Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely!  Our Phyto and Pod systems will pay for themselves in savimgs within weeks.

Phytoplankton provides several benefits for a reef aquarium, including:

1. Nutrient Source: Phytoplankton serves as a natural and nutritious food source for many filter-feeding organisms found in reef aquariums, such as corals, clams, and some species of fish. These organisms rely on phytoplankton as a primary source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
2. Enhances Water Quality: Phytoplankton helps maintain water quality in reef aquariums by consuming excess nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates. These nutrients, if allowed to accumulate, can lead to water quality issues and the growth of unwanted algae. Phytoplankton acts as a biological filter, competing with algae for nutrients and reducing their availability.
3. Oxygen Production: Phytoplankton is photosynthetic, meaning it produces oxygen as a byproduct of its metabolic processes. In a reef aquarium, this can help maintain proper oxygen levels for the health of the inhabitants, especially during daytime when oxygen demand is higher.
4. Natural Filtration: Phytoplankton can act as a natural filtration mechanism by capturing suspended particles in the water column, reducing turbidity, and improving water clarity. This can benefit the overall aesthetics of the aquarium and enhance the visual appeal of corals and other organisms.
5. Zooplankton Production: Phytoplankton serves as a vital food source for zooplankton, including copepods, rotifers, and other small organisms. These zooplankton, in turn, provide a nutritious diet for many species of fish and invertebrates, promoting natural feeding behaviors and supporting the overall ecosystem within the aquarium.
6. Coral Health and Growth: Many species of corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a type of photosynthetic phytoplankton. The zooxanthellae live within the coral's tissues and provide a significant portion of its energy through photosynthesis. Adequate phytoplankton levels in the aquarium support the growth and overall health of corals by ensuring a sufficient food supply for their zooxanthellae.

Growing copepods for your reef aquarium can offer several benefits to the overall health and stability of your marine ecosystem. Copepods are tiny crustaceans that play a crucial role in the marine food chain, and they can provide several advantages when added to a reef aquarium:

1. Natural Food Source: Copepods are a natural and nutritious food source for many marine organisms, including corals, fish, and invertebrates. They are an essential part of the diet for some species, particularly small filter-feeding organisms, making them an excellent supplement for your aquarium's inhabitants.
2. Biodiversity: Introducing copepods to your reef aquarium can increase biodiversity. A diverse ecosystem is more resilient to fluctuations in water quality and is less susceptible to the outbreak of harmful algae or pests. Copepods can also help control detritus and algae in your aquarium, contributing to its overall health.
3. Symbiotic Relationships: Some marine life forms have symbiotic relationships with copepods. For instance, certain species of gobies and mandarinfish rely on copepods as their primary food source. Adding copepods can allow you to keep these fascinating and colorful species in your reef tank.
4. Nutrient Cycling: Copepods play a role in nutrient cycling within your aquarium. They help break down organic matter and recycle nutrients, contributing to the overall water quality. This can reduce the accumulation of harmful substances like nitrates and phosphates.
5. Natural Behavior: Watching copepods in your aquarium can be fascinating. Their constant movement and grazing can add an interesting dynamic to the tank, making it a more engaging and natural environment.
6. Food for Larvae: Copepods are also important as a food source for the larvae of many marine organisms, including fish and coral. By cultivating copepods in your aquarium, you can provide a continuous supply of live food for the developing stages of various marine species.

Yes!  You can grow any zooplankton or phyto spoecies in a PhytoTank.  We've grown all sorts of pods and rottifers and even brine shrimp in a PhtoTank.

No.  When you mix species the most aggressive or rapidly growing species will take over the culture.

You often see a dosse reccomendation of 5ml of Phyto for every 10 gallons in your display tank.  However, the actual dose will depend on the number of filter feeders and the filter efficiency.  The best solution is to gradually increase the dose while observing your reef tank.  That said, it is practically impossible to overdose your reef tank with phyto.

If your culture doesn't turn dark greenin 7 days, then it is likely to be contaminated.

If your pod culture looks clear it doesn't mean that the culture crashed.  The pods may have consumed all of the phyto and are still alive.  Tisbe pods are very difficult to see through the glass of a PhytoTank.  Consequently, the best way to assess your pod colony is to capture them on the harvesting sieve and then looking at the mesh uner a bright light.

Culture crashes are almost always because of a contaminating microbe.  You wil need to decontaminate your hardware and get a new set of starter culture.  Please read the Tips & Tricks section of the Set Up Guide for lots of suggestions on how to avoid culture crashes.

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase you may return it for a refund within 60 days of purchase.  A 20% restocking fee will be deducted from the refund.