Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering and shipping

When do live cultures and frozen foods ship?

We normally ship live cultures and frozen foods Monday through Wednesday. This helps prevent time-sensitive orders from sitting in a carrier warehouse over the weekend.

Which shipping method should I choose?

Choose 2-Day shipping for live cultures and frozen foods. Faster paid shipping may be available at checkout, but free shipping does not include free Next Day service.

What if my order arrives damaged or compromised?

Contact support@texascoralranch.com within 24 hours of delivery. Include your order number and clear photos of the product, shipping box, packaging, and shipping label. Keep the product and packaging until we have reviewed the claim.

Choosing copepods

Which copepod should I buy?

Tisbe spend most of their time around rockwork, sand, and other surfaces. They are a strong choice for building a population in an established reef and supporting fish that hunt around the rocks.

Tigriopus are larger and easier for fish to see. They make a good supplemental food and also spend time on surfaces in the aquarium.

Apocyclops spend more time swimming in the water and reproduce quickly under good conditions. They are useful for adding movement and available prey throughout the tank.

The Three Pod Power Pack combines all three species and is the easiest option when you want greater diversity or are not sure which one fits your tank best.

Do I need phytoplankton if I add copepods?

Phytoplankton gives copepods an ongoing food source and can help a population establish and reproduce. Pods will also use detritus and other available food, but a varied diet usually gives better results.

Choosing phytoplankton

Which phytoplankton should I choose?

Nannochloropsis is a dependable general-purpose green phytoplankton. Tetraselmis is a motile green strain with a broad nutritional profile. Tisochrysis is commonly chosen for its DHA content. Rhodomonas strains add a different nutritional profile and natural red pigmentation. Diatoms such as Thalassiosira and Chaetoceros are especially useful for feeding copepods and other filter feeders.

If you are unsure, tell us what animals you are feeding and whether the bottle is for tank dosing or starting a culture. We can help narrow it down.

Does phytoplankton need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Refrigerate live phytoplankton after delivery and gently mix the bottle regularly. Do not freeze it.

Should copepods be refrigerated?

No. Add them to the aquarium soon after delivery. If you need to hold them briefly, keep them in a cool, stable place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Starting a culture

Can I use your bottles to start my own culture?

Yes. A good starting amount is 8 ounces of live culture per gallon of prepared culture water. Keep part of the original bottle refrigerated as a backup when possible.

Do diatoms need anything different?

Yes. Diatom cultures need a silicate source in addition to normal phytoplankton fertilizer. Clean equipment and sterilized culture water are especially important when maintaining any strain long term.

Texas Gulf Feast Frozen Food

What is Texas Gulf Feast?

Texas Gulf Feast is an all-in-one frozen food for fish and corals. Both versions contain phytoplankton along with marine ingredients in a range of particle sizes. The larger pieces feed most small and medium aquarium fish, while the finer ingredients remain available to corals and other small feeders.

What is the difference between Gulf Feast and Gulf Feast Elite?

Regular Gulf Feast is a nutrient-dense everyday blend for mixed reefs and a wide range of fish. Gulf Feast Elite includes a blend of all our phytoplankton strains along with additional vitamin and amino acid support. It is especially useful for picky fish, angelfish, and other species that benefit from a more varied diet or extra supplementation.

Both versions work for most common aquarium fish other than very large fish that need bigger pieces of food.

Can Gulf Feast affect nitrate or phosphate?

Gulf Feast also feeds corals, so it contains fine, nutrient-rich ingredients similar in size to powdered coral foods. Start with a small amount and feed only what the tank can use. If you feed heavily, keep an eye on nitrate and phosphate and adjust the amount as needed.