Question on hatching brine shrimp eggs

[FishBR]

Hi there,

A few questions for those experienced with hatching brine shrimp eggs:

1. The PH here in New Orleans is 8.2. This means I don't have to add baking soda, correct?

2. Some websites say you don't need a light right on the top of the hatchery, since room light is enough. Is this correct?

3. Is it worth raising the shrimp to a larger size in a separate container to feed larger fish? As I understand, the main nutritional value of BBS is the sac attached to the babies, which will not last beyond a day. Any information or experience on this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wingrider]

My domestic water is lower Ph than yours, and I just add salt. I stir 2T salt in half a cereal bowl of water and put in a pinch or two of eggs. Thats it. You can adjust your pinch size to suit your need... No lights other than ambient room light, no baking soda, no aeration, no special equipment. When they hatch, lay an envelope over half of the bowl and wait a few minutes. The shrimp are drawn to the light. Siphon with a baster, and rinse in a brine shrimp net. Thats it. Start a new bowl each morning, and you'll have continuous supply. No mess, no fuss. I tried growing them out once, but it was harder than I thought it was going to be, and I was unsuccessful.

 

[BumblePrime]

I have been hatching BBS for 15 days straight so while I'm not experienced as others I'll answer what I can.

1. PH does not seem to matter. I've hatched via RO water and tap both of which have very different PH readings.

2. Light has zero effect on how the BBS hatch. Temperature however, is far more important. I keep the hatchery at 28C, lower temps will add additional time to the process. Moving it from 24 hours (at 28C) to possibly 36 hours.

3. I'm not sure about raising them but they will keep for 48 hours in a container, in my experience.

 

[FishBR]

Thank you both. You answered all my questions.

 

[CassCats]

Salt is fine.

Light is useful to harvest them rather than to raise.

After they hatch, place them in a cool dark place, they will all collect at the bottom of the container with the empty egg shells floating up top. Just suction out the shrimp from the bottom of the tank to rinse.

Keep them in the salt water container and rinse each fresh batch. Store the salt water brine shrimp in the fridge, they will last 3 days dormant from the colder temperature, but will still be good for those 3 days to use.

Another option:

Once they hatch, store in a dark cold spot, collect from the bottom of the container, rinse all of them, then fill them into an ice cube tray and freeze them, use the cubes to feed your fish like you would with frozen bloodworms

 

[itiwhetu]

The way I used to harvest brine shrimp was with a strong pen light they all come to the light. Then with a length of air hose just suck them up the hose.