The following instructions describe how to obtain dinoflagellate cultures and grow them at home, school, or laboratory. Then check out the Web page on bioluminescence demonstrations . Delivery in 2 weeks. All you need are lights and a timer. If you can't maintain sterile culture conditions, the cells will last for a few weeks to a month before bacteria overgrow the culture.
Dinoflagellates require nitrate, phosphate, trace metals, and vitamins.
Growth medium is sterile, so if don't have an autoclave available, it is easier to buy already prepared media than to make your own. Just add dinoflagellates. This enrichment is added to filtered seawater. Just add dinoflagellates. This enrichment is added to autoclaved natural or artificial seawater.