AK Culturi-M Phytoplankton Reactor - 2L Smart RGB | Copepod-Ready
The AK Culturi-M is our 2L flagship phytoplankton reactor - engineered for reef keepers who want serious phyto output and the option to convert to a copepod reactor with our Pod Core attachment....
Complete your order
These products are necessary to your success with the AK Culturi-M, if you don't already have these items then we recommend picking some up now.
Pick a species/strain
Live Nannochloropsis Phytoplankton
Live Copepods
If you picked phyto, you'll need this
Guillard's F/2 Phytoplankton Fertiliser
Add some bubbles!
Aqua One Single Outlet Air Pump 60LPH
Optional extras
AK Pod Core - Copepod Reactor Upgrade for Culturi-M
Zooplankton Harvesting Tool
Culture Clear
The AK Culturi-M is our 2L flagship phytoplankton reactor - engineered for reef keepers who want serious phyto output and the option to convert to a copepod reactor with our Pod Core attachment. Sterile sealed culturing, smart RGB+CCT light scheduling, and Australian-made build quality.
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2L phyto volume: double the culture capacity for more consistent, larger harvests.
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Larger overall unit: built to suit the bigger vessel while keeping the setup clean and purpose-built.
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New turkey baster port: quick, no-fuss harvesting for phytoplankton, or effortless target feeding and pod handling when culturing copepods.
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Optional Pod Core upgrade: a purpose-built insert that boosts internal surface area by up to 4x, giving pods more room to graze, breed, and thrive (sold separately).
The Culturi-M is for people who already know the value of home-culturing and just want more of it: more phyto on hand, easier harvesting, and a smarter path into pod culturing without turning your bench into a DIY science fair.
Whether you’re culturing phytoplankton, macro-algae, or copepods, the Culturi-M gives you full control of lighting conditions to match the species you’re growing.
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Phytoplankton thrives best under bright white light.
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Macro-algae responds best to strong red and blue spectrums.
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Copepods reproduce best under very low white light.
Upgrade your culturing game with the AK Culturi-M: smart and seriously effective.
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1x 2L Container
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1x AK Culturi Lid (including seals, connector to tubing cap, and pressure-release valve)
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1x Glass Rigid Tubing
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1x 8mm to 4mm Airline Connector
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1x AK Culturi Light Unit with 6W Smart RGB+CCT LED (AU plug, app and voice controlled)
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1x Rigid Tubing Cleaner
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1x Microfibre Cleaning Cloth
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1.5 metres 4mm Flexible Airline Tubing
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1x Gate valve
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1x Check valve
- 1x Pipette (or syringe)
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Starter Culture (Optional)
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F/2 Fertiliser (Optional)
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Air Pump (Optional)
Convert to a copepod reactor with Pod Core
"Pod Core" is sold separately.
Increases surface area
Improves grazing and reproduction
Provides shelter
The 2L phytoplankton & copepod reactor.
A reliable phytoplankton reactor needs consistent lighting, sealed sterile conditions, and proven equipment. The AK Culturi-M is the 2L phyto reactor that doubles as a copepod reactor with our Pod Core attachment.
2L Vessel
This 2L phytoplankton reactor produces enough live phyto weekly to satisfy nearly all reef tanks, even with high-demand biodiversity.
Full Spectrum
The full spectrum RGB+CCT LED light features smart-home technology packed with Grid Connect, Google Home, and Alexa support
Scheduling
Smart scheduling and automation via app
Sealed System
Pressure-release valve and precision glass tubing maintain sterile culture conditions with zero contamination risk.
Spare Parts
All parts are replaceable, if you've cracked a vessel, broken the rigid tubing, lost the lid, we've got you.
Higher Success Rate
Unlike DIY phyto reactor setups cobbled together from random parts, the Culturi-M keeps cultures sterile, delivers optimal light output, and ensures even illumination for faster, more reliable growth.
Why buy a real phyto + copepod reactor?
Here are a few reasons the AK Culturi-M phytoplankton reactor is bang for your buck compared to typical DIY phyto setups, plus its built-in path to becoming a copepod reactor.
Everything in One Kit
Buying the AK Culturi-M phytoplankton reactor saves you time going from shop to shop, researching lighting, air pumps, fittings, and containers that actually work together. Everything you need to run a healthy phyto reactor is already included, tested, and compatible.
Hygienic Glass Construction
Glass components are easy to clean and maintain, unlike typical setups that use black tubing and porous plastic containers where bacteria easily accumulate.
Dedicated Expert Support
Get free tips and guidance directly from our team. We’re here to answer your questions with practical, experience-based advice to help you succeed.
Enough phyto for big reefs, plus copepod-ready
A 2L phytoplankton reactor produces plenty of live phyto for most reef tanks, with capacity to spare for those running heavier biodiversity. Add Pod Core and the same reactor becomes a copepod reactor — one piece of equipment, two live foods.
Proudly Australian Made
You bet. The AK Culturi-M is proudly made, assembled, packaged, and shipped right here in Australia.
What's in the box
Everything you need to get started
AK Culturi-M Light Unit
Boasting an efficient 6W 6500K RGB+CCT smart light, it keeps cultures at stable, near-perfect temperatures for faster, healthier growth.
2L Glass Culture Vessel
More than enough for most reef systems. Add a second vessel and rotate weekly, connect your doser to the previous culture for a steady, automated supply using a peristaltic pump.
Culturi Vessel Lid
Custom-designed for a thick, airtight fit, the branded AK lid looks great and comes with all necessary seals and a pressure-release valve to protect your cultures from foreign airborne contaminants.
Glass Rigid Tubing & Pipe Cleaner
Easy to clean glass rigid tubing makes sterilisation a breeze
4mm Airline Tubing (1.5m)
All necessary connections
Microfibre Cleaning Cloth & Pipette
Simple necessary accessories for every culture enthusiast, the cloth for cleaning the glass in-between cultures, and the pipette for precising dosing of our Guillard's F/2 fertiliser.
Detailed Instructions
A quick start guide to throw you straight into a successful culture, complete with QR codes to take you to useful resources.
Phytoplankton feeds everything
Phytoplankton gut loads filter feeders like copepods, rotifers, and other zooplankton giving them a higher nutritional value when consumed by your fish and/or corals. Phytoplankton is also responsible for 51%~ of the worlds oxygen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the total fill volume of the AK Culturi-M?
A. The vessel features a max fill line which is positioned exactly at the 2 liter mark, so the total volume of water possible is 2 liters (+-1-2mL)
Q. Is the lighting spectrum adjustable?
A. Yes. Use the app to adjust between 3000–6500 K white light or select RGB modes. You are also able to modify the brightness, which can help refine temperatures and lower lighting intensities can be required for more sensitive strains.
Q. Is any starter culture or fertiliser included as standard?
A. Both starter cultures and fertiliser are sold separately.
Q. Why did I receive multiple tracking numbers?
A. This is usually because your order contained a combination of items, which had to be fulfilled and shipped from multiple locations. No additional fee is added to your order, we cover the price of the additional shipping in these occurrences.
Q. Is the AK Culturi-M 3D printed?
A. Yes, the Culturi line marks our first steps into a new wave of innovation. With enough support from the community, we’ll continue refining and expanding our designs, potentially moving into injection-moulded production in future.
Q. What's the point of RGB?
A. It’s what we call “surplus functionality”. That said, if you’re interested in experimenting, the Culturi can also be used to kick-start macroalgae like Dragon’s Breath or Caulerpa, which benefit from the red spectrum. For phytoplankton, though, white light remains the gold standard for optimal photosynthesis. We've chosen this light for it's ability to handle on/off scheduling, brightness adjustments, nothing more. Besides, a little disco-mode is fun when harvesting, right?
