Live Marine Phytoplankton
Important Information
| What are Phytoplankton? | Why Purchase from Empco? | Interesting Facts | FAQ | Testimonials | Pronunciation |
What are Phytoplankton?
Phytoplankton are the photoautotrophic, aquatic portion of microalgae. Phytoplankton are the primary producers of the oceans, providing sustenance, directly or indirectly, for all marine life.
Phytoplankton are not plants, despite their photosynthetic capabilities. They are instead classified as protists, phylogenetically more ancient organisms. But taxonomical controversy exists among experts. Just a few decades ago, many academic texts classified phytoplankton in the kingdom Plantae. But with a recent and widespread acceptance of more diverse kingdoms that occurred in the 20th century, the majority of aquatic experts now classify phytoplankton in the kingdom Protista (aka Protoctista).
Some taxonomists, however, still maintain that phytoplankton are members of Plantae. Others consider only the Chlorophyte division of phytoplankton to belong to Plantae due to similarities in chlorophyll types and starch storage.
Considering that phytoplankton produce nearly all the energy necessary for the oceans' food webs, the abundance of amazing nutrients found in these unicellular organisms comes as no surprise. With recent advances in algaculture technology that allow the culture of large volumes of phytoplankton, these living nutrient stores can be harvested and concentrated for marine aquaria, pharmaceuticals, and foods. The availability of live phytoplankton and their phytonutrients in a marine aquarium helps to sustain a natural and balanced food web from the microscopic level up.
Why Purchase Phytoplankton from Empco?
- It's a Live Culture!
Many other phytoplankton products are dead and preserved with chemicals, or remain on shelves for extended periods of time, resulting in degradation of the nutritional value. - It's Guaranteed!
We guarantee that your phytoplankton will arrive alive or you're entitled to a refund or replacement - whichever you prefer! - It's Shipped Overnight
Cultures are in the mail for less than 24 hours and are packed in insulation with cold gel. - It's in a Clear Bottle
You will be able to easily monitor the health of your phytoplankton inside the bottle. Other products are in opaque containers, forcing you to guess when the product has settled and needs to be shaken. See Product Instructions for more details. - It Doesn't Smell Foul!
Empco's phytoplankton does not carry any foul odor upon arrival, because foul odors mean that some or all of the culture has died. Don't be fooled by other sellers who claim this is normal! - It's Concentrated!
If you order any of the Marine Aquaria/Aquaculture species, the majority of culture medium is extracted from your order the day it's shipped, leaving an extremely dense sample of live phytoplankton.
Interesting facts
Nasa scientists believe that 3.5 billion years ago the first organisms appeared that could convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into nutrients. Phytoplankton, as we have named them, have since then provided the basis for all other life on planet Earth. As a photoautotrophic organism at the bottom of the ocean's food web, phytoplankton have responsibility for the lives of nearly every organism alive in the ocean, and many therefore on land. Even humans can thank this wonderful algae for producing up to 90 percent of Earth's oxygen.
"Phylogenetically, microalgae can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic and, in evolutionary terms, recent or very ancient. This very diversity makes microalgae, as a group, a potentially rich source of a vast array of chemical products with applications in the feed, food, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and even fuel industries. The history of microalgal utilization from natural populations is centuries old (Nostoc in Asia and Spirulina in Africa and Mexico)" (Dr. Takashi Nakamura, April 2003).
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Visit Empco's Biolum Page to learn about algal bioluminescence.
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FAQ
- Are local pickups permitted?
- How much phytoplankton should I add to my aquarium, and with what frequency?
- Can any of the algae be consumed by humans?
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Are local pickups permitted?
Yes! Empco encourages local pickups. Our business office is in Waterford, Michigan. Please select the store-pickup shipping option during checkout if you plan to arrange a local pickup. -
How much phytoplankton should I add to my aquarium, and with what frequency?
The amount to feed depends on 1. the size of the aquarium, and 2. the density of biomass that will feed on phytoplankton (i.e. quantity of filter feeders present). An exact amount cannot be determined without trial and error. We recommend that in addition to localized feeding of specific organisms, you add an affordable amount every other day to stimulate the growth of other important microorganisms in your aquarium. Feeding live organisms leads to less of a toxin accumulation (NH3, NH4+, NO2-, NO3-) than preserved or artificial food.
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Can any of the algae be consumed by humans?
No algae sold by Empco Inc. is FDA approved and we therefore do not recommend using it for human consumption, regardless of any health benefits that it may have. Empco Inc. is not liable for any losses and/or damages encountered from the consumption or use of any algae sold or distributed by Empco Inc., or obtained, directly or indirectly, from Empco Inc..
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Testimonials
I just wanted to let you know that I'm very pleased with this product. This is some of the best phytoplankton I've ever seen. There is absolutely no foul smell whatsoever and it is very concentrated and potent. My corals appear to be opening completely when I feed them. I will definitely be buying this again!
Thank you,
Joseph Debrincat
Michigan
Have you been impressed by Empco's phytoplankton? Feel free to send us a testimonial!
Pronunciation
Follow these tips to sound like a savvy aquarist!
- Phytoplankton
Just like it sounds.
Common errors: photoplankton.