About our Aquarium Starter Kits by greg.chernoffAquarium Starter Kits make it easy for you to get everything you need to begin building a happy, thriving saltwater fish tank. Instead of trying to put your refugium together piece by piece, these kits are already pre-built to include the live algae and copepods, biological filtration, and bacteria starter you will need to get it up and going. To start, the concentrated bacterial starter will initiate your cycle by providing multiple strains and species of bacteria, each responsible for a portion of the nitrogen cycle. These bacteria will settle and begin living in your biological media. The ceramic media blocks, Marine Pure, provide a huge amount of surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize, which detoxifies ammonia and nitrite. In addition, they will serve as a copepod haven, where pods can live and reproduce without predation. That means you can maintain a stable population to feed finicky fish and keep the tank as consistent as possible. The copepods themselves are a mix of Tigriopus, Apocyclops, and Tisbe species so you can guarantee that you benefit from the strengths of each individual type. After all, a greater biodiversity means a healthier, more self-sufficient tank! Copepods consume detritus and phytoplankton, so each kit contains a bottle of blended phyto. Not only will your pods enjoy this live food, but all filter feeding invertebrates and corals will as well. Finally, to finish off your ultimate refugium, is your choice of macro algae. Choose from a selection of different species to suit your tastes! Macro algae actively removes nutrients and toxins from your system, and allows you to offer the cleanest, healthiest water possible to your livestock. Our other offering, the Clam Keeper kits, are great for aquarists who want to own a clam and don’t know where to start. Each kit contains your choice of blue or gold Maxima, assorted Derasa, or assorted Squamosa clam. Each will arrive at 5 to 6 centimeters, and is captive bred. Our signature copepod blend is included as well to ensure that your clam will stay clean. Clams will also consume any small pods that they filter out of the water column! Phytoplankton will complement copepods, and will ensure your clam is well fed with the best nutrition possible. The final item included will be a clam rock, something often overlooked but incredibly beneficial to your new addition. Clams enjoy strong current and need flow for survival. But, they are fragile and need to be allowed to attach themselves to the tank bottom or a live rock. It can be hard to find an area in a tank where flow is high enough, but that the clam won’t constantly fall over or off the rocks. Clam Rocks are specifically created from dry reef rock and offer a natural appearance, and a divot in the center to set the clam in. Here, they fit snug and can still fully extend their mantles, and can be placed in higher flow. The protection from the divot will encourage your clam to attach and acclimate quickly. No matter what species you want to keep, this starter kit is incredibly helpful to starting off on the right foot! [kitscombos]
Sean Beaver says December 23, 2019 at 3:18 pm Awesome read and kits. Will definitely be looking into the clam kit when I decide to add clams. Reply
David says December 30, 2019 at 11:12 am We have one clam and it’s doing good. One day when we get a bigger tank I’m planning on getting several Reply
Kyle says January 4, 2020 at 3:10 pm The kits are a great way for people to get started for a new addition to their aquarium! Reply
Austin beach says January 5, 2020 at 11:53 am I will be starting to look into clams now thanks for the ideas!! Reply
Jerry Pearson says December 23, 2019 at 3:25 pm I SO want to order the large pack, but have to wait until the new year. lol Reply
Alex von Hochtritt says December 23, 2019 at 3:42 pm A starter kit like this would be awesome next time I set up a reef tank. Back in ’95, last time I did it, it was…the hard way, over months. Reply
Tizzle Dexter says December 23, 2019 at 3:49 pm Im thinking of setting up a smaller tank for a reef like a 55g. My last reef tank was 150g and put out way to much heat to keep inside. im really curious to try one of the refugium kits and the clam kits. Reply
Jayda Patterson says December 23, 2019 at 3:57 pm These kits are an awesome way to jump start a diverse and thriving ecosystem within your tank! Reply
Kristen Maves says December 23, 2019 at 4:31 pm I love that you offer this and take all the headache and toying around to a minimum! Reply
tragikzmd says December 23, 2019 at 4:33 pm I love ordering your guys’ copepods. My Mandarin is nice and fat. Reply
michael p says December 23, 2019 at 5:39 pm When I get myself this Tank under the tree I Will have to order some fuge starter kits Reply
Chris Buswell says December 23, 2019 at 6:29 pm When I am ready to roll the dice on a clam, this is what I plan to use. Reply
Paul Cote says December 23, 2019 at 7:02 pm One of the best products for refugiums on the market Reply
Dallas Tippie says December 23, 2019 at 7:32 pm This is a great idea for the beginning reef keepers. Reply
ekersd says December 23, 2019 at 8:30 pm Great for people who are short on time – just buy everything with one click and get what you need. Reply
Derek Covatch says December 23, 2019 at 9:10 pm The starter pack is awesome, it’s what I started my sump with. Couldn’t be happier. Reply
Derek Covatch says December 23, 2019 at 9:10 pm The starter pack is awesome, it’s what I started my sump with. Couldn’t be happier. Reply
Matt Traylor says December 23, 2019 at 10:13 pm This goes hand in hand with the other article. Tailoring a kit, specifically around the desired species the keeper wants to take care of, is brilliant! Reply
Brian Badge says December 23, 2019 at 10:31 pm This perfect. I am moving next month and want to star a pod population for a future dragonet. The Kitsap make it easy. Reply
Jacob T Wright says December 23, 2019 at 10:43 pm Starter Kits really help make everything just work smoothly as long as you fallow the directions Reply
Nicholas Hagstrom says December 26, 2019 at 7:49 pm I think I will try these kits on the next tank! Reply
Julianne Morgan says December 24, 2019 at 12:38 am I love the idea of a macro algae tank. I should have started out with this kit first. Oh well. More macro algae to be bought later. ? Reply
jason frames says December 24, 2019 at 1:32 am Super sad that I can’t get clams here they are beautiful Reply
Kyle hagger says December 24, 2019 at 5:45 am Starter kit make it easy too get everything you need Reply
David DeMarco says December 24, 2019 at 9:05 am Cant wait to buy my first clam kit from algaebarn! Reply
David Woolf says December 24, 2019 at 5:02 pm I’m starting my first reef tank and decided to go with a refugium in my sump. The starter kit is great and I just finished adding the copepods and macro algae this week after adding media blocks and bacteria starter last week. The starter kit makes it easy and I like knowing the macro algae has been treated, quarantined and inspected! Reply
Brad ODonnell says December 24, 2019 at 9:59 pm Would recomend to anyone starting a new tank great product and great wuslit6 Reply
Richard Varone says December 25, 2019 at 1:02 pm Love having things bundled together, makes things easy! Reply
Shaun Small says December 25, 2019 at 2:32 pm May have to get this for my daughters new tank. AWSOME, can’t waitr Reply
Tray says December 25, 2019 at 6:21 pm Starter kits from Algae Barn have made a easy start to reefing. Reply
Frank Fodera says December 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm cant wait to use these products. It makes so much sense to incorporate all the life forms to create healthy coral food and an ecosystem to make all the animals happy. Reply
Jeremy Halliburton says December 25, 2019 at 9:49 pm Just started my first reef tank. Great info! Reply
Neil says December 26, 2019 at 2:20 am I love this. I boutgh refegium starter kit also and so nice Reply
Ricky Dube says December 26, 2019 at 9:07 am I’ve never heard a single negative thing about these kits. My friends swear by it, and I’m considering picking one up myself Reply
dcallahan56789 says December 26, 2019 at 12:35 pm I REALLY WANT ONE OF YOUR CLAM KEEPER PACKS!!! BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU GUYS HAD SOME BIGGER CLAMS THAN 2″?? Reply
Casey Whittington says December 26, 2019 at 12:51 pm Wish I would of seen this yrs ago 🙂 My next tank I start I will 100% Use this Reply
Jordan Sims says December 26, 2019 at 8:44 pm Got a combo pack for my 75, when I win the new tank under a tree I’ll have to buy a new kit ? Reply
Bo Heath Kinsland says December 29, 2019 at 7:54 pm Im so excited to get a larger tank and i will probably buy from you guys. The info is great and now i know what to do! Thanks much Reply
Omar Pardo says December 26, 2019 at 9:13 pm When I win this Tank under the tree I’ll have to get these kits! 😉 Reply
Drew Rollman says December 27, 2019 at 9:51 am I like the clam rocks. That has always been an issue with any clam i’ve had. Old shells have been my go to on the sandbed. Reply
Meghan Mulkerin says December 27, 2019 at 1:06 pm I’ll be getting the Mandarin kit soon. I want all of the kits! Reply
conner stumpf says December 27, 2019 at 3:09 pm glad you guys offer things like this for newer hobbyists Reply
Robert Paniagua says December 27, 2019 at 6:46 pm I got one to set up my first refugium. Less than 2 months later and already have pods on my system Reply
Courtney Hoard says December 27, 2019 at 6:51 pm This is definitely the way to go. I’ve always find it intimidating to start up a marine tank and I guess that is why I still only have freshwater. Reply
Jean Pattison says December 27, 2019 at 8:25 pm I just have a waterbox 5526 waiting for assembly. I will be upgrading from a 90 gal 15 years old. Once all is moved, I will be getting a refugium starter kit. Love your kits. Reply
Michael Quinones says December 27, 2019 at 11:13 pm Other than that intense blue, whats the benefit to clams? Reply
ann.wirey1 says December 28, 2019 at 5:09 am Starter kits are a nice brainer! Take out the guess work! Do it right the first time! ♡ Reply
Echo Rodetsky says December 28, 2019 at 5:32 pm I’m hoping to need one of these once I set up a larger tank. Reply
Alejandro Rodriguez says December 28, 2019 at 9:11 pm A complete kit would make it much easier to have success in the saltwater hobby. Reply
Edward Raposo says December 29, 2019 at 12:43 am The mandarin started kit was perfect! Thanks for offering this! Reply
Cole Froerer says December 29, 2019 at 8:36 pm Just getting into the hobby really so nice to know Reply
Caden says December 29, 2019 at 9:26 pm Aquarium start kits are the best ways to get a new tank off the ground. Reply
Rudy A Garcia says December 29, 2019 at 10:29 pm A) Why didn’t I know about these starter kits a year ago when I started my first reef tank B) Thank our lord and savior Godzilla I found this now as I am in the middle of setting up my unused 10 gallon as another nano reef. Reply
Jaime Quintanilla says December 29, 2019 at 11:03 pm Very useful for beginners such as myself 😉 Reply
Ashton says December 30, 2019 at 12:18 am Good information, I’ve been interested in doing a salt water, I currently have 4 freshwater tanks but only one is fully stocked Reply
Anthony Sansone says December 30, 2019 at 1:00 am My sump is full of pods because of you guys! I love it! Reply
Bennie Fitzgerald says December 30, 2019 at 2:24 am Now am just seeing everything i need to know to be successful in thia hobby for a first time hobbist Reply
Patrick Stephens says December 30, 2019 at 5:44 am I’ve been meaning to try this kit out! Maybe I will on the next tank build ? Reply
Carrie Charles says December 30, 2019 at 8:02 am Definitely going to think about getting some of these! Reply
David mueller says December 30, 2019 at 9:07 am I like the refugium starter kit! Instead of putting everything together separately it takes the guess work out. If I ever start a new tank that’ll be the way to go! Reply
Tristan Smith says December 30, 2019 at 9:13 am These kits are an awesome way to get started in my opinion. Reply
Sam says December 30, 2019 at 9:19 am Those kits definitely sound helpful and necessary to getting a healthy tank up and running. Reply
Erick Blais says December 30, 2019 at 11:33 am Once again that clam kit is looking really good. Reply
James walker says December 30, 2019 at 1:27 pm Wish someone had put together an article like this when i started the hobby 20 plus years ago Reply
bad72nova says December 30, 2019 at 6:01 pm Pods and phyto are great but chaeto just does on me. Reply
Melanie Tavarez says December 30, 2019 at 7:56 pm Will definitely be looking into the clam kit when I decide to add clams Reply
samuelwalker1996 says December 30, 2019 at 8:03 pm That’s awesome, I will have to look into this when I start up my tank. Reply
liesle_memmott says December 30, 2019 at 8:05 pm The kits have been really a good item to offer. Thank you Happy Holidays! Reply
Dustin says December 31, 2019 at 5:52 am When I setup my refug, you guys are the only company i would trust! Reply
Ryan Slade says December 31, 2019 at 6:14 am These are a great way to understand what you need to start. Will be purchasing a couple different kits Reply
John Louis says December 31, 2019 at 8:41 am I wish I would had this info when I first started, great tool to have. Reply
Kale says December 31, 2019 at 8:56 am Will definitely have to look at a clam kit when I’m ready for one. Reply
Kim Eberhart says December 31, 2019 at 2:07 pm Awesome kits. I definitely want to get the clam kit one my tank is more mature! Reply
leyerin31 says December 31, 2019 at 3:53 pm Starting out brand new to this hobby. So glad I found this site and all the amazing information. Can’t wait to get going on my tank! Reply
Cassie schmick says December 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm Now I want another tank! It’s never end for me wanting more. Guess it’s time to open a store lol Reply
Timothy Barragan says December 31, 2019 at 6:20 pm I think that clam kit is calling my name. Very cool kit idea. Reply
Eric Rosnick says January 1, 2020 at 11:41 am Great information, just getting started in saltwater Reply
Peyton Howington says January 1, 2020 at 5:31 pm Now I want a clam since the kit makes it so easy! Reply
chereecarter says January 1, 2020 at 7:07 pm Omg, your clam kits look awesome! Love that they come with the clam hammocks and will definitely remember if I decide to try clams! Reply
tiffanymeyer1987 says January 1, 2020 at 8:10 pm If it weren’t for starter kits I would have never been able to get into this hobby Reply
Jonathan Dahl says January 1, 2020 at 8:24 pm On my next build I will spend more time cultivating a large microbiome after the initial cycle and let it mature in the tank before adding livestock. If I knew a year ago what I know now, I think I would not have had the first year battles that all come down to an unbalanced and immature reef. Reply
Eric Dickey says January 1, 2020 at 8:41 pm I need one of these for when I win the contest *wink* Reply
Nicholas Steele says January 2, 2020 at 2:15 am Still a few years away from getting a clam but I will be coming back when I start looking! Reply
chris peters says January 2, 2020 at 3:50 am Your guys refugium starter kit is the very best. Maybe industry standard should be thrown around. Reply
Paul Marvin says January 2, 2020 at 10:22 am I feel like the clam rock is definitely over looked and how important the foot of the clam actually is. Reply
Elizabeth Mack says January 2, 2020 at 12:23 pm So much useful information. I cannot wait to have a tank again and try my hand at saltwater. Reply
Nicole says January 2, 2020 at 12:26 pm We are looking into bringing/breeding aquatic life in our home within the next few months. After looking over and reading the blog posts, I know where to go when we are ready! Reply
Jesse Richardson says January 2, 2020 at 2:26 pm Will Need the aquarium starter kit soon! Happy Holidays! Reply
shackelford.jim says January 2, 2020 at 2:31 pm I’m planning to set up a saltwater predator tank later this year, And I’m hoping to do my first refugium on with that tank. Now seriously considering buying a kit to do it. Reply
stylewriter874 says January 2, 2020 at 4:20 pm I should get back into the clams. had to make the choice between Clams and a puffer Reply
Kaity says January 2, 2020 at 11:43 pm A short read but interesting! This makes me really want to get a clam in the near future! Happy 2020 everyone!! Reply
megan_kim says January 3, 2020 at 8:40 am Even if I don’t win the giveaway, it looks like Ima going to be purchasing one of these kits VERY soon! Reply
Jonathan Dahl says January 3, 2020 at 9:30 pm This kit is a no brainer for anyone starting a new tank. Reply
josephine bylsma says January 4, 2020 at 1:38 pm I love starter kits for when you’re a beginner! Reply
Kameron H says January 5, 2020 at 1:09 am The starter kits are honestly an awesome idea, it would be awesome to see these in my work place so I could recommend them to other hobbyists in the trade! It would save so much time and money getting everything sorted out all in one bundle! Reply
Jayson Sisson says January 5, 2020 at 6:36 am I have had clams before and always lose them I will try this kit when my tank is ready to add clams Reply
Julian Pillans says January 5, 2020 at 9:14 am Kits are great because you get everything you need in one delivery and it’s pre selected if you’re unsure what you may need! Reply
Amber Kolb says January 5, 2020 at 11:08 am I love starter kits! They can be really helpful for a newbie. Reply
Judi A Mitzel says January 5, 2020 at 2:24 pm I wish I had started with this when I first set up my tank! Reply
Judi A Mitzel says January 5, 2020 at 2:24 pm I wish I had started with this when I first set up my tank! Reply
talonn77 says February 5, 2020 at 3:51 pm Can’t wait till my tank cycles so I can get some great items Reply
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