Spirulina farming may look peaceful—but behind the green surface is a well-oiled machine. Every single day, farm operators carry out tasks that ensure the quality, safety, and productivity of this high-value microalgae.
From checking pH and temperature to managing harvesting, agitation, and contamination control, spirulina algae farming is a game of precision and timing. If you’re new to spirulina cultivation or considering starting a farm, understanding the daily care routine is crucial.
In this article, we walk you through the entire day at a spirulina farm—highlighting the tasks, tools, and protocols that keep things running smoothly and produce market-ready, COA-certified spirulina.
6:00 AM – Sunrise Check: Water Level, Agitation, & First Visual
A successful spirulina farm day begins with the sun—and a walk around the tanks.
What’s Checked:
- Water Level: Any unexpected evaporation, overflow, or leakage
- Agitator Functionality: Paddlewheel or aerator motor should start rotating smoothly
- Surface Visual Check: Color uniformity, foam patches, debris, or insects
The operator inspects each tank for signs of stress. For example:
- A lighter green color may suggest nutrient deficiency
- Foaming could indicate contamination
- Patchy growth often hints at poor circulation
7:30 AM – Lab Testing: pH, Temperature, and Microscopy
Spirulina is sensitive to even slight changes in pH or temperature. This is why testing is performed daily—often twice.
Tests Performed:
- pH Meter Reading: Target range is 9.5–10.5
- Temperature: Ideal is 30–35°C
- Microscopy (1:100 sample): Check cell structure, contamination (protozoa, filamentous bacteria)
- Color Scale Reading: Standardized color charts help track health
Digital SCADA systems or mobile-connected sensors now allow farms to log this data in real time—ideal for organic and HACCP-compliant farms.
➡️ Curious how tech plays a role? Read Automation in Spirulina Farming
9:00 AM – Nutrient Dosing & Water Management
After morning tests, it’s time to top up nutrients.
Nutrients Added (Based on Growth Stage):
- Sodium bicarbonate – for carbon
- Nitrogen (urea or nitrate) – for protein synthesis
- Phosphates – for cell division
- Iron & trace minerals – based on color and test reports
Dosing is done manually or via automated drip lines, depending on the farm setup.
Meanwhile, clean water may be added to balance evaporation loss. In some cases, recycled condensate from drying units is reused—minimizing waste.
11:00 AM – Agitation Schedule Review
Agitation is critical. Without proper movement, spirulina cells settle and die.
Typical Agitation Timings:
- 8 hours/day on average
- Manual systems: Agitate during peak sun hours (9 AM–5 PM)
- Automated systems: Low-speed round-the-clock
Farm operators review agitation logs, inspect paddlewheels, and clean debris from tank corners. Poor agitation often leads to localized heating, nutrient clumps, or algae fouling.
1:00 PM – Midday Maintenance & Equipment Cleaning
Afternoons are reserved for cleaning and preventative checks.
Key Maintenance Tasks:
- Harvest mesh wash (if used daily)
- Dryer and dewatering system wipe-down
- Tank surface cleaning (edges, pipes)
- Solar panel dusting (if off-grid)
- Lab sanitization
Strict hygiene is what separates a certified, premium-quality spirulina farm from a contaminated mess.
➡️ Explore hygiene best practices: Spirulina Quality Control in Mass Production
3:00 PM – Culture Inoculation or Expansion (If Scheduled)
If it’s an inoculation day (every 2–3 weeks), the team works on:
- Transferring mature culture from nursery to larger tanks
- Ensuring similar pH and temperature to avoid shock
- Gradually increasing tank volume over 48–72 hours
This process is essential to scale up biomass while avoiding contamination.
➡️ Want to know how spirulina grows? See Spirulina Life Cycle: From Culture to Harvest
4:00 PM – Harvesting Time (If Biomass is Ready)
Spirulina is harvested based on:
- Color depth
- Cell density (measured with optical density or lab check)
- Foam texture
Harvest Steps:
- Biomass pumped into filter mesh or dewatering press
- Thick slurry transferred to drying unit (vacuum or refractive window)
- Residual water returned to the tank after testing
- Final dried flakes are packed in airtight, food-grade bags
Most farms harvest every 3–4 days per tank, depending on climate and nutrient cycles.
➡️ Learn about drying techniques: Spirulina Dryer Machine Solutions
6:00 PM – COA Sample Prep & Packing (As Needed)
Once spirulina is dried:
- A 5g–10g sample is sent for third-party lab testing
- Parameters like protein %, moisture, heavy metals, microbial count, and phycocyanin levels are tested
- Batch ID is assigned for traceability
Spirulina is then vacuum sealed and stored in cool, dry storage units—ideally with humidity control.
7:00 PM – Farm Log, Reports & Batch Entry
All certified farms maintain a digital or paper-based log that includes:
- Tank-wise pH and temperature
- Nutrient dosage logs
- Inoculation and harvest records
- Drying duration and method
- COA entries and batch numbers
This isn’t just for internal quality—it’s mandatory for HACCP, GMP, Organic, and ISO 22000 compliance.
8:00 PM – Power Backup Check & Night Prep
Before closing operations for the day, the team:
- Ensures battery backup or generator is functional (especially during monsoon or summer load shedding)
- Checks agitator timer (to run overnight if scheduled)
- Locks up lab, storage, and harvest zones
- Final tank walkthrough to inspect foam, floating biomass, or pests
Some farms install motion sensors or CCTV for 24×7 surveillance.
Weekly/Monthly Tasks to Keep in Mind
In addition to daily routines, successful spirulina farms also schedule:
- Weekly: Water quality testing, lab deep-clean, nutrient inventory check
- Bi-weekly: Pest control (insect mesh, drain clearing), full pH recalibration
- Monthly: Dryer servicing, agitator oiling, tank disinfecting cycle
- Quarterly: Full COA batch review, certification audits, market batch shipment
➡️ Learn long-term planning: Challenges and Solutions in Scaling Spirulina Farming
Common Daily Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced farms slip up. Here are red flags to watch for:
| Mistake | Consequence |
| Skipping pH monitoring | Culture death or low protein output |
| Harvesting too early/late | Nutrient loss or microbial buildup |
| Poor mesh cleaning | Biofilm buildup and cross-contamination |
| Inconsistent nutrient dosing | Yield fluctuation |
| Overexposure to sun or heat | Bleached, oxidized spirulina |
Final Thoughts – Spirulina Needs Daily Discipline, Not Daily Drama
The best spirulina farms are quietly consistent. They don’t need drama or miracles—just daily attention, smart systems, and clean processes.
If you’re planning to start a spirulina farm or scale up an existing one, building a daily ops schedule like this is your foundation. With proper monitoring, maintenance, and lab hygiene, spirulina farming becomes low-labor, high-output, and long-term profitable.
Want Help Setting Up a Spirulina Farm That Runs Itself?
At Greenbubble, we help you design and automate spirulina farms with:
- Smart tank layouts
- Sensor-based SCADA controls
- Lab design and COA protocols
- Organic and HACCP-ready SOPs
- Equipment for harvesting, drying, and packing
👉 Contact us now to book a consultation or get a turnkey quote tailored to your land and vision.
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