Four Corners Foundation – Complete Live Copepod Bundle
Four Corners Foundation – Complete Live Copepod Bundle
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Product Overview
Four Corners Foundation is PodDrop's ultimate professional-grade copepod system delivering maximum biodiversity through four distinct species in separate bottles: Tigriopus californicus, Tisbe biminiensis, Apocyclops panamensis, and Acartia tonsa. This comprehensive foundation provides complete ecological coverage across all life stages, size ranges (0.1-1.5mm), temperature zones (60-84°F), and behavioral niches—creating the most stable, resilient copepod ecosystem possible for serious reef systems, coral propagation facilities, and marine fish breeding operations.
Perfect for professional aquarists, breeders, and advanced hobbyists demanding hatchery-grade biodiversity, Four Corners delivers strategic deployment control that pre-mixed blends cannot match. Target Tigriopus (large surface specialist, fastest reproduction, maximum omega-3s) to display tank surfaces and overflow areas. Deploy Tisbe (small benthic powerhouse) to refugium macroalgae and sandbeds for protected breeding populations. Introduce Apocyclops (medium water column cruiser) throughout display and refugium for direct coral feeding. Add Acartia tonsa (the marine hatchery industry standard with complete 0.1-1.0mm size progression) to refugiums and breeding systems for larval fish rearing. The four-species combination provides unmatched genetic diversity, temperature resilience spanning cold to tropical ranges, and complete life stage coverage from microscopic nauplii to large adults. This biodiversity creates ecosystem stability that withstands predation pressure, environmental fluctuations, and long-term sustainability challenges. Each bottle arrives as an actively feeding culture with live phytoplankton, already reproducing and ready to establish in your professionally planned deployment zones. This is the complete copepod foundation for systems that demand excellence.
Explore detailed care instructions, specifications, and policies below
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your refugium after lights out for best establishment. Target areas with macroalgae, live rock rubble, or substrate where they can colonize.
Timing: Add to established tanks (3+ months old) with mature biofilm and stable parameters. Can be added to newer tanks if phytoplankton is supplemented.
Population Boost: Start with 1-2 bottles per 50 gallons for initial seeding. Their rapid reproduction means populations establish faster than other species.
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your refugium after lights out for best establishment. Target areas with macroalgae, live rock rubble, or substrate where they can colonize.
Timing: Add to established tanks (3+ months old) with mature biofilm and stable parameters. Can be added to newer tanks if phytoplankton is supplemented.
Population Boost: Start with 1-2 bottles per 50 gallons for initial seeding. Their rapid reproduction means populations establish faster than other species.
Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. Small size means movement may be less obvious than larger species.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (68-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration recommended for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum viable population. Can be held up to 3 days with cool temperatures and gentle aeration.
Feeding: Our copepods ship with live phytoplankton food supply—no feeding needed before adding to your tank.
Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. Small size means movement may be less obvious than larger species.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (68-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration recommended for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum viable population. Can be held up to 3 days with cool temperatures and gentle aeration.
Feeding: Our copepods ship with live phytoplankton food supply—no feeding needed before adding to your tank.
All PodDrop copepods are guaranteed to arrive alive and actively moving. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to maintain health during transit. If copepods arrive deceased or your order has issues, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for replacement or refund. We ship using proven methods to ensure viable populations reach your reef aquarium.
All PodDrop copepods are guaranteed to arrive alive and actively moving. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to maintain health during transit. If copepods arrive deceased or your order has issues, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for replacement or refund. We ship using proven methods to ensure viable populations reach your reef aquarium.
Shipping: Monday-Wednesday via UPS 2nd Day Air for fast, reliable delivery. Arizona aquaculture license #91 ensures legal, biosecure cultures. Includes insulation and temperature protection.
Weather Delays: We monitor conditions and may hold orders for extreme temperatures to ensure live arrival.
Returns: Live copepods cannot be returned once shipped due to their perishable nature. Contact us before shipping for order modifications.
Tracking: Confirmation email sent when your order ships with UPS tracking number.
Shipping: Monday-Wednesday via UPS 2nd Day Air for fast, reliable delivery. Arizona aquaculture license #91 ensures legal, biosecure cultures. Includes insulation and temperature protection.
Weather Delays: We monitor conditions and may hold orders for extreme temperatures to ensure live arrival.
Returns: Live copepods cannot be returned once shipped due to their perishable nature. Contact us before shipping for order modifications.
Tracking: Confirmation email sent when your order ships with UPS tracking number.
PodDrop operates as a licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ License #91) following strict biosecurity and handling protocols. Our Tisbe biminiensis cultures are:
• Raised in isolated, quarantine-controlled systems
• Free from parasites, diseases, and pest organisms
• Packaged in food-grade, sealed containers for biosecurity
• Shipped in compliance with USDA and state aquaculture regulations
• 100% aquacultured for sustainability and biosecurity
Proper Handling: Wash hands before and after handling. Never release copepods into natural waterways. Dispose of packaging responsibly.
PodDrop operates as a licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ License #91) following strict biosecurity and handling protocols. Our Tisbe biminiensis cultures are:
• Raised in isolated, quarantine-controlled systems
• Free from parasites, diseases, and pest organisms
• Packaged in food-grade, sealed containers for biosecurity
• Shipped in compliance with USDA and state aquaculture regulations
• 100% aquacultured for sustainability and biosecurity
Proper Handling: Wash hands before and after handling. Never release copepods into natural waterways. Dispose of packaging responsibly.
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