Reef Ignition Pack – Nannochloropsis Phytoplankton & Copepod Bundle

The Reef Ignition Pack is PodDrop's high-impact phytoplankton-and-copepod fusion designed to kickstart reef nutrition, boost coral health, and ignite microfauna growth in any marine system. This powerful bundle features Nannochloropsis (dense green phytoplankton for nutrient export and copepod enrichment) paired with three premium live copepod species: Tisbe biminiensis, Tigriopus californicus, and Apocyclops panamensis—everything needed to establish a thriving, self-sustaining reef ecosystem fast.

The Complete Reef Ignition System:

COMPONENT 1: NANNOCHLOROPSIS PHYTOPLANKTON The copepod fuel and reef foundation:

• Cell size: 2-4 microns (perfect for copepods and corals)
• Highest EPA omega-3 content of any phytoplankton
• Feeds copepods, rotifers, corals, filter feeders
• Nutrient export through natural water filtration
• Essential for copepod reproduction

Role: Fuel explosive copepod reproduction, feed corals, export nutrients

COMPONENT 2: TISBE BIMINIENSIS LIVE COPEPODS Small benthic copepod, refugium specialist:

• Size: 0.5-0.8mm (small, prolific)
• Fast reproduction (doubles every 8-12 days)
• Lives in sand bed, refugium, rockwork
• Detritus feeder, nutrient processor
• Thrives in all refugium sizes

Role: Establish refugium production engine, small fish feeding

COMPONENT 3: TIGRIOPUS CALIFORNICUS LIVE COPEPODS Large surface copepod, mandarin food:

• Size: 1.0-1.5mm (large, meaty)
• Fastest reproduction (doubles every 7-10 days)
• Lives on surfaces, glass, overflow
• Highest omega-3 content
• Cold-tolerant (60-82°F)

Role: Rapid population establishment, large fish feeding, maximum biomass

COMPONENT 4: APOCYCLOPS PANAMENSIS LIVE COPEPODS Water column specialist, coral feeder:

• Size: 0.6-0.9mm (medium swimmers)
• Moderate-fast reproduction (doubles every 10-14 days)
• Free-swimming planktonic lifestyle
• Coral feeding expert
• Warm-water specialist (76-84°F)

Role: Water column feeding, coral nutrition, planktivorous fish

How The Ignition Pack Works:

IGNITION 1: Copepod Fuel (Nannochloropsis) Nannochloropsis is the single best phytoplankton for copepod reproduction. High EPA content supercharges copepod egg production and nauplii development. Fed daily, Nannochloropsis creates explosive copepod population growth.

IGNITION 2: Three-Species Diversity Three copepod species occupy all tank zones (surface, benthic, water column) and provide complete size range (0.5-1.5mm). Biodiversity creates stable, self-sustaining populations resistant to crashes.

IGNITION 3: Rapid Establishment All three copepod species are fast breeders. Combined with daily Nannochloropsis feeding, populations establish in 4-6 weeks vs. 8-12 weeks without phytoplankton supplementation.

IGNITION 4: Coral Nutrition Nannochloropsis feeds coral polyps directly while also feeding copepods that become secondary coral nutrition. Dual feeding pathway maximizes coral health.

IGNITION 5: Nutrient Export Copepods consume phytoplankton and detritus, processing nutrients into biomass. Fish eat copepods, removing nutrients from system. Natural nutrient export cycle.

IGNITION 6: Self-Sustaining Ecosystem Once established, copepod populations reproduce continuously when fed Nannochloropsis weekly. Self-sustaining system requires minimal maintenance.

Result: Complete reef ecosystem kickstart in one bundle. Fast copepod establishment, thriving corals, natural nutrient cycling.

Key Benefits:

✓ Everything needed - Copepod food + three copepod species in one bundle ✓ Fast results - Visible copepod populations within 3-4 weeks ✓ Complete coverage - Three species occupy all tank zones ✓ Coral nutrition - Phyto feeds corals, copepods provide secondary feeding ✓ Nutrient export - Natural biological filtration ✓ Self-sustaining - Populations maintain with weekly phytoplankton feeding ✓ Bundle savings - More economical than buying separately ✓ Perfect starter - Ideal for new reef tanks or population recovery

Perfect For:

• New reef tank setup (instant ecosystem maturity)
• Recovering from population crashes or tank issues
• Preparing tank for mandarin dragonet addition
• Boosting coral health and feeding response
• Establishing refugium-based copepod production
• Nutrient export through biological means
• First-time copepod cultivation
• Systems needing rapid biodiversity establishment

What's Included:

Standard Reef Ignition Pack:

• Nannochloropsis phytoplankton culture
• Tisbe biminiensis live copepods
• Tigriopus californicus live copepods
• Apocyclops panamensis live copepods
• Quick-start setup guide
• Feeding schedule recommendations

Treats: 50-100 gallon reef aquarium

Large System Pack (Optional):

• Double quantities of all components
• Treats: 100-200 gallon systems

The Quick-Start Protocol:

DAY 1: COPEPOD SEEDING

Evening Introduction:

1. Add Tisbe to refugium/sand bed (90% refugium, 10% display)
2. Add Tigriopus to display tank surfaces (75% display, 25% refugium)
3. Add Apocyclops to water column (50% display, 50% refugium)
4. Turn off return pump 1-2 hours
5. Lights off during introduction

DAY 2-7: DAILY NANNOCHLOROPSIS FEEDING

Establish feeding routine:

• 50-75 gallons: 15-20mL daily
• 75-100 gallons: 25-30mL daily
• Dose during evening hours
• Turn off protein skimmer 1-2 hours
• Feed daily for first week (critical for copepod establishment)

WEEK 2-4: CONTINUE DAILY FEEDING

Copepod population explosion:

• Continue daily Nannochloropsis (same dosage)
• Copepods reproducing rapidly
• Visible populations by week 3-4
• Corals showing improved polyp extension

WEEK 5+: MAINTENANCE FEEDING

Switch to maintenance schedule:

• 15-20mL Nannochloropsis 3-4x weekly (no longer daily)
• Populations now self-sustaining
• Reseed copepods every 4-6 months
• Continue phytoplankton indefinitely

Expected Timeline:

• Week 1: Copepods settling, beginning reproduction
• Week 2: Early population growth, some copepods visible
• Week 3: Noticeable populations, copepods on glass at night
• Week 4: Mature populations, abundant copepods throughout tank
• Week 6-8: Peak density, self-sustaining ecosystem
• Ongoing: Minimal maintenance with weekly phytoplankton

Critical Success Factors:

DO: ✓ Feed Nannochloropsis daily for first 4 weeks (critical!) ✓ Turn off protein skimmer 1-2 hours after feeding ✓ Introduce copepods in evening with lights off ✓ Maintain refugium if available (10+ gallons ideal) ✓ Be patient - populations need 3-4 weeks to mature ✓ Continue weekly phytoplankton feeding after establishment

DON'T: ✗ Skip phytoplankton feeding (copepods won't reproduce without food) ✗ Run UV sterilizer during establishment phase ✗ Add copepod-eating fish until populations mature (4+ weeks) ✗ Expect instant results - biological systems need time ✗ Stop feeding after copepods establish (populations will decline)

Nannochloropsis - The Copepod Superfood:

Why Nannochloropsis for Reef Ignition:

✓ Highest EPA content - Essential omega-3 fatty acid for copepod reproduction ✓ Small cell size (2-4μm) - Perfect for all three copepod species ✓ Proven copepod food - Industry standard for copepod culture ✓ Coral nutrition - Also feeds SPS, LPS, and filter feeders ✓ Nutrient export - Active cells consume nitrates and phosphates ✓ Easy to use - Shake bottle, dose tank, done

Daily feeding during establishment = explosive copepod populations

Three-Species Advantage:

Complete Tank Coverage:

Surface Zone (Tigriopus californicus):

• Crawls on glass, rocks, overflow
• Large (1.5mm), highly visible
• Fish actively hunt this zone
• Fastest reproduction

Benthic Zone (Tisbe biminiensis):

• Lives in sand bed, refugium, crevices
• Small (0.8mm), prolific breeders
• Refugium production engine
• Detritus processor

Water Column (Apocyclops panamensis):

• Free-swimming mid-water
• Medium size (0.9mm)
• Coral feeding specialist
• Natural prey behavior

Result: Copepods everywhere fish and corals need them

Size Diversity Benefits:

0.5-0.8mm (Tisbe): Small fish, coral polyps, continuous feeding 0.6-0.9mm (Apocyclops): Medium fish, SPS corals, water column feeders 1.0-1.5mm (Tigriopus): Large fish, mandarins, substantial nutrition

Complete size spectrum = all reef organisms fed

New Tank Reef Ignition:

Perfect for New Reef Setup:

The Reef Ignition Pack accelerates new tank maturation:

✓ Instant biodiversity - Three copepod species + phytoplankton ✓ Nutrient cycling - Establishes natural biological filtration ✓ Coral readiness - Natural food sources for new corals ✓ Microfauna foundation - Copepods seed beneficial bacteria growth ✓ Fish preparation - Mature populations before adding copepod eaters

Use Timeline for New Tanks:

• Week 1-2 after cycle: Add Reef Ignition Pack
• Week 5-6: Add first corals (populations feeding them)
• Week 8-10: Add mandarin dragonet (if desired, populations mature)

Mandarin Dragonet Preparation:

Preparing for Mandarins:

Reef Ignition Pack = ideal mandarin preparation system:

4-Week Preparation Protocol:

1. Add Reef Ignition Pack to tank
2. Feed Nannochloropsis daily for 4 weeks
3. Verify copepod populations visible on glass
4. Check refugium for dense Tisbe populations
5. Add mandarin after 4+ weeks establishment

Requirements for Mandarin Success:

• 50-75 gallon minimum tank size
• 10-15 gallon refugium strongly recommended
• Reef Ignition Pack seeding
• 4+ weeks population maturity
• Ongoing Nannochloropsis feeding 3-4x weekly

Success rate: 80-85% with proper protocol

Coral Health Benefits:

Dual Coral Feeding Pathway:

Direct Feeding (Nannochloropsis → Corals):

• Small cells (2-4μm) captured by coral polyps
• EPA omega-3 enhances coral coloration
• Triggers natural feeding response
• Supplements photosynthesis

Indirect Feeding (Nannochloropsis → Copepods → Corals):

• Copepods consume phytoplankton
• Fish/corals consume nutritionally-enriched copepods
• Higher quality nutrition than frozen foods
• Natural feeding behaviors

Result: Superior coral health, polyp extension, growth rates

Nutrient Export System:

Natural Biological Filtration:

The Ignition Pack creates self-regulating nutrient export:

1. Nannochloropsis consumes nitrates and phosphates from water
2. Copepods consume phytoplankton (nutrients now in copepod biomass)
3. Fish consume copepods (nutrients removed via feeding, exported via protein skimmer)
4. Detritus processing - Tisbe consumes organic waste, converts to copepod biomass

Result: Natural nutrient reduction without chemicals or reactors

Refugium Optimization:

Recommended Refugium Setup:

Minimum: 10 gallons (15-20 gallons ideal)

Optimal Configuration:

• Chaetomorpha or Caulerpa macroalgae (Tisbe habitat)
• 2-3 inches sand bed (Tisbe breeding substrate)
• Moderate flow (not powerhead blast)
• Refugium light on reverse schedule or 24hr
• No filter socks on refugium return

Feed refugium directly: Pour 50% of daily Nannochloropsis directly into refugium for concentrated copepod feeding

Expected refugium production:

• 10-gal refugium: 15,000-25,000 copepods
• 15-gal refugium: 25,000-40,000 copepods
• 20-gal refugium: 40,000-60,000 copepods

Compatible Applications:

Excellent For:

• All copepod-eating fish (mandarins, wrasses, anthias, gobies)
• All coral types (SPS, LPS, soft, NPS)
• Filter-feeding invertebrates (clams, feather dusters, tunicates)
• New reef tank establishment
• Ecosystem recovery after crashes
• Natural nutrient export
• Refugium-based production

Temperature Range:

60-84°F combined tolerance:

• Cold tanks (60-72°F): Tigriopus thrives
• Standard reef (72-78°F): All three species explode
• Warm tanks (78-84°F): Tisbe and Apocyclops dominate

Works in any reef temperature range

How to Know It's Working:

✓ Week 1-2: Water slightly green after feeding (phytoplankton present) ✓ Week 2-3: First copepods visible on glass at night (flashlight check) ✓ Week 3-4: Orange Tigriopus crawling on glass, swimming Apocyclops visible ✓ Week 4-6: Dense copepod populations, corals extending polyps ✓ Week 6+: Self-sustaining ecosystem, fish hunting copepods actively

Specifications:

Standard Pack: Treats 50-100 gallon systems

• Nannochloropsis phytoplankton culture
• Tisbe biminiensis live copepods
• Tigriopus californicus live copepods
• Apocyclops panamensis live copepods
• Quick-start guide

Large Pack: Treats 100-200 gallon systems

• Double quantities of all components
• Quick-start guide

Storage: Refrigerate all components at 38-45°F immediately

Shelf Life:

• Nannochloropsis: 2-3 weeks refrigerated
• Copepods: 7-10 days refrigerated

Guaranteed: All components arrive live and viable or immediate replacement

QUICK GUIDE:

What You Get: Nannochloropsis + 3 copepod species (Tisbe, Tigriopus, Apocyclops) Setup Time: 10 minutes (add copepods, start feeding) Daily Feeding: First 4 weeks (15-30mL Nannochloropsis) Mature Populations: 4-6 weeks Maintenance: Feed phytoplankton 3-4x weekly ongoing Perfect For: New tanks, mandarin prep, coral health, ecosystem kickstart

FAQs:

Q: How is this different from buying copepods alone? A: Includes Nannochloropsis (copepod food). Without phytoplankton, copepods won't reproduce. Complete system in one bundle.

Q: Do I really need to feed daily for 4 weeks? A: Yes, critical for population establishment. Copepods need daily nutrition to reproduce explosively. After 4 weeks, switch to 3-4x weekly.

Q: Can I add a mandarin right away? A: No. Wait 4-6 weeks for populations to mature. Adding mandarin too early depletes copepods before they reproduce.

Q: Will this work without a refugium? A: Yes, but refugium strongly recommended. Copepods establish in display tank, refugium provides safe breeding ground for continuous production.

Q: How long does Nannochloropsis last? A: 2-3 weeks refrigerated. Order additional bottles for ongoing feeding after bundle runs out.

Q: Is this good for new reef tanks? A: Perfect! Add Reef Ignition Pack 1-2 weeks after cycle completes. Establishes ecosystem before adding corals and fish.

Q: What if I have high nutrients already? A: Reef Ignition Pack helps! Nannochloropsis exports nutrients, copepods process detritus. Natural nutrient reduction.

The Reef Ignition Guarantee:

All components arrive live and viable. If any arrive dead, photograph within 2 hours for immediate replacement.

Feed Nannochloropsis daily for 4 weeks as directed. If copepod populations don't establish, contact us for troubleshooting support.

Ignite your reef. Explode copepod populations. Boost coral health. Everything needed in one bundle.