Four Corners Foundation – Complete Live Copepod Bundle

Four Corners Foundation delivers complete professional-grade copepod diversity in four separate bottles: Tigriopus californicus, Tisbe biminiensis, Apocyclops panamensis, and Acartia tonsa. Strategic deployment of four distinct species creates the most biodiverse, stable copepod ecosystem possible for serious reef systems, coral propagation, and marine fish breeding.

The Four-Species Formula:

BOTTLE 1: TIGRIOPUS CALIFORNICUS

• Size: 1.0-1.5mm (large surface copepods)
• Fastest reproduction (7-10 days)
• Highest omega-3 content
• Temp: 60-82°F
• Deploy: Display surfaces, overflow, upper rocks

BOTTLE 2: TISBE BIMINIENSIS

• Size: 0.5-0.8mm (small benthic)
• Fast reproduction (8-12 days)
• Refugium powerhouse
• Temp: 72-82°F
• Deploy: Refugium macroalgae, sand bed

BOTTLE 3: APOCYCLOPS PANAMENSIS

• Size: 0.6-0.9mm (medium swimmers)
• Water column specialist
• Coral feeding expert
• Temp: 76-84°F
• Deploy: Display water column, refugium

BOTTLE 4: ACARTIA TONSA

• Size: 0.1-1.0mm (complete progression)
• Marine hatchery industry standard
• Essential for fish breeding
• Temp: 68-78°F
• Deploy: Refugium, breeding systems

Why Four Species:

✓ Complete size range - 0.1mm to 1.5mm feeds everything from coral larvae to adult fish ✓ Strategic deployment - Four separate bottles = place each exactly where it thrives ✓ Professional-grade - Acartia inclusion enables fish breeding programs ✓ Maximum biodiversity - Four species = most stable ecosystem possible ✓ Total coverage - Surface + benthic + water column + larval zones all occupied ✓ Temperature insurance - 60-82°F combined range

Key Benefits:

✓ Four bottles = professional deployment control ✓ Acartia = marine fish breeding capability (clownfish, dottybacks, anthias larvae) ✓ Separate bottles allow targeted species placement ✓ Complete size spectrum from tiny larvae to adult fish ✓ Bundle pricing vs. buying four bottles separately ✓ Professional aquaculture-grade diversity

Perfect For:

• Marine fish breeding operations (Acartia essential for larvae)
• Professional coral propagation facilities
• Competition reef aquariums
• Advanced reef systems (150+ gallons)
• Research institutions
• Public aquarium displays
• Serious reefers demanding maximum biodiversity

How Much You Need:

Each bundle = 4 bottles (64oz total):

• 100-150 gal: 1 bundle
• 150-250 gal: 2 bundles
• 250+ gal: 3+ bundles
• Commercial: Multiple bundles

Strategic Deployment:

For Coral Propagation:

• Tigriopus: 50% display, 50% refugium
• Tisbe: 90% refugium, 10% display
• Apocyclops: 60% display, 40% refugium
• Acartia: 100% refugium

For Fish Breeding:

• Tigriopus: Broodstock conditioning
• Tisbe: Refugium production
• Apocyclops: Larval first feeding
• Acartia: Primary larval food (essential)

For Competition Reefs:

• Tigriopus: 75% display (visible biodiversity)
• Tisbe: 100% refugium (production)
• Apocyclops: 50/50 split
• Acartia: 100% refugium (maturity indicator)

Quick Start:

1. Evening introduction (lights off)
2. Deploy strategically per species (see guide)
3. Stagger over 3 days (optional - reduces predation)
4. Turn off return pump 1-2 hours per bottle
5. Feed phytoplankton 4-5x weekly immediately
6. Wait 10-12 weeks for all four species to mature
7. Reseed every 4-6 months

Population Timeline:

• Week 3-4: Tigriopus visible on glass
• Week 6-8: Tisbe and Apocyclops established
• Week 10-12: Acartia fully mature (slowest but worth it)
• Month 4+: Complete four-species ecosystem

The Acartia Advantage:

Why Acartia Makes This Bundle Professional-Grade:

Acartia tonsa is the industry-standard copepod for commercial marine fish hatcheries worldwide:

✓ Larval fish primary food - Clownfish, dottybacks, anthias breeding ✓ Size progression - Nauplii (0.1mm) to adults (1.0mm) matches fish growth ✓ 50+ years proven - Commercial aquaculture standard ✓ Biodiversity indicator - Acartia presence = mature, stable reef ecosystem ✓ Competition edge - Advanced copepod diversity judges recognize

Note: Acartia slower to establish (10-12 weeks) and requires more stable conditions, but essential for breeding and professional applications.

Feeding Schedule:

Phytoplankton 4-5x weekly (four species need feeding):

• 100-150 gal: 30-40mL per dose
• 150-250 gal: 50-80mL per dose
• 250+ gal: 100-150mL per dose

Professional blend: 50% Nannochloropsis + 30% Tetraselmis + 20% T-ISO

Refugium Setup:

Minimum: 20-30 gallons (four species need space)

Complete setup:

• Sand bed 2-3 inches (Tisbe)
• Dense macroalgae (Tisbe + Tigriopus)
• Open water column (Apocyclops + Acartia)
• Moderate flow
• No filter socks
• Temperature 72-76°F (optimal for all four)
• Reverse lighting or 24hr

Expected production:

• 20-gal refugium: 60,000-90,000 copepods
• 30-gal refugium: 100,000-150,000 copepods
• 40+ gal refugium: 150,000-200,000+ copepods

Marine Fish Breeding Protocol:

Complete Hatchery Food Chain:

Clownfish Example:

• Day 8-12: Acartia nauplii (first feeding)
• Day 12-20: Apocyclops (transition)
• Day 20-30: Tisbe (juvenile growth)
• Adult broodstock: Tigriopus (conditioning)

Also works for: Dottybacks, basslets, anthias, wrasses

Four Corners = complete hatchery in one bundle

Temperature Range:

60-82°F combined = works year-round:

• 60-70°F: Tigriopus thrives
• 68-76°F: All four optimal (Acartia sweet spot)
• 72-78°F: Standard reef, all reproduce
• 78-82°F: Tisbe/Apocyclops dominate

Compatible Applications:

Excellent for:

• Marine fish breeding (Acartia essential)
• Professional coral propagation
• Competition reef systems
• All copepod-eating fish (mandarins, anthias, wrasses)
• All coral types (SPS, LPS, soft, NPS)
• Research institutions
• Public aquariums

Four Corners vs. Other Bundles:

vs. Triple Threat (3 species):

• Four Corners adds Acartia (fish breeding + pro-grade biodiversity)
• Triple Threat = workhorses only, faster/simpler
• Choose Four Corners for: Breeding, maximum biodiversity, professional
• Choose Triple Threat for: Standard biodiversity without breeding

vs. Pre-Mixed Blends:

• Separate bottles = strategic deployment control
• Pre-mixed = convenience, less control
• Four Corners = professional applications

Specifications:

Bundle includes:

• 1 bottle Tigriopus californicus (16oz)
• 1 bottle Tisbe biminiensis (16oz)
• 1 bottle Apocyclops panamensis (16oz)
• 1 bottle Acartia tonsa (16oz)
• Total: 64oz live cultures
• Each ships with live phytoplankton
• Strategic deployment guide
• Acartia culture protocols

Shelf life: 7-10 days refrigerated (Acartia 5-7 days - use first) Storage: Refrigerate at 38-45°F. Do not freeze. Guaranteed: All four species live arrival

QUICK GUIDE:

Bundle: 4 bottles, 4 species (64oz total) Coverage: 100-150 gal (1 bundle), 150-250 gal (2 bundles) Best For: Fish breeding, coral farms, competition reefs, max biodiversity Feeding: Phytoplankton 4-5x weekly Timeline: 10-12 weeks for all four mature Key Advantage: Acartia = fish breeding capability

FAQs:

Q: Why four species vs. three? A: Acartia tonsa adds fish breeding capability and professional-grade biodiversity. Essential for marine larvae.

Q: Do I need Acartia if not breeding fish? A: Not essential but adds ecosystem maturity and competition edge. Worth it for serious systems.

Q: Is Acartia harder? A: Slightly - slower to establish (10-12 weeks) and prefers stable conditions. Refugium deployment ensures success.

Q: Best for coral propagation? A: Yes. Maximum biodiversity = professional coral nutrition and ecosystem maturity.

Q: Four separate bottles vs. pre-mixed? A: Separate = strategic deployment control. Pre-mixed = simplicity. Four Corners for professional control.

The Four Corners Guarantee:

All four bottles arrive live and swimming. Each ships with phytoplankton. If any species arrives dead, photograph within 2 hours for replacement.

Four species. Four bottles. The foundation of professional reef ecosystems.