyanobacteria. But the common name “spirulina” is universally used.
What is Spirulina?
“This microalgae is 60% all-vegetable protein, rich in beta carotene, iron, vitamin B-12 and the rare essential fatty acid, GLA. It offers a striking profile of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrents. Scientific studies show remarkable health benefits.”
If you are interested in growing Spirulina at home, I hope you find this method useful…
To review, the base for growing spirulina is Distilled water. And to get the pH above 8.6, I recommend using a product named “PH UP!” & use pH test strips for a range up 8.6 pH. No test strips are available for public sale above 8.6. You’ll have to guesstimate.
What’s next? We need to know the ideal teperature for growing spirulina. Spirulina grows best at 86 degrees F. Above 92, the algae cannot photosynthesize sun light and becomes weak and looses vicosity. Any temprature below 82 degrees F and the algae continues to grow, just not at a maximium rate. 86 degrees F is ideal. The one stable environment which can maintain this steady temperature and is readily available in the home is an aquarium.
Overview
Spirulina Systems has set out to make it easy and affordable for anyone to start growing spirulina. So why are we excited about helping spread the word about live spirulina? Well, home-grown spirulina is cheaper, safer, and filled with more nutrients than any other form of food in the world! If you already have tried the powder form of spirulina, we know you’ll love growing and enjoying this amazing superfood!
Is growing spirulina right for you?
Spirulina is a powerful superfood that is widely known as the most nutritious food in the planet. It is 20 times more efficient per squared foot than any other plant, making it suited for compact indoor growing.
If you care about nutrition and have a small window to spare, spirulina is right for you.
Spirulina is very easy to work with. It only requires a set of tools to do two things: grow and harvest spirulina.
How it works?
There are two air pumps used in the system. One of them takes care of aerating and feeding CO2 into the tank which results in no maintenance growing. The other is used for the harvesting process. Air is fed to the bottom of a a food grade tube to make the spirulina rise and is then caught in a harvesting cloth. Set a timer, and the system will run automatically.
Once set up, the system is low maintenance and low risk with the amazing reward of fresh spirulina in your own home. Algae integration into our diets is the future of a diversified nutrition base.
Harvest and aerating demonstration.
Below is a video of a previous prototype we made. It works very similar to our current version except that automatic harvesting is not integrated in this prototype. Instead, a bi-valve controls the air flow between harvesting and aerating.
It takes approximately 90 days to grow spirulina in “Growing tubes”. Harvest the spirtulina by 
dumping the contents of the “growing tubes” into 50 micron wide cloth. The particals of spirulina that pass through the 50 micron cloth are young enough to be your starter for your next culture, or 90 day cycle. To lower the pH of the 8.6+ spirulina, all that is needed it to squeeze the water liquid from the pulp. A press will do the trick. I wouldn’t recommend doing this by hand, for if any liquid remains in the spirulina, it will effect the pH of the environment the spirulina is released into.
Once the spirulina algae has been de-liquified by pressing out the water, it can be cut up and stored in zip lock bags, in the freezer for up to 6 months. That’s it! Now you can grow spirulina at home. The only cost after your initial investment will be in purchasing more “PH UP!” and Distilled water.
Other useful resources:
Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness)
Conquering the coming collapse (Financial advice and preparedness )
Liberty Generator (Build and make your own energy source)
Backyard Liberty (Easy and cheap DIY Aquaponic system to grow your organic and living food bank)