FAQ
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
Since live items are sensitive to shipping, our products are non-returnable and all sales are final. However, should the buyer agree to check and report issues (along with pictures) with any live item purchased within 1 hour of delivery (based on carrier recorded delivery time), Florida Reef Labs will review the case. Per our dead on arrival (DOA) policy, each case will be reviewed and handled with care, and either an account credit or refund will be issued in the discretion of Florida Reef Labs.
Why are ice packs sometimes warm upon arrival?
We ship most of the year with ice packs to keep contents cool for 24-36 hours. The ice pack is not intended to stay cold the entire trip. We add ice to slow down the metabolic rate of the live items (does not apply to coral) so less food and oxygen is consumed. It is expected the ice pack will be depleted or only cool upon arrival but product should be alive and well. If however package was delayed and you feel there is an issue then as always, reach out so we can review with you about possible DOA issue.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY ORDER?
Typically, orders should arrive within 2-4 days however, with some carrier delays, it may take up to 5 days with our standard shipping option. (Express shipping is optional at checkout but much faster)
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
International shipping is currently only available to Canada. We apologize for any inconvenience if your area is outside the US or Canada.
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Note: If requesting shipping to Canada please consider your order and the type of shipping you choose. Priority can take too long sometimes due to customs so it is highly recommended to choose express if ordering live items and need them quickly.
WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT OPTIONS?
We offer Paypal and Credit card checkout
What do I do when I receive my delivery?
Chaeto: Each order if precisely measured using wet measuring cups. During Shipping, Chaeto may “deflate” during shipping and appear stressed. We always recommend dipping/soaking your Chaeto in low salinity water (even fresh RODI water works Great!) for 2-3 min then dump and rinse then introduce to your sump/refugium. Your Chaeto should bounce back within 5-7 days assuming you have a nutrient rich environment for them (never 0 nitrates or 0 phosphates)
Phytoplankton: Your phytoplankton may arrive warm or room temperature and this is perfectly normal. We culture all our phytoplankton at room temp so do not be alarmed. Be sure to lightly shake your bottle daily and store in refrigerator.
Dosing: 5ml per 10g every 3-4 days
Phytoplankton does have a noticeable odor, and it is normal that the odor is sulfurous. This is due to the fact that a type of sulfide, dimethyl sulfide is produced by some phytoplankton and is associated with cryoprotection. Sulfides produced by living phytoplankton: A small number of sulfides are produced by phytoplankton that is always in the product. Sulfides are very volatile, and they come out of solution and build up in the air within the bottle even at low temperatures. If the phytoplankton is kept at a temperature in the 40’s instead of the 30’s it will have more odor. If it warms up for even a short time, say during shipping, it will have more odor. Best to keep at temps of 35-38 to preserve its nutritional value.
We have tested our product throughout its shelf life and beyond. The levels found were very low ranging from 17 to 20 ppm (ppm = parts per million). These levels are very low and were also very consistent from just packaged phytoplankton through phytoplankton that was more than 5 months old (beyond the shelf life). People are extremely sensitive to sulfides, which are detected at the very low levels of 0.5 ppb (parts per billion). Any odor from the phytoplankton is most noticeable in the air that is trapped in the bottle, and it builds up over time. That is why a half empty bottle smells more than a full bottle, and a large bottle smells more than a small bottle. While odor intensity is almost impossible to describe; it is normal for the odor of sulfides to be strong, particularly in phytoplankton that has been in storage for a while.
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Copepods: Our copepods are a 25 micron mix from juvenile to adult (shipments do vary in density). You should always be able to shine a flashlight up through the bottom of the bottle/pouch and see movement within the water. They are tiny but adults are visible with the naked eye. Once they arrive, open the container and allow air for 10 min at room temperature before checking.
Copepods feed on phytoplankton so if you plan to keep yours longer than a couple days after arrival you should dose 1ml phytoplankton every 2 days to ensure they have food to eat. They will need phytoplankton as well as most need detritus to survive long term in your reef system. You can store in fridge for a couple weeks with the lid off if you dose small amounts a few times a week. If in a gallon bag, be sure to exchange oxygen in bag before storing.
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Rotifers: Our rotifers are visible by the naked eye as tiny white specs. You should always be able to shine a flashlight up through the bottom of the bottle/pouch and see what looks like a ”snow globe” effect. Rotifers feed on phytoplankton so if you plan to keep yours longer than a couple of days after arrival you should dose 1ml every 2 days to ensure they have food to eat. Rotifers will smell upon arrival, this does not mean they are dead or unhealthy, they just produce a lot of waste!
Coralline Algae: You will receive flakes that you can crush up or use as they are. Turn off pumps/wave makers and pour contents over rocks or into sump and allow 10 minutes to settle. Remove Filter media (socks/floss) and turn pumps back on, after 20 minutes put filter media back. The Algae will begin to produce tetraspores and you should start to see growth in 2-8 weeks; all depends on water quality and lighting.
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Bottle Info:​
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Label content will vary and change, please look for the checkbox on left of the label for actual contents of bottle. Care instructions for the item will be on the right side. Please refer to listing images, for example of bottle label and use.
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How do I dose?
For dosing copepods, we recommend turning off all pumps and lights at night and allowing your tank/system to settle for 10 minutes. Then, you may choose to add the entire bottle to your tank or sump or split it between the two. Please then wait an additional 10 minutes before turning everything back on.
For dosing phytoplankton, we recommend a ratio of 5ml for every 10 gal every 3-4 days (on average.) Please ensure to test nitrates in your tank weekly until you find a stable dosing schedule that doesn’t spike your nitrates, which all depends on how heavy your tank is fed vs. bio/fish load you have as well as cleanup crew. Each tank is unique, and dosing will need to be fine-tuned and personalized to each setup.