Re: baby brine methods

[Erik Olson <eriko@wrq.com>]

On Tue, 24 Feb 1998, Steven J. Waldron wrote:

> Hi folks,
> My method for hatching out/collecting baby brine is far from perfect.
> Though I try my best (concentrate the brine with a light source, try to
> separate the shrimp/cysts in freshwater prior to feeding), I end up with a
> lot of cysts in my aquariums. I'd love to hear suggestions for a "clean"
> method for rearing brine. Also interested in hearing results with shrimp
> eggs of the "shell less" variety. Thanks in advance.

We bought one bottle of "shelless" type, and will try it soon... also
interested in any "tips" you may have on this one.

Here's what we do for the normal brine shrimp: 2 liter coke bottle. In the
top I drilled a small hole and poked in a drip irrigation tap (available
at home stores for like 25 random elbows, tees and taps for $2).  This
seal is waterproof if done right... sometimes it takes practice to not
tear the bottle top.  (See the CO2 page on the Krib; this is the same as a
"yeast CO2 reactor" design!)  Turned bottle upside down, cut about 1.5" 
hole in "bottom"  (now the top)  so it can be filled with water, eggs and
salt. Hooked airline to drip tap;  we also added a small inline valve
about 2" from the bottle.  Hung the thing from a hook with a light on top. 
When temp is too low, stick in a small heater.  Make sure air pump is at
higher level than the hatchery, or else water will backflow and
electrocute the pump.  We run two of these at a time, staggered by 1-2
days so we always have food available.  The heater moves between the two
hatcheries, because it is no longer needed once the naplii have hatched.

When hatching we first turn off the inline valve, then disconnect it from
the "pump side" airline... so at this point there's this little 2" piece
of airline hanging out under the hatchery.  All the brine shrimp collect
at the very bottom over the course of 2 minutes, while the empty cysts
float to the top.  We put a small cup under the hatchery and simply open
the inline valve for a few seconds.  Pure brine shrimp.  Depending on
whether it's me or Kathy doing the feeding, we might filter the baby brine
through a net to get rid of the small amount of saltwater that comes with
it (I'm the lazy one).

I think our ratios are 1.5 tsp salt for a 1/2 full bottle (1 Liter), with
1/4 to 1/2 tsp of cysts.  

Some other folks in our club have painted the top 1/3 of the hatchery
black so they can put a light at the bottom to collect the naplii, but
we've never had trouble getting them to congregate there when the air is
turned off.

  - Erik

- ---
Erik D. Olson					         amazingly, at home
eriko@wrq.com