1 Gallon Freshwater Phytoplankton Blend — Enriches Shrimp, Daphnia, and Freshwater Tanks

DescriptionFreshwater Phytoplankton Blend – 1 Gallon Bulk Operation SizeWe culture a gallon of mixed freshwater phytoplankton (Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus, and Chlamydomonas species) at 12-18 million cells per milliliter, designed for high-volume operations dosing multiple natural foods cultures daily. At one gallon, you’re managing 45-70 billion total algal cells—enough to sustain 50,000 daphnia, 30,000 copepods, and 20,000 rotifers simultaneously for 4-6 weeks. Commercial hatcheries and institutional aquariums use this volume to achieve precision nutrition control across their entire natural foods supply chain without intermediate culturing steps.Our blend approach offers redundancy: if one species experiences stress, the other two compensate, maintaining consistent dosing value throughout the bottle’s lifespan. Each gallon is cultured under optimized conditions (1000 lux, 72°F, 14-hour photoperiod) to maximize cell yield and nutritional density. We test weekly for bacterial contamination and maintain stable pH (6.8-7.3). Packaging includes dual airlocks and light-protective shipping—guaranteed to arrive at posted density or replacement is offered without question.High-Volume Dosing SchedulesFor 5 simultaneous culture containers: dose 50-100ml combined weekly across all cultures, adjusting by observation. For a single 80-100 gallon copepod reservoir: dose 10-15ml twice weekly. For rotifer tanks: 5-10ml per 5-gallon container daily. Blend approach accommodates flexible dosing because multiple species coverage provides nutritional safety—underdosing one culture type is compensated by diverse algae species present.Who This Is ForCommercial hatcheries, research facilities, serious multi-culture operators, and anyone maintaining 100 gallons of natural foods cultures requiring months of continuous operation.FAQsQ: How do I ensure even distribution from a gallon container?A: Stir thoroughly before each dosing. Cells settle; use a calibrated 10ml pipette for consistency. Weekly full-container stirring prevents stratification.Q: What happens if phytoplankton color fades during storage?A: Color fade indicates cell settling, not death. Stir; color should restore. If color doesn’t restore after stirring, bacterial contamination may be present—contact us for replacement.Phytoplankton Biology & Nutritional Profile: Our phytoplankton cultures contain cells ranging from 2-15 micrometers depending on species, with densities optimized for maximum nutritional delivery. Each cell is packed with amino acids, essential fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA), B vitamins, and pigments including chlorophyll and carotenoids. Cell division rates accelerate when nutrient conditions are maintained, allowing cultures to sustain feeding programs for extended periods. These microscopic plants are consumed by copepods, filter-feeding corals, clams, and invertebrates at impressive consumption rates—a single mandarin can consume 3,000-5,000 cells per day.Compatible Tank Types & Species:Reef Systems: Filter-feeding corals, clams, zoanthids, sponges, feather dustersCopepod Cultures: Primary food source; increases nauplii production ratesRefugium Programs: Sustained microbial food web; supports macroalgae nutrient cyclesNano Setups: Mandarin dragonfish, pipefish, seahorses, specialized planktivoresFreshwater Aquaculture: Daphnia, moina, larval fish rearing, zooplankton culturesStorage & Handling Recommendations: Keep cultures at 50-65°F for maximum shelf life (refrigerator recommended). For room-temperature storage, use within 10-14 days for optimal potency. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Shake bottles gently before use to ensure even distribution. If cloudiness develops, reduce dosing by half and allow water clarity to return. Cultures tolerate brief temperature fluctuations (48-78°F) but rapid changes stress organisms.Why Choose Our Cultures: I’ve been culturing these organisms for over a decade, and our commitment to quality is evident in every bottle. We test densities before shipping, ensuring you receive exactly what’s advertised. Unlike competitors, we never artificially dilute cultures—every milliliter contains the advertised organism count. Our feeding protocols use minimal additives, resulting in cleaner water and faster-reproducing populations. We personally use these same cultures in our demonstration systems, so we stand behind their performance. When you order from us, you’re supporting small-batch aquaculture rather than mass-production facilities.You May Also LikeAlso available in 16ozAdd Freshwater Copepods