Why should you phytoplankton? Phytoplankton is a critical key component in any reef aquarium. It’s at the bottom of the food chain which feeds copepods, corals, clams, and another microfauna. If you have not tried some in your tank, it’s time to grow phytoplankton yourself.

Items you will need to grow phytoplankton

• Phytoplankton Culture Kit
• f/2 Phytoplankton food
• Air Pump
• Airline
• Rigid airline tubing
• Culture Vessel
• LED Light Panel or Led Grow Bulb
• Clean Wooden Spoon
• Saltwater (1.023 – 1.026 salinity)

Directions to grow phytoplankton

Step 1 – Fill your culturing vessel with saltwater 3/4 way full.

Step 2 – Attach your airline to your air pump. Then attach your rigid airline tubing to the airline. (If you do not have rigid airline tubing you can use an air stone

Step 3 – Put the air pump above your culturing vessel to prevent any liquid from siphoning into your air pump.

Step 4 – Put your rigid airline tubing (or air stone) into your culturing vessel with saltwater and plug in your air pump.

Step 5 – Pour the phytoplankton into the culturing vessel. We recommend 8 ounces per gallon of saltwater.

Step 6 – Add f/2 phytoplankton food into your culturing vessel. We recommend 3 ml per gallon of saltwater.

Step 7 – Put your light on your phytoplankton culture and keep it on for approximately 10-12 hours daily.

Step 8 – Stir your culture daily with a wooden spoon to prevent the phytoplankton from settling at the bottom and suffocating.

Step 9 – Each day you will notice your culture getting darker and darker. After 5-7 days you can harvest your phytoplankton and begin to use it.

What is Phytoplankton used for in a reef tank

• Promotes healthy, rapid growth in corals
• Clownfish Breeding projects
• Feeding Rotifers, copepods, brine shrimp, and other microfauna
• Used to tint the water green in a fish breeding system
• Feeds and promotes healthy, rapid growth in Clams
• Increases the population of copepods in your aquarium, sump, or grow-out tank

How to store Phytoplankton

Store any unused Phytoplankton in your refrigerator and gently shake daily to prevent suffocation and to keep it alive longer. Toss out any unused Phytoplankton after 60 days.

If you have any additional questions on growing phytoplankton feel free to contact me. I will answer any questions you may have.