Rotifers are the unsung heroes of reef breeding — but should you culture or just buy? One path costs pennies and hours. The other delivers instant density with zero hassle. This guide stacks both methods head-to-head — equipment, time, yield, and failure rates — so you pick the right one for your tank, budget, and sanity.
Rotifers 101: Why They Matter
Rotifers are the perfect “starter food”:
- Size: 100–250 µm — ideal for fish fry and filter feeders
- Nutrition: Gut-load with PhycoPure™ Reef Blend for max HUFAs
- Density: 200–300 per mL in 48 hours (cultured)
Used by 94% of successful clownfish breeders (MARSH survey, 2024).
Key Uses:
- Fish larvae (days 3–14 post-hatch)
- Mandarin training bridge
- Coral polyp feeding
Left: Dense rotifer culture. Right: PhycoPure™ — their fuel.
Culture vs. Buy: Side-by-Side Breakdown
| Factor | Culture DIY | Buy Live INSTANT |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Cost | $45 (air pump, 5-gal bucket, RGcomplete) | $29 (8oz bottle + shipping) |
| Time to First Feed | 5–7 days | Next day |
| Weekly Effort | 30 mins (feed, clean, harvest) | 5 mins (pour and dose) |
| Yield (per week) | 1–2 liters (200k rotifers) | 240 mL (60k rotifers) |
| Failure Risk | Crash from pH, temp, or contamination | Shipping DOA (rare, <1%) |
When to Culture (And When to Buy)
- Culture if: Breeding 10+ clowns, daily fry needs, love DIY
- Buy if: Occasional use, mandarin training, hate maintenance
Hybrid win: Culture a 5-gal, buy 8oz bottles for backup or travel.
"Bought rotifers to start — now I culture. But those first bottles saved my spawn."
— Chris P., breeder
Step-by-Step: Foolproof Rotifer Culture
Zero crashes — follow this:
- Day 0: Fill 5-gal bucket with 3 gal saltwater (1.019 SG, 78°F)
- Add: 50 mL live rotifers + 5 mL PhycoPure™
- Daily: Aerate gently, add 3–5 mL phyto, keep dark
- Day 5: Harvest 1 liter via 50-micron sieve
- Clean: 20% water change weekly
Pro tip: Use two buckets — stagger by 3 days for nonstop supply.
Buying Live: What to Look For
- Density: >200 rotifers per mL
- Packaging: Breathable bag, oxygen-filled
- Shipping: 1–2 day, insulated
- Bonus: Buy 2 Get 1 Free deals
Our 8oz bottles arrive ready-to-pour — no acclimation needed.
Troubleshooting: Rotifers Dying?
- Cloudy culture? Overfeeding. Cut phyto 50%, add air.
- No density after 5 days? Temp <75°F or old phyto. Restart.
- Fry not eating? Enrich 2 hours with Reef Blend.
FAQ: Rotifers for Aquariums
How long do rotifers live?
24–48 hours in tank. Culture lasts indefinitely with feeding.
Can rotifers survive in reef tank?
Briefly. Best as targeted feed or refugium culture.
How much to feed fry?
10–20 rotifers per mL in larval tank, 2x daily.
Related: Mandarin Training | Reef Nutrition | Live Rotifers
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