Baby Brine Hatchery Question?????

Dowtish · Dec 13, 2012

I just started up a small brine shrimp hatchery, and I am wondering what is the best way to filter out the egg "shells", and how to get the super tiny shrimp into my tank? I have seen a video that suggest either using a fine screen net, but these guys are so small, they would go right through it. Also, on a video, there was a suggestion of using a straw to suck them up in. But for some reason on the video all the shrimp were at the bottom of the bottle. Mine are not, they are swimming all over the place. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

RacinRevo0818 · Dec 13, 2012

I'm interested too!! I have seen some one use the 3/8" hard line then attach airline tubing and place it in the middle create syphon and catch them that way. There is a interesting contraption on eBay that's home made and he says it works great and is like $15.

Pkunk35 · Dec 13, 2012

Are you hatching in a cone? Maybe try a light source near the bottom to get them to congregate.

Here's some info: Brine Shrimp Resources | Brine Shrimp Hatching Instructions

Harvest:
After hatching brine shrimp, turn off or remove aeration and wait several minutes for the shells and and baby brine shrimp (or nauplii) to separate. Newly hatched nauplii will settle to the bottom of the cone or move towards a light source; the shells will float to the surface. Once separated, the nauplii can be siphoned from the bottom with a length of air tubing or gently drained through the bottom of the cone through a valve, if so equipped.

Dowtish · Dec 13, 2012

Yeah, it's a 2 liter bottle upside down. All of the shells did float to the top, but I will try the light source trick when I get home.

orlando809 · Dec 13, 2012

This is what ive done for 2 years
5g bucket,2-3 gallons of water from my tank,air pump
Put the air line in the bucket once they start hatching turn the pump off put a small flash light on one side of the bucket once you see tons of them use a turkey blaster or syringe then put some in your fuge and some in your tank,few week later you going to see brine shrimp everywher

Aquaph8 · Dec 13, 2012

You can decapsulate them with a bleach/water solution so you don't have to deal with any shells. I can't remember the ratio water to bleach or how long though, it's been a while. hopefully someone can chime in that knows what I'm talking about.

Dowtish · Dec 14, 2012

Aquaph8 said:
You can decapsulate them with a bleach/water solution so you don't have to deal with any shells. I can't remember the ratio water to bleach or how long though, it's been a while. hopefully someone can chime in that knows what I'm talking about.

That would be really convenient.

Pkunk35 · Dec 14, 2012

They also sell decapsulated hatching eggs, although you probably already have a few billion of the non-decapsulated ones already.

Here is the forumula for decapsulating them according to Brine Shrimp Direct: Shop Now Brine Shrimp Direct

Aquaph8 · Dec 14, 2012

^^^ YES, thanks pkunk

Aquaph8 · Dec 14, 2012

Pkunk, that link goes to the home page, can we have the link to the actual decaping page, Thx

Pkunk35 · Dec 14, 2012

Aquaph8 said:
Pkunk, that link goes to the home page, can we have the link to the actual decaping page, Thx

ooops, here you go

Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs | Frequently Asked Questions

You guys making me want to setup a couple cones! :xd:

bullysam · Dec 14, 2012

this is how I hatch mine...no other equipment needed....very simple

24hrs later

uall8up · Dec 14, 2012

I have been decapping them for almost a year now. All I do is soak the cysts in water for a few hrs, then drain the water. Take the wet cysts and pour in bleach until they are covered. Stir them for about 3/4 minutes(until the mixture is orange), then strain through a brine shrimp net. Rinse them in the net with running water for several minutes. Add the eggs to a container of very salty water and store in fridge.