BrineShrimp Culture

Shadowramy · 05-25-2006, 12:32 AM

Try as I might I just can not get a brimeship culture hatching. I have bought the little packets that come in the SF Bay brineshrimp that work fine so I purchased some premium eggs from brineshrimpdirect.com and have has the worst luck.

What I have tried.
I am using inverted two liter bottle, it is setup like at melesreef: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/food/bbs/how_to_bbs.html

I tried using 2 cups tank water with 1/2 cup RO - I get little hatching but mostly nothing after 48 hours. The eggs tend to bind up and connect to each other. I have a little stronger flow than a slow boil for bubbling.

I have tried using RO/DI with new salt at 1.018 and I get about 50% hatch rate after 48 hours.

Any advise?

fat walrus · 05-25-2006, 12:44 AM

bay brand brine shrimp is one of the best. it has always given me the best hatch rate. stay away from big containers and imported stuff. the brine shrimp harvested from the salt ponds in san francisco bay is in specific gravity of 1.030-1.045.

Shadowramy · 05-25-2006, 01:42 AM

I already have 2lbs of premium shrimp, which has a 90% hatch rate - nothing else should be better: http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/bri...p_premium.html

According to the instructions, these hatch in 1.018 specific gravity.

These are not imported they are the BEST quality Great Salt Lake-origin Brine Shrimp Eggs.

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 01:00 PM

is your hatchery lit constantly?

Shadowramy · 05-25-2006, 01:53 PM

yes it is. With a 75w 6500k compact bulb.

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 02:07 PM

that should be enough...

how about temp.. is it at a normal room temp?

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 02:12 PM

FWIW, i have use the eggs from Brineshrimpdirect for a long time with great success.

are the eggs being stored in the fridge?

Shadowramy · 05-25-2006, 04:53 PM

yes, they are stored in the frig. Who process do you use for your hatching brime?

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 05:15 PM

so far it sounds like i am doing everything the same as you are.

i do have to ask.. and i dont mean this to be negative, but how are you determining that you are not getting the 90% hatch rate

**CarmieJo** · 05-25-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

how are you determining that you are not getting the 90% hatch rate

Well, that's easy. Count the eggs and then count the shrimps when they hatch. Divide shrimps/eggs and you have the hatch rate! BTW, it is easy to count those eggs and shrimps!

Shadowramy · 05-25-2006, 05:31 PM

Rob,
Which one are you doing? adding tank water or premixing RO/DI water at ap SG 1.018?

I am comparing it to what i had with the SF bay prepacked with salt eggs by "eyeballing" it.

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarmieJo

Well, that's easy. Count the eggs and then count the shrimps when they hatch. Divide shrimps/eggs and you have the hatch rate! BTW, it is easy to count those eggs and shrimps!

lol... i hope this is a joke...

***Rob*** · 05-25-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowramy

Rob,
Which one are you doing? adding tank water or premixing RO/DI water at ap SG 1.018?

I am comparing it to what i had with the SF bay prepacked with salt eggs by "eyeballing" it.

i use 2 cups tank water with 1/2 cup or RO

so by eye balling it you mean how much napualli are at the bottom after you turn off the air and let it settle?

**CarmieJo** · 05-25-2006, 07:05 PM

Just my smart-alec self... Although I have counted many a bacteria culture under a dissection microscope.

pham411 · 05-25-2006, 08:58 PM

ive used that brand, it comes pre packed with sea salt and all you need to do is add water and an air stone. ive cultured with light and without light with success. are you using tap water as the media? what is the temperature in the area