At Planktura, we believe that the secret to a thriving reef is hidden in the microscopic world. Our premium live phytoplankton strains – Nannochloropsis, Rhodomonas, Tetraselmis and Isochrysis – form the foundation of a healthy marine food web. We farm these tiny powerhouses with strict sterile procedures and balanced nutrition, then bottle them fresh so you can enhance your own ecosystem or even start cultivating phytoplankton at home.
Why feed live phytoplankton?
Phytoplankton are single‑celled algae that convert light and nutrients into essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and pigments. When added to a reef aquarium, they provide a natural food source for corals, clams, copepods and other filter feeders and act as tiny nutrient scrubbers that absorb excess nitrates and phosphates. Each strain in our Coral Shots range has unique benefits:
Our key strains each offer unique benefits:
- Nannochloropsis – Rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other essential fatty acids, amino acids and vitamins; promotes water quality by aiding natural waste breakdown; enhances growth and vitality of marine invertebrates. This tiny (2–5 µm) phytoplankton does not settle, making it ideal for continuous suspension and feeding and perfect for boosting fish and invertebrate immune systems and overall tank vitality.
- Rhodomonas – Packed with proteins, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids; reduces harmful nitrates and phosphates to improve water clarity; supports a balanced microfauna and microflora ecosystem. Contains phycoerythrin pigment that enhances red hues in corals; medium‑sized cells (7–20 µm) settle quickly, making it easy to target‑feed filter feeders.
- Tetraselmis – High in lipids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals; maintains water quality by promoting natural waste breakdown; boosts growth and coloration of corals and invertebrates. Medium‑sized cells (10–14 µm) and high lipid content make it the go‑to strain for copepod farming and seeding a diverse food web.
- Isochrysis – Abundant in DHA, EPA and ARA fatty acids; encourages vibrant coloration and growth in corals; absorbs excess nutrients to clarify water. Its small cell size (4–6 µm) and fast nutrient uptake make it excellent for reducing nitrates and phosphates and providing soft, digestible food for corals and copepods.
These strains are not just food – they support the entire biological cycle in a reef tank. Many customers notice clearer water, brighter corals and more active microfauna within days of dosing.
How we cultivate premium phytoplankton
Farming high‑quality phytoplankton requires meticulous sterile technique and a few simple principles. We’ve condensed our procedures into an easy‑to‑follow framework that protects culture purity without revealing proprietary details:
- Prepare and sterilize – All equipment is cleaned and sterilized using alcohol and hot water to eliminate unwanted microbes. We mix saltwater to the desired salinity for each species and prepare our nutrient blend in advance.
- Start the culture – A portion of live phytoplankton is combined with sterilized seawater in a clean vessel. We add a balanced fertiliser using our F/2 Macro and F/2 Trace solutions to provide the base nutrients. Different strains have slightly different nitrogen needs, so rather than making four separate blends we prepare one general F/2 formula and adjust the nitrate level afterwards. For example, Isochrysis enjoys higher nitrates than the standard F/2 formula, so we supplement with Nitrify (a nitrate booster) as needed. Cultures are placed under moderate light with gentle aeration so that cells remain suspended and can photosynthesise.
- Monitor and maintain – Each day we check colour and density. Healthy cultures darken as cell numbers increase. Any signs of foaming, foul odours or unusual colour prompt a transfer to a fresh sterile vessel. Cultures are topped up carefully with pre‑mixed seawater to maintain salinity and avoid shocking the cells. We never let a culture sit too long at peak density; regular splitting or bottling prevents crashes.
- Harvest – When the culture has reached a rich colour, we decant a portion into clean jugs for bottling. The remaining culture seeds the next batch. Bottles and caps are sterilised, filled with phytoplankton and labelled. A bit of headspace is left to allow for oxygenation during storage.
- Store and ship – Finished bottles are refrigerated to slow metabolism and prolong shelf life. They are gently agitated daily to keep cells in suspension. For shipping, we use insulated packing and oxygen‑rich environments so your phyto arrives alive and thriving.
Balanced nutrition with F/2 Phyto Fertilizer
Dosing your cultures is straightforward. Our F/2 Phyto Fertilizer Set – consisting of F/2 Macro and F/2 Trace – is based on Guillard’s famous F/2 medium. The Macro solution provides major nutrients and vitamins (nitrate, phosphate, thiamine, vitamin B₁₂ and biotin), while the Trace solution supplies iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt and molybdenum. These components are kept separate to prevent vitamin oxidation and preserve potency.
To use, mix equal parts of F/2 Macro and F/2 Trace into your culture water to create a nutrient‑rich base. Because not all strains require the same nitrogen level, we adjust nitrates after the base F/2 mix rather than creating four separate fertilizer blends. For example, Isochrysis thrives with slightly higher nitrate concentrations than other species, so we add Nitrify to boost nitrates when needed. After adjusting, shake well and ensure your culture receives gentle aeration and consistent lighting. This flexible approach delivers the benefits of balanced macro‑ and trace nutrients while allowing species‑specific nitrate optimization.
Bringing the farm to your aquarium
Farming phytoplankton at home is rewarding and economical. With Planktura Live Phytoplankton and our F/2 Phyto Fertilizer you can:
- Create your own copepod farm – Seed your tank with Tetraselmis to sustain a thriving copepod population; its medium‑sized, lipid‑rich cells make it ideal for copepod growth.
- Supercharge coral colour – Dose Rhodomonas to supply phycoerythrin and enhance reds and oranges in your corals.
- Improve water quality – Use Isochrysis or Nannochloropsis to naturally reduce nitrates and phosphates and keep your water crystal clear.
- Feed filter feeders naturally – All four strains provide a complete diet for clams, bivalves and filter‑feeding invertebrates. By offering live phytoplankton instead of prepared foods you avoid excess nutrients and replicate the natural reef food web.
Final thoughts
At Planktura we take pride in raising phytoplankton with the same care you put into your reef. From sterile cultivation and precise fertilisation to careful harvesting and shipping, every step is designed to deliver the freshest, most nutritious cultures to your door. Whether you want to brighten your coral colours, boost copepod populations or simply enjoy watching microscopic algae thrive, our Coral Shots and F/2 Phyto Fertilizer Set make it easy.
Ready to experience the benefits of live phyto? Visit New Dawn Aquaculture today, pick your favourite strains and grab a bottle of F/2 Phyto Fertilizer. Start small, follow the same methods we use on the farm, and soon you’ll be cultivating the reef’s most important microorganisms in your own aquarium.