AK Copepod Reactor - 2L Live Pod Cultivator (Culturi-M + Pod Core)
Australia's purpose-built copepod reactor, the AK Copepod Reactor combines our 2L Culturi-M phytoplankton reactor with the Pod Core surface-area attachment to create a self-sustaining live copep...
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
Australia's purpose-built copepod reactor, the AK Copepod Reactor combines our 2L Culturi-M phytoplankton reactor with the Pod Core surface-area attachment to create a self-sustaining live copepod cultivation system.
Most reef keepers don't realise that successful copepod cultures need three things: stable lighting, sterile sealed conditions, and massive grazing surface area. Off-the-shelf jars and DIY setups deliver none of these consistently. The AK Copepod Reactor delivers all three out of the box.
- 2L sealed glass vessel with pressure-release valve eliminates contamination
- Pod Core attachment adds ~119,634mm² of grazing and reproduction surface area
- Smart RGB+CCT 6W LED light keeps phyto thriving for the pods to feed on
- Plug-and-play setup, no DIY plumbing or part-sourcing
- Australian-made, fully spare-part supported, backed by AQK expert support
- AK Culturi-M 2L glass culture vessel
- Pod Core surface-area attachment
- 6W RGB+CCT smart LED light unit (Grid Connect / Google Home / Alexa compatible)
- Glass rigid tubing, 1.5m airline tubing, all fittings
- Microfibre cleaning cloth and pipette
- Detailed copepod reactor setup instructions
Pair with our live copepods starter culture and you'll have a self-sustaining live food source for your reef tank within weeks. Free shipping Australia-wide.
Save $10 vs buying Culturi-M and Pod Core separately.
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?
