Phytoplankton Species and their individual Strengths by greg.chernoffWhen purchasing live foods for your tank, many people simply take the shop employee’s advice when handed a jar of unidentified copepods for their reef tank. Most do not research into the different species of copepods, we just understand that they are a major element of our clean up crews and that our fish love snacking on them. But, what if you want to actually make sure you are getting the best option available, and not just whatever the local fish shop has in stock this week? Many aquarists turn to buy the copepods online for this reason, as online retailers typically understand the differences between species and explain them on each individual product’s page. After reading the pages of each individual species, many are left wondering “what do copepods eat?” Aside from detritus and fish food, most species we add to our tanks also eat algae and phytoplankton. But, there is also about a half dozen species of phyto available to hobbyists. Here, we will go into detail on each species and their benefits to your tank. These live foods can be added to your tank to do more than just feed microfauna. Phytoplankton in and of itself discourages nuisance algae growth and coral polyp extension and feeding! Isochrysis Galbana Iso is a mobile alga, two flagella are used for locomotion. It is high in DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), which plays a major role in nervous system development. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in these single-celled algae, is being found to make cancer and tumor cells undergo programmed cell death. In addition, Fucoxanthin was shown to reduce weight and decrease insulin resistance in animals diagnosed with obesity. And let’s be honest, we all have some fish that are a little chubby! Due to its nutritional value, it is one of the phytoplankton used to enrich copepods, Brine, mysids, rotifers, or other live foods to make them more beneficial to the consumers. Iso is also one of the most prominent feeds used in bivalve (such as clam) hatchery facilities due to its nutritional profile. So, this is a great option for feeding your tank! Nearly all bivalves, corals, and filter feeders will accept Isochrysis. Nannochloropsis This is a genus comprised of 6 different species that can only be distinguished from one another by genetic sequence analysis. Because of this, most cultures contain more than one species of Nano. Unlike Iso, these algae are not mobile and can actually be found in fresh, brackish, and full saltwater environments. As such, freshwater clams and filter feeders can also benefit from the freshwater cultures of Nano. Nannochloropsis is able to accumulate huge amounts of astaxanthin, a pigment that improves red, yellow, and orange coloration. Zeaxanthin is carotenoid alcohol, and can also be found in Nano. It is also a pigment that enhances red, yellow, and orange colors. Spirulina is another source of this pigment. Finally, the pigment Canthaxanthin is also present in this phytoplankton. As with the other two substances, it enhances gold, yellow, and orange colors. Nano is also rich in EPA. Basically, this phytoplankton can help your livestock’s pink, red, orange, and yellow colors deepen and pop. Who doesn’t love naturally brilliantly colored animals? Due to the fast-growing and quick reproduction of Nano, it can be added to the aquarium to hinder the growth of unwanted pest algae. It will easily outcompete these other species and is easily caught and consumed by all filter feeders, so it will not become a nuisance in and of itself. These properties, along with its three-month shelf life when refrigerated, make it a top choice for aquarists. So, what do copepods eat? Well, this phytoplankton may be one of the best options! Tetraselmis Suecica Tet is single-celled, motile algae. Although not as much information is easily available on this species, it is known to be rich in lipids, DHA, EPA, and arginine. Arginine is an important amino acid, as it is a neurotransmitter that aids in blood circulation. It also has a role in injury healing, removing toxins like ammonia from the body, and maintaining a healthy immune system. To keep your fish and inverts in top shape, it is easy to understand why an arginine-rich diet is beneficial. It is also one of the most carbohydrate-rich microalgae, which means it has more digestible glucose than other phytoplankton. Pods and other foods enriched with Tet are an easy addition to your feeding regimen that can keep your fish as healthy as possible! Thalassiosira Weissflogii Also occurring in fresh, brackish, and full saltwater, Thal is technically a diatom that is not motile. It can grow in less-than-stellar water conditions, including in chlorinated water! Iron, nickel, zinc, nitrogen, and silicates are all used by Thalassiosira, and these are limiting factors for its growth. This means if you discover that you have high metal concentrations in your tank through ICP or lab testing, adding Thal can greatly benefit your tank by removing these potential dangers. Due to the fact that it actively uses and depletes silicate in aquaria, it can be dosed to outcompete nuisance diatoms that grow over our sand and rocks. Thal is preferred by many filter feeders as it is larger in size than the other species on this list and can be used by older fry and larval invertebrates. And, individuals attach to one another and can form longer chains of Thal, so even the coarsest of filter feeders can utilize this species. Closing Thoughts As we can see from the above information, live phytoplankton has many benefits to offer your tank and livestock. If you find yourself wondering “what do copepods eat,” “what else can I feed my corals,” “how can I grow my pod population,” or “what are some natural defenses to nuisance algae” it may be time to look towards implementing a dosing regimen for phytoplankton. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, many companies are now offering mixed-species cultures to feed your livestock, so you get the benefits of each individual phyto. Some even include species not covered in this article, but these four types are some of the most prominent and beneficial ones available to hobbyists.
Robert Cleary says May 11, 2020 at 6:18 am Hw often do I feed it on an average week . How do I know if is dead Reply
Shawn Wells says August 4, 2020 at 9:50 am I feed 2 ounces a night per 50 gal. Will start to turn yellow and less dark green. Just shake and dont allow to settle to the bottom for long periods of time. I shake my hugs in the morning and at night. Reply
Miyoshi Hemingway says January 27, 2021 at 1:56 pm I haven’t received mine in the mail yet; supposed to be delivered tonight. I am looking so forward to using it; I can’t wait to see how my Derasa likes it. Reply
Carlos Matias-Tejada says April 19, 2021 at 5:34 pm thanks for the info. just recently ordered some phyto for my pods. Reply
Carlos Matias-Tejada says May 26, 2021 at 7:26 pm thanks for the tip! had two bottles laying in the fridge i have not kept up with… Reply
Patrick says September 13, 2021 at 2:26 pm +1 on this! I’ve kept bottles too long and they are wasted. Reply
Rhett Unbehagen says October 11, 2021 at 6:01 pm What about for smaller systems like less than 20 gallons Reply
Shawn Wells says August 4, 2020 at 9:50 am I feed 2 ounces a night per 50 gal. Will start to turn yellow and less dark green. Just shake and dont allow to settle to the bottom for long periods of time. I shake my hugs in the morning and at night. Reply
james.faber says August 25, 2020 at 5:13 am I feed my 180gal reef tank one capsule per day, That seems to do the trick Reply
Branden says October 16, 2020 at 2:20 pm I feed once a week with phyto and once a month with pods! Reply
jenachristicarter says March 9, 2021 at 11:44 am Do you find that your pods are reproducing? Or do you have to keep buying more? Reply
Gerardo Barbaro Santamarina says October 26, 2020 at 3:10 pm I use it every month with great outcome in my tank. Reply
Regina Heitschmidt says October 28, 2020 at 4:18 pm Good question. I would like to know as well. Reply
Regina Heitschmidt says October 28, 2020 at 4:18 pm Good question. I would like to know as well. Reply
Diana Alipradi says June 18, 2021 at 6:59 am I’d like to know when it’s time to throw out my bottles when it’s passes the expiration date. Reply
William Ludwig says August 23, 2021 at 1:56 pm On my 120 gal tank I feed 50 ml every other day. On my new 225 upgrade tank, I will feed more. I am currently going thru a Dino issue and I dose 150 ml daily to help combat the dinos. As it was said already, make sure it doens’t settle on the bottom. I shake the bottoms up every day to make sure it doesn’t settle. Reply
Joy Chadwick says August 10, 2020 at 2:51 pm I learn something new everyday with saltwater aquariums!!! Reply
Vance Henson says November 21, 2020 at 12:36 pm Same here. Lots of good info out there. as well as some not so good. Reply
Bret Petri says March 9, 2021 at 1:23 am I typically dose 60ml per day between direct feeding corals, target feeding my maxima and into the sump as pod food. Reply
jamie.weatherman says September 14, 2020 at 3:41 pm What do you mean by fully sterile tank? I’ve never heard of that before Reply
jamie.weatherman says September 14, 2020 at 3:41 pm What do you mean by fully sterile tank? I’ve never heard of that before Reply
david w sheffield says October 12, 2020 at 6:46 pm Probably everything dry/quarentined/dipped before it goes into the system.
Kaylie says May 11, 2020 at 2:22 pm Awesome, in depth look at phyto! Appreciate the time you took to put this together, thank you! Reply
Matthew Armstrong says November 25, 2020 at 8:34 pm Appreciate the time you took to put this together, thank you! Reply
Kevin says May 11, 2020 at 6:52 pm Live photoplankton is the most useful stuff I’ve ever put in my aquarium. Very helpful, thank you. Reply
niko petrone says May 12, 2020 at 12:22 am it is interesting that different organisms promote different color vibrancy in corals. Reply
fycameron62 says May 13, 2020 at 3:24 am Just getting started in reefing and so much to learn. Just trying to enjoy the ride. Reply
rayhaley says August 10, 2020 at 3:05 pm Same here. Just started my refugium and corals are next. Reply
Jared Friedrich says May 14, 2020 at 5:37 am That is why I am ordering all my macro algae and copepods from you guys because I trust what you have in them. Scary pouring a jar of stuff into your tank when you really don’t know what could be in it Reply
Ron Primas says May 18, 2020 at 2:36 pm I feed my reef and seahorse tank with this twice a day. Gets expensive but worth every penny with the results Reply
Michael A. Huerta says May 18, 2020 at 3:17 pm trying to grow plankton for my rotifers but it isnt growing fast enough! Reply
themarqker says May 18, 2020 at 5:52 pm I love how informative this website is about all of its products allowing us to buy the best option for our aquatic friends! Reply
Jean Pattison says May 20, 2020 at 9:33 am I have read this over and over. I am getting ready for a refugium for pods. Thank you. Reply
Jean Pattison says May 20, 2020 at 9:34 am I have read this over and over. I am getting ready for a refugium for pods. Thank you. Reply
Jean Pattison says May 20, 2020 at 9:46 am Not accepting my comment, so trying again. Once fuge is up and running, will be using this. Reply
Matt Traylor says May 20, 2020 at 1:18 pm Great article! I’ve known about these beneficial critters for a long time, but nice to see an in depth article about how important they really are! Reply
Jared Andrews says May 20, 2020 at 7:19 pm Great information! Can’t wait to get pods for my new nano setup! Reply
Kitema Byrd says May 25, 2020 at 5:33 pm This is very informative! I’m interested in learning more. Reply
michael m mcelroy says May 27, 2020 at 3:49 pm love salt tanks and reef tanks would love to win one Reply
Karen Johnston Nation says May 27, 2020 at 8:50 pm so many planktons! Is zooplankton like powered reef roids not good for copepods? I bought a batch from lfs today but next time I iwll order from you guys but was in a hurry to get my yellow clown goby to eat. She sold me reef nutrituin tiggers. It says large but pretty tiny and I know they get much bigger because I have seen some in my tank already. I am afraid they will get to big for their small mouths so my questions are : how do I get them out once they get to large for them to eat If they havnt consumed them all? ? I hope I idnt make a big mistake beacause I already poured a little in there! I really didn’t want this for my 10 gallon but I would like copepods for sure for my biggertank that is almost done cycling. Can I add right after cycle to my big tank? If refrigerated how long are they good for? The bottle was package 3 weeks ago already! Tisbe probably would have been a better choice but she didint have any and I was afriad they would be to small to eat right away! Wish I could have found cyclopeeze locally or baby brine. Reply
D Thompson says May 28, 2020 at 8:49 am I feel as if I learn something every time I get on here. Reply
Christopher C Poynter says May 31, 2020 at 12:31 pm Wondering if this will increase the growth rate of my slower-growing corals… Reply
danieldoherty2 says June 1, 2020 at 2:11 pm Always satisfied with Algae Barn. Packaging is always perfect and the items are all high quality. Pod it up! Reply
Pricilla Pamment says June 1, 2020 at 2:20 pm Can’t wait to get my order soon and make comments! Reply
Lonnie Goldman says June 5, 2020 at 3:38 pm I’m just getting back into reefing. This was a great article. Thanks Reply
Steve says June 8, 2020 at 3:13 pm I was thinking of getting some Chateo but never grew this before. Does it require intense light and what about water movement . Any help guys would be greatly appreciated ?? Reply
Matt Dennison says June 8, 2020 at 9:38 pm Really enjoy the read and the effort put into the blog…!!! Reply
Meredith Scott says June 8, 2020 at 11:56 pm Super good read! Im culturing my own pods, so this was very informational! Reply
Jean Pattison says June 9, 2020 at 9:34 pm Have read this a few times as well as your other blogs. I now have a refugium light so getting close. Reply
Jeff Biondi says June 15, 2020 at 3:30 pm I saw a huge improvement on my tank after adding pods and feeding live phytoplankton. Reply
Kevin Johnson says June 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm I learned much more than I expected. Thanks for the article. Reply
Laura Strait says June 16, 2020 at 3:50 am Good read! Thanks for the informative posts, keep it up. Reply
Combat Corals says June 16, 2020 at 8:53 am Best Chateo hands down love natural nutrient removal Reply
Robert Palmer says June 17, 2020 at 10:24 am A Lot to read and acknowledge when you are a Beginner …. I’ve bought the 4 unique 16 oz. … once a month should do it for a NEW TANK!!!~ 🙂 Reply
Sarah Michelle Morales says June 19, 2020 at 2:49 pm Does the protein skimmer being after the refugium make a problem? Reply
michaelbotzenmayer says June 21, 2020 at 4:20 am How can you dose this with automated? How long can it survive without refrigeration? Reply
Colin Klimowski says June 23, 2020 at 5:34 am Interesting take on the different species, seems like a good blend. Reply
Josimar Chali says June 24, 2020 at 4:16 am Well I just ordered for the first time some Pom Pom macro algae and Ecopods,I’m so exited to get my order!!! Reply
Matthew Lunsford says June 24, 2020 at 10:34 am Semi new to the saltwater realm however excited to begin the journey. Currently have a 100 gallon tank setup with a 30 gallon sump/refugium! Reply
Brian says June 26, 2020 at 4:00 am How long should you wait after setting up a new tank to add pods and macro? Reply
Stephen Torres says June 29, 2020 at 4:13 pm Have learned so much from all your informative blog posts. And my little scooter blend loves when I get a shipment of pods from you guys! Reply
dragonprincess74008 says June 29, 2020 at 5:10 pm This was so informative and in-depth! I definitely want to try them! Reply
Linh Nguyen says June 30, 2020 at 7:29 am Very interesting and informative article. Never thought about different types of phytoplankton species till now.. Reply
Chris K. says July 6, 2020 at 1:49 pm Thanks for sharing some facts on phytoplankton along with photos. I’ve noticed my corals can’t get enough phytoplankton. Reply
katrinkam says July 7, 2020 at 2:22 pm Didn’t realize it would out compete other algae…good to know. Thanks Reply
Vickie L Couturier says July 13, 2020 at 1:28 am im just getting started and all this information is so interesting and good to know Reply
Tiffany Watson says July 13, 2020 at 3:44 pm Search for info on tank feeding they said…. algae barn to the rescue… down the rabbit hole of information I will go! ? Reply
Brandon Baumann says July 13, 2020 at 4:10 pm Honestly did not know there were so many species of phytoplankton Reply
markfmvl says July 13, 2020 at 4:13 pm since these phyto are live when added to the tank, how easily do they colonize and become residents as part of the ecosystem of you tank? Reply
Ricardo says November 5, 2020 at 8:27 am This is great information thank you. Now I have a better understanding ?? thanks again. Reply
lavishtour says July 18, 2020 at 4:08 am Im just adding Pods now. Do they reproduce on their own or do i have to do something to help them along? Reply
Robert leffler says July 22, 2020 at 7:43 am Yes once my tanks takes off I will need this as well!!! Reply
Joaquin Diaz says July 26, 2020 at 12:12 am This was a very informative blog post, like your usual. I’d like to know more about Phytoplankton, maybe a few profiles on more species. Also, profiles on fishes would be really nice. I’ve been trusting y’all advice and my reef tank looks great. Would love to see what you guys recommend for individual fish species Reply
Gabby Wilson says July 27, 2020 at 1:41 pm I didn’t know there were 6 different species of Nanno! Thanks for the info! Reply
Marcos Ostria says July 27, 2020 at 2:30 pm I have seen a large difference since adding phyto to my tank! Reply
ryan2577p says August 3, 2020 at 12:12 pm I want to make a small refugium in my Evo 5! I think it would help tremendously! Reply
cruzryanc says August 4, 2020 at 10:46 am I’m happy to have found AlgaeBarn.com. Looking forward to my one stop shop for all of my aquarium needs. Reply
Lisa McNinch says August 5, 2020 at 2:16 pm Thank you for all the great and thorough info! Im new to sw and this is very helpful! Reply
Ryan says August 10, 2020 at 6:20 pm This Phyto made my pod population explode was dosing twice a day need more will have to order again soon by far the best product I’ve used Reply
N J says August 10, 2020 at 10:54 pm I wonder if anyone has tried doing math about how many mL of phyto feeds enough pods to support something like the coveted dragonet? Reply
Michael Serletic says August 14, 2020 at 12:24 pm How often would you dose for a 20L mixed reef? Reply
dcmartinpc says August 14, 2020 at 3:13 pm Thanks for the I depth review! Love the content you guys are putting up here! Reply
Kevin Johnson says August 17, 2020 at 3:43 pm Very informative. I didn’t know that there were this many types of Phyto. Reply
flip mode says August 17, 2020 at 4:11 pm Would love a chance to have some professional advice from y’all! Reply
Marcelo rodriguez says August 17, 2020 at 5:28 pm Seems like a great company that caters to its customers Reply
Krystal Cormier says August 18, 2020 at 5:50 am Love all you put into helping us have a amazing and successful setup! Reply
David Irwin says August 18, 2020 at 11:51 am Love these pods, gotta place an order here soon again Reply
Edward Ullrich says August 19, 2020 at 7:13 am Wow, and I thought I knew Copa-pods…… great information! Thanks so much for the details. Reply
mistersova says August 24, 2020 at 1:35 pm Everything I have ever gotten from here has been A+++++ My sea lettuce, clams, phyto…. such high quality Reply
bigredreefer says August 25, 2020 at 4:11 am I am so interested in trying phyto in my tank I really think my corals would thrive from the use. but, I am nervous. Reply
Michael Rodrigues says August 26, 2020 at 3:35 pm Cannot wait to get my reef tank seeded with all of this! Reply
Tanner Funai says September 1, 2020 at 3:25 am Love the CADE products to come as well as the 5280, Pioneer Pods and of course the Apocylopse. Can’t wait to try your OceanMagik phytoplankton! Reply
Tanner Funai says September 1, 2020 at 3:29 am OceanMagik Phytoplankton is a must for your corals and copepods! Reply
Christina Duncan says September 14, 2020 at 10:27 am I can not sem to get a strong copepod colony established. Thanks for the informative article. Reply
Ellery Wong says September 14, 2020 at 5:45 pm Been manually dosing Nanochloropsis primarily for Tridacna clams but we’ll see if it helps with fighting other nuisance algaes. Reply
Chris says September 15, 2020 at 5:38 pm Wonder why so many comments. Lol. Interesting article though Reply
Donna Vassilio says September 16, 2020 at 5:44 am I’ve been looking into adding phytoplankton to my tank. This was very informative. Thank you! Reply
Brian says September 19, 2020 at 5:01 am What’s the best way to clean out refugium without killing my pods? Reply
Mark Powell says September 19, 2020 at 6:21 am I have used there products and wow my tank come alive . I recommend there products. Reply
Winston Van Essendelft says September 21, 2020 at 10:26 pm I’m def gonna need to re-read this when I officially get my tank set up. Very informative. Reply
Robert Smartt says September 22, 2020 at 5:03 pm Im a newb so all these informative blogs are a wealth Reply
Elli Hayes says September 25, 2020 at 3:03 pm I’m visiting your website and can’t wait to try your products! Reply
Jennifer Lye says September 28, 2020 at 3:26 pm Amazing stuff! My tank started growing once I started dosing correctly. Reply
Andrew says September 28, 2020 at 3:31 pm I’m super excited foe my first batch of mixed pods. Mandarin is going to love this! Reply
Phyllis Skoglund says September 28, 2020 at 9:18 pm Well I’ve been looking for more information on SALT WATER REVIVALS all my salt life. I’be been living in and by the ocean for the past 20 years. Reply
Austin says October 6, 2020 at 7:10 am Cool article, I need to start building a population in my tank. Reply
James Curtis says October 9, 2020 at 4:53 am I could use this the captive mandarin goby i got from you all would love some more food. Reply
William umphlett says October 14, 2020 at 2:10 am Thanks for the info, I am new to saltwater and this was very informative Reply
Natasha Brodsky says October 16, 2020 at 9:23 am Thanks for the information. I have been wondering about this. Reply
devon maynard says October 19, 2020 at 5:34 pm Awesome article I love the science behind things. Reply
Thelma says October 24, 2020 at 9:11 pm Nice read!! Very informative! Love the science behind it all!! Reply
Glen says October 26, 2020 at 3:37 pm Great information! Didn’t know the tiny played such a huge role in a healthy tank. Thank you. Reply
Glen Morrison Jr says October 26, 2020 at 3:42 pm Great information. I never knew the tiny played such a large part in a health tank. Thank you. Reply
Kristina Rosenberg says November 6, 2020 at 1:21 pm Love pods and photo… mine are doing excellent from Algae Barn. ❤️ Great purchase! Reply
Cody Fisher says November 10, 2020 at 10:53 am i added some tiger pods. hawkfish had a field day.[ Reply
Chris says November 17, 2020 at 6:16 am Has anyone seen an impact on nuisance algae after using phyto ? Reply
mterry9239 says January 19, 2021 at 8:12 am Yes. Mine has went down drastically. Took about 3 weeks for it to REALLY show it helps, but once it started my tank cleared up dramatically. Reply
ron0510 says November 18, 2020 at 8:30 am Excellent information. I need to add phytoplankton to my reef> Reply
Jennifer Lye says November 23, 2020 at 7:04 pm Since I have begun feeding on a regular, my tank looks so much happier! Reply
arlan says December 6, 2020 at 9:15 am I have seahorses so keeping the pod population is a must this seems to work well Reply
Mauricio says January 5, 2021 at 10:59 am New tank here. How often do you feed and how do you even start? Lol Reply
James Duncan says January 16, 2021 at 10:08 pm I can’t wait to build the pod population in my 150. They’re an important part of the tanks ecosystem. Reply
mterry9239 says January 18, 2021 at 5:58 pm I use 2oz AlgaeBarn Phyto every other day. I have seen more growth and better overall coloration since I have started. I also replenish with EcoPods once a month. Thanks AlgaeBarn and will continue to do service with you. Reply
Ellery says January 19, 2021 at 12:38 pm I use Nanochloropsis for now. Maybe I need to culture other strains too. Reply
Daniel Lenger says January 21, 2021 at 3:58 pm Anybody have a pod recommendation for feeding seahorses? Reply
Christina Mills says January 24, 2021 at 11:53 pm So glad I found your site, I have learned so much!! Reply
Carol Mauch says January 25, 2021 at 5:45 pm So good for feeding the nearly invisible creatures! Reply
Jerry B says January 26, 2021 at 8:53 am It’s been about 20 years since I last had a reef tank. “Bio balls” and “trickle filter” were the words being tossed around back then. Looks like I have much to learn… I feed frozen food and some pellets but this is a whole new level for me! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do. Reply
Jacy Magers says January 31, 2021 at 11:46 am Thank you for the info, getting my ultimate refugium starter this week. Reply
Tyler Smith says February 1, 2021 at 4:37 pm Now I just need a sump to keep the copepods so they can breed before they all get eaten! Reply
Keith Upton says February 1, 2021 at 9:44 pm Do you add the Phyto before or after adding the pods? Or add them at the same time? Reply
Jennifer Whitaker says February 1, 2021 at 11:46 pm I noticed a huge difference in coral growth when I started dosing with Phyto! I definitely need to order more! Reply
Frank Politi says February 2, 2021 at 6:26 am So hard to see and takes many weeks for them to reproduce. However, the payoff will be great!! Reply
Ethon says February 2, 2021 at 7:03 am Yall should make a kit of rotifers and phyto specifically for breeding clownfish Reply
tony says February 9, 2021 at 12:23 pm I just added pods two weeks ago and Phytoplancton 4OZ daily. My tank looks cleaner and the corals look happier. Reply
harry-7258 says February 9, 2021 at 3:04 pm received another shipment of pods. The fish are happy! Reply
Jacob Gricar says February 10, 2021 at 11:06 am Do you keep a separate tank with a secondary colony of pods and feed it phyto? My mandarin is a crazy eater. Reply
Jacob Gricar says February 10, 2021 at 11:08 am This will be a big help. Looking to add a female mandarin to my reef. Reply
John King says February 12, 2021 at 10:03 am Is it better to feed the phytoplankton in the morning or evening? Reply
Steve Griffin says February 15, 2021 at 11:23 am Happy to be a part of this blog. Let the learning begin!! Reply
mkbmorissette says February 20, 2021 at 6:09 am On my 6 bottler feeding daily and loving it thx Reply
cctran says February 25, 2021 at 1:52 pm Interesting article. I appreciate the in depth analysis of the microorganisms in the bottle. Really shows that the research has been done to ensure that we are not getting a bottle of snake oil. My first order is being shipped out on Monday and will definitely document progression as a casual reef hobbyist with a low tech build. Reply
Daniel Oh says March 1, 2021 at 8:00 pm Thank you for the informational in insightful description and facts. Reply
Elva Duran says March 5, 2021 at 5:28 am Still using phytoplankton that a family member bought for me this past Christmas Reply
Kirk says March 9, 2021 at 10:10 am Just started my tank in December, this would be great to jump start establishing pods. Reply
Katelynn Lee says March 11, 2021 at 10:39 am I’ve been looking for a good place to get phyto! This looks great Reply
Christopher Kerr says March 17, 2021 at 6:06 pm Good info to know! I’ve never fed any phyto before. I’ll definitely look into starting now! Reply
JanCarlo Bustamante says March 18, 2021 at 9:29 pm So interesting how small these guys are and the impact they have Reply
Krista Frost says March 24, 2021 at 2:41 pm Interesting article. I’m just starting up my first saltwater tank and want to go as natural as possible. Reply
Jolene says March 30, 2021 at 1:06 pm I am interested in raising my yellow watchmen goby fry, I am wondering if you will supply Parvo pods or s- rotifers? Reply
Alonzo Huse says April 2, 2021 at 4:21 am This helped cycle a new take for me in the ugly stages. Reply
Matthew Antolovich says April 19, 2021 at 6:03 pm Nanno and Nano are used interchangeably in the article, but aren’t they two separate types of phyto? Reply
Lilian Simmons says April 20, 2021 at 9:16 am I LOVE that your macro algae are clean!!!! I love your products! Reply
Jennifer Kennedy says April 22, 2021 at 7:20 pm Live phyto is soooo much better for your aquarium than the stuff you can buy on the shelf at the LFS. So worth it!! Thanks, Algaebarn! Reply
matthewcantu88 says April 26, 2021 at 12:22 pm Seem to really benefit my tank. It’s so crazy the different variations and the biodiversity Reply
Robert Palmer says April 28, 2021 at 5:25 am Most Definitely Great Information Seeing I Am Stocking my tank monthly with live phyto and pods…I try different pods every other month 🙂 You Can Never Have Enough Thanks to the intense / Advanced Filtration systems of Today! Thanks @ALGAEBARN.COM Robert… Reply
joshuameadows989 says May 13, 2021 at 1:41 pm Will be doing a unboxing of baby brine shrimp reel soon for algae barn Reply
becks17 says May 10, 2021 at 5:23 pm This is great info and has really turned me onto always keeping live phyto available in my feeding rotation. Reply
Heather O'Sullivan says May 18, 2021 at 5:18 am Great information. Recently started to build a pod population to feed a seahorse tank I am looking to setup. Have noticed my algae issue quickly diminished but didn’t make the connection to adding the pods and dosing phyto. Reply
dsims369 says May 18, 2021 at 8:50 am Great info, I love learning more about how to better my little piece of the ocean Reply
David Ekers says May 21, 2021 at 7:21 pm I need to experiment with phyto in the softy tank I’m starting. May have a mandarin (captive bred like ALL of my fish) and this would help the pod population. Not going to dose to my reef; way too much filtration going on for this to be available for food. Reply
Rishov bhattacharya says May 25, 2021 at 10:51 pm Super informative ,taking aquarium science to a whole new level. Reply
Carlos Matias-Tejada says May 26, 2021 at 7:27 pm may have to dose more… need to stock up for my future mandarin! Reply
Jeff Schultz says June 13, 2021 at 12:14 pm Love algaebarn and all their products. Get them pods! Reply
Jeff Schultz says June 13, 2021 at 12:14 pm Love algaebarn and all their products. Get them pods! Reply
Michael says June 27, 2021 at 11:32 pm If I have no predators, will I need to replace initial seeding? Reply
Cody Baker says July 7, 2021 at 1:15 pm Love all the info you share, you have some great tips and your copepods are hands down the best! Reply
dsdoyle says July 19, 2021 at 7:08 pm AB is great! They have been very helpful and I keep coming back to them. THANK YOU! Reply
Lilly Moore says July 27, 2021 at 3:43 pm I love that there are different species of phytoplankton Reply
Lilly Moore says July 27, 2021 at 3:43 pm I love that there are different species of phytoplankton Reply
stephen332 says July 31, 2021 at 9:51 am Nice informative article. Its reminding me to order some more phyto!!! Reply
gerrynator4 says August 2, 2021 at 7:22 pm I haven’t tried phytoplankton just yet, but I’m excited to try them along with some new pods! Reply
paul.lambert says August 10, 2021 at 3:08 am Would be cool if you could post more microscopic images of things we see in our aquaria! Reply
Kim says August 16, 2021 at 3:34 pm I just entered my first order. I am looking forward to the day when I can confidently add a Mandarin Dragonet. Algae Barn’s great deal on pods is making it happen. Reply
Kim says August 16, 2021 at 3:34 pm I just entered my first order. I am looking forward to the day when I can confidently add a Mandarin Dragonet. Algae Barn’s great deal on pods is making it happen. Reply
Steve Ozark says August 16, 2021 at 5:13 pm I feed phyto to copepods in the display and sump 3x a week. I add rotifers to the display daily and my corals and tank cleanliness really show the results! Reply
david gutierrez says August 17, 2021 at 11:27 pm love algae barn am learning so much as i go and alit feom them thank you! Reply
PHIRANY SUN says August 24, 2021 at 12:10 am Now this was informative. So much more to the saltwater world to learn. Thank you all who commented and gave advice to us newbies! Reply
Namon Mcwilliams says August 30, 2021 at 5:42 pm Just ordered some phytoplankton, unfortunately it’s back ordered but can’t wait to see the impact on my reef. Reply
Alicia white says September 17, 2021 at 10:05 pm I realize that different phytoplankton have different smells, I bought one from an exotic fish store and it smelled like eggs and the ocean OMG, but when I ordered the Ocean Magic from algaebarn it actually has no smell in my opinion, so I’m really happy about the no smell thing lol Reply
dchoma says September 18, 2021 at 4:29 am I heard Tisbe pods actually eat dinos – looking forward to trying this! Reply
chris gargano says September 27, 2021 at 5:26 pm Awesome. Very insightful article. Great source of information. Reply
William Deng says September 28, 2021 at 3:34 am Great and informative – thanks for the knowledge! Reply
Natalie Muncy says October 9, 2021 at 10:38 am Do we need to add the phytoplankton after the two week dosage is given? Reply
rocco morra says October 10, 2021 at 10:22 pm Just getting ready to setup a Recife 40 gallon cube reef aquarium, no room for a refugium in the AIO setup as it is now. Can I add pods and photo to tank directly? If so, how much would be needed for tis size? Reply
Elizabeth says October 24, 2021 at 3:35 pm I’m a nurse so the info about Iso is fascinating and will definitely be a part of my pico reef Reply
greg.chernoff says November 3, 2021 at 7:58 pm Thank you, we try and keep as broad a library about this hobby as we possibly can! Reply
JAMES HAMILTON says November 2, 2021 at 8:40 am I have not personally noticed a difference when feeding the phyto but maybe Im doing it wrong. Reply
Brittany says November 3, 2021 at 5:39 am Super helpful information as a new reefer! Thank you! Reply
Debbie says November 7, 2021 at 6:19 am Love all of your articles!!!! Scientific but easy to understand-great job Reply
Kokass Angeles says November 8, 2021 at 4:10 pm Has AB thought about working with Neptune/BRS or someone similar to develop a phyto dosing system? Something that occasionally stirs and keeps product chilled for dosing? There is definitely a need, though how niche I’m not sure. I’m thinking of building one – but… it would be easier if integrated with my other systems. Reply
Tiffany Hook says November 20, 2021 at 12:54 am Thanks for the great info my still pretty new to saltwater tanks. Reply
radavis12 says December 10, 2021 at 2:02 pm I just ordered my first stuff, and so far I love it. My tank has a lot of filter feeders, so I will probably need to order more as time goes on. Reply
radavis12 says December 10, 2021 at 2:02 pm I just ordered my first stuff, and so far I love it. My tank has a lot of filter feeders, so I will probably need to order more as time goes on. Reply
Maggie H says December 17, 2021 at 5:16 pm Sounds like solid information, it was a good read and very informative! Reply
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