Complete Reef Ecosystem Kit: LIVE Copepods 16oz + LIVE Phytoplankton 16oz
The ultimate two-bottle solution for a self-sustaining saltwater aquarium. Stop buying pods that disappear. Stop starving your corals. This combo gives you everything you need to establish, feed, and maintain a booming copepod population while naturally feeding your entire reef.
Why This Combo Works (The Science)
Copepods eat phytoplankton. Without phyto, pods starve and die. With phyto, pods thrive, reproduce, and create a permanent live food factory in your tank. This combo provides:
- 16oz LIVE Copepods – 3,000+ adult pods (Tisbe + Tigriopus) to seed your tank.
- 16oz LIVE Phytoplankton – feed pods and corals.
Together, they create a closed-loop ecosystem: phyto feeds pods → pods clean algae and feed fish → pods reproduce → more food for corals. You get less maintenance, healthier fish, and explosive coral growth.
What’s Inside the Combo?
🦐 LIVE Copepods – 16oz Bottle
- Volume: 16 fl oz (473 ml)
- Live Pod Count: 3,000+ adult copepods + thousands of nauplii (babies)
- Ships with: Small amount of phytoplankton to keep pods alive during transit
🌿 LIVE Phytoplankton – 16oz Bottle
- Volume: 16 fl oz (473 ml)
- Cell Count: 100+ million live microalgae cells per bottle
- Species Blend: Nannochloropsis – the exact strains pods and corals need
- No preservatives or refrigeration required (store in fridge after opening for best results)
Who Needs This Combo?
- ✅ New tank owners: Seed your dry rock and sand with life from day one.
- ✅ Mandarin & dragonet keepers: Ensure a continuous supply of live prey.
- ✅ Coral enthusiasts: LPS and SPS corals directly consume phytoplankton and pod nauplii.
- ✅ Algae battlers: Pods eat brown diatoms, cyano, and film algae; phyto outcompetes bad algae.
- ✅ Clownfish breeders: Phyto feeds rotifers; pods feed fry – a complete hatchery starter kit.
- ✅ Anyone tired of losing pods: Without phyto, pods starve. With this combo, they THRIVE.
How to Use the Combo (Simple 3-Step Process)
Step 1: Add the Copepods First
Float the copepod bag in your tank for 15 minutes. Turn off protein skimmer and UV sterilizer. Pour pods directly into your refugium or over live rock. Keep skimmer/UV off for 2-4 hours.
Step 2: Feed Phytoplankton Immediately
Within 1 hour of adding pods, dose 10ml of LIVE Phytoplankton per 50 gallons of tank water. This gives pods an instant food source and encourages them to settle and breed.
Step 3: Maintain the Boom
For the first two weeks, dose 5-10ml of phytoplankton every other day. After that, dose 2-3 times per week to keep your pod population breeding continuously. One 16oz phyto bottle typically lasts a 75-gallon tank 4-6 weeks.
Live Delivery Guarantee
We ship combo packs Monday–Wednesday via Priority Mail in insulated, climate-controlled packaging. Both bottles are guaranteed to arrive alive and active. If either bottle shows no visible movement (pods) or no green coloration (phyto), contact us within 2 hours of delivery for a free replacement or full refund.
Frequently Asked Questions – Combo Edition
Q: Can I use this combo in a nano tank (under 20 gallons)?
A: Yes! For small tanks, use half the copepod bottle (save the rest in the fridge for up to 5 days) and dose only 2-3ml of phyto every other day. The combo is concentrated — adjust dosage to your tank volume.
Q: How long does the phytoplankton last after opening?
A: Refrigerate after opening and use within 3-4 months. Shake well before each use. You'll know it's still good by the vibrant green color and mild seaweed smell. If it turns brown or smells rotten, discard.
Q: Do I still need to feed my fish flake or frozen food?
A: Yes. Copepods and phyto are supplements, not complete replacements. Most fish still need prepared foods. However, picky eaters like mandarins may thrive on pods alone if the population is strong enough.
Q: Can I dose too much phytoplankton?
A: Overdosing phyto can temporarily cloud your water and raise nutrients. Start with 5-10ml per 50 gallons and observe. If water gets hazy, skip a day. Your corals and pods will tell you when they're hungry — better polyp extension and more pod activity means they want more.
Q: Will the copepods breed in my tank without a refugium?
A: Yes, but a refugium or dense rockwork greatly improves survival rates. If you have heavy predators (wrasses, mandarins), consider adding a simple mesh "pod hotel" or a clump of chaeto algae in a corner of your display tank.