Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton

Proper storage of your live phytoplankton cultures will keep them alive and nutritious for as long as possible. Here’s how to store Pod Your Reef phytoplankton and manage its shelf life:

1. Keep Refrigerated

Always store live phyto in the refrigerator at around 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) when not actively dosing. Cold temperatures slow metabolism and growth, placing microalgae into a state of stasis. This helps preserve their nutrients and extends shelf life.

Do not store at room temperature — this will cause the culture to age rapidly or crash.

In proper refrigeration, Pod Your Reef’s dense 16 oz phyto cultures typically last 4–8 weeks. For best results, use within one month. Hardy species like Nannochloropsis may remain viable for up to two months.

Signs of spoilage include:

• Foul, sulfurous, or rotten smell
• Dark, clumpy sediment that does not resuspend when shaken

2. Shake Periodically

Gently shake or swirl the bottle every 1–3 days to prevent algae cells from settling into a thick, oxygen-deprived layer at the bottom.

Pod Your Reef bottles are transparent, so a bit of ambient fridge light (or brief light exposure while shaking) is beneficial. Do not store in direct sunlight or brightly lit areas, which may cause overheating or contamination.

3. Allow Occasional Gas Exchange

Phytoplankton consume CO₂ and release O₂ in light, and consume O₂ in darkness. If storing for weeks, occasionally loosen the cap briefly to allow gas exchange and prevent pressure buildup. Do this when shaking, then reseal tightly to prevent contamination or spills.

Live phytoplankton (microalgae) is an excellent constant food source and nutrient stabilizer for reef tanks. Dosing schedules can vary, but a common approach for intermediate reefers is small daily or every-other-day doses. Here are some guidelines on frequency and method:

• Start with a Small Daily Dose: It’s often recommended to begin by dosing phytoplankton daily at an amount of roughly 1 mL per 1 gallon of tank water (adjust based on your particular tank stocking). Daily dosing ensures a consistent supply of fresh phyto for filter feeders (sponges, clams, feather dusters). These corals can uptake phyto, and for sustaining your copepods and rotifers (pods consume phytoplankton as their food source in the tank.
• Observe and Adjust: After a couple of weeks of consistent dosing, gauge the effects. Ideally, you’ll notice improved polyp extension in corals and perhaps a slight reduction in nuisance film algae as pods and filter feeders multiply to consume the phyto. If water starts to look hazy or nutrients (nitrate/phosphate) climb too much, reduce the dosage. If nutrients remain in check and filter feeders are thriving, you can gradually increase the daily amount. Some advanced reefers dose much larger volumes (e.g. 100+ mL daily in large tanks), but your tank’s demand and export capacity will dictate the optimal amount. The key is to dose only as much phyto as your system can consume in about 24–48 hours.
• Timing the Dose: Dose phytoplankton when lights are out or at the end of the photoperiod. This is when corals feed more actively on plankton. Additionally, many pods emerge from the rocks to feed at night, and as they do, they feast on phytoplankton, which in turn fattens them up for fish to eat. You can pour the measured phyto dose directly into a high-flow area of the sump or display. It should spread as a “cloud” that gradually dissipates as it’s eaten or pulled into filtration. Tip: Turn off your skimmer for a couple of hours after dosing phyto so that the live microalgae isn’t immediately removed. Live phytoplankton cells can stay suspended and active for hours, removing waste and feeding creatures, but a skimmer will strip them out if left on continuously.