How to hatch brineshrimp?

[discus_newbie]

Hi, I know there are tones of websites that post ways to hatch brineshrimp, but none of them are identical, not even similar. One site said need the pH to be 8 and a few say you don't need to change pH. The amount of salt to add varies too. So I post here how to ask and see how people here hatch theirs.

I've tried 1 method, I added sodium bicarbonate to make the pH 8 and added 1 teaspoon of salt to 1L of water, added 1gram of brineshrimp eggs and give them good aeration. 24hrs past and nothing happened. How do you know when they're hatch, since BBS are so small. Thanks for the helps.

PS: It is possible that I have bad quality eggs too, since I bought them from an untrustworthy LFS (it was cheap $2).

[seanyuki]

Just sharing.....



Hatching Brine Shrimp Cysts
Instructions and Guidelines
Below you will find the Web's most complete and simple-to-follow brine shrimp hatching instructions!

Storing Brine Shrimp Eggs
First of all, you need to start with healthy, properly stored eggs. All brine shrimp eggs need to be stored as follows:

in a tightly sealed container;
free from moisture; and
in a cool environment at or below 50°F. (Refrigeration is ideal for short term storage, i.e., less than three to four weeks; for longer term storage, eggs are best kept at or below freezing.)

We recommend that upon receiving your eggs, dividing them into an amount that will be consumed within three to four weeks and storing this amount in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator; the remainder should be stored, also in a tightly sealed container, in the freezer. Keep in mind that freezing can lower metabolic activity and delay hatch-out. We suggest removing egg from the freezer one day in advance of using it.

The above storage guidelines apply to all brine shrimp eggs, whether in opened or unopened tins.

Hatching Environment
Follow these guidelines for the best results:

Salinity:
25 parts per thousand (ppt) salt solution, or approximately 1 and 2/3 tablespoons of salt per quart (or liter) of water. This equates to around 1.018 specific gravity as measured with a hydrometer. Be sure to use marine salt or solar salt.

pH:
Proper pH is important in hatching brine shrimp. A starting pH of 8.0 or higher is recommended. In areas where the water pH is below 7, Epson salt or magnesium sulfate can be added at the rate of 1/2 teaspoon per quart of solution to buffer the hatching solution.

Temperature:
Optimum water temperature for a 24-hour complete hatch is 80-82°F or 26-28°C. Lowering the temperature would result in a longer hatching time. Do not exceed 30°C.

Light:
Illumination is necessary to trigger the hatching mechanism within the embryo during the first few hours of incubation. Maintaining a light source during the entire incubation period is recommended to obtain optimum hatch results and for temperature control.

Aeration:
Constant aeration is necessary to keep cysts in suspension and to provide sufficient oxygen levels for the cysts to hatch. A minimum of 3 parts per million dissolved oxygen during the incubation is recommended. Strong aeration should not damage or hurt the brine shrimp cysts or nauplii.

Stocking Density:
1 gram per liter or quart or approximately 1/2 level teaspoon of cysts per quart is recommended. A higher stocking density will result in a lower hatch percentage.

Hatching Cone:
Flat-bottom hatching vessels should be avoided. Cone or "V" bottomed containers are best to insure that the cysts remain in suspension during hatching. Be sure to thoroughly wash the hatching cone with a light chlorine solution, rinse, and allow to air-dry between uses. Avoid soap. Soap will leave a slight residue which will foam from aeration during hatching and leave cysts stranded above the water level.

Incubation Period:
Generally, the optimum incubation time is 24 hours. Egg which has been properly stored for more than 2-3 months may require additional incubation time — up to 30-36 hours. Oftentimes, eggs will hatch in as few as 18 hours. If a smaller size nauplii (Instar I) is desired, a harvest time of 18 hours is recommended.

Helpful Hint:
Brine shrimp egg is sometimes very buoyant. In order to maximize the hatching percentage, it is sometimes helpful to swirl the water inside the hatching container with your finger once or twice at intervals in the first 4 to 6 hours of incubation in order to knock down eggs that have been stranded on the side of the container above the water-line. After about 6 hours, the eggs are usually well-hydrated and will stay in the water column.

http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/

[Peachtree Discus]

probably lots of variation because, logically, it should depend on your water details. luckily i don't have to worry with that too much. i use two 1 gallon fish tanks so that i can have a new batch about to hatch when a batch is running out. i may not get optimal results, but my level of success is enough for me. for me, it's simple as 1, 2, 3

1) soak 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of bbs eggs in 1/2 gallon dechlorinated water for minimum 1 hour.

2) add 6 teaspoons of salt and aerate (amount may not be perfect, but it works consistently for me. i use common non-iodized tablesalt)

3) 35 hours later, stop the aeration and shine a flashlight towards to bottom of the container. when the water settles you should see movement at the bottom in front of the light. voila!!

[mmorris]

The important thing is to hatch twice a day, because the nutritional value is used up quickly. My house is quite cool in the winter so I hatch mine in a 5 gal. tank. I put a couple of inches of water in the tank and a small heater, and heat to around 82 degrees. I cover with a glass cover and a strip light which I keep on 24/7. I have this next to the kitchen sink. I use three 2-liter bottles with the top cut off. I put 2 tablespoons of salt and around 1/4 teaspoon bbs eggs (maybe more) in a bottle. Fill with warm water and put in the tank. Add an airline so the eggs don't settle. If the eggs settle for any length of time, they won't hatch. Hatching should take place within 24 hours. I do this morning and night and rotate the bottles in the tank. Use the newest hatch, even if it means throwing away some in the older bottle. I buy 8 oz. bs eggs at a time so I don't mind tossing older bbs. I get mine from Brine Shrimp Direct and always buy their premium grade. Store the eggs in the fridge and 8 oz will see you through several batches of fry. Always clean the bottles before re-filling with the next batch.

To feed, I remove the air line and let the bottle sit for a few minutes. The bbs will settle down towards the bottom of the bottle. I use an airline tube, stick one end near the bottom of the bottle and suck to start a suction. I strain the bbs into a paper towel covering the sink drain or into a piece of nylon covering a cup. Then just dip it into the tank with the babies. Hope this makes sense.

[discus_newbie]

Thank you for everyones replies, mind i ask what salt do you use? would aquarium salt do the job? or i need marine salt? i have 1.25L and 2L coke bottles, how much salt do I add, and also my water pH is at 7, do i need any modification? Thanks in advance

[mmorris]

Thank you for everyones replies, mind i ask what salt do you use? would aquarium salt do the job? or i need marine salt? i have 1.25L and 2L coke bottles, how much salt do I add, and also my water pH is at 7, do i need any modification? Thanks in advance

As I said above, roughly two tablespoons in a 2-liter bottle so a little more than one tablespoon in the 1.25 liter bottle. Any salt will do, but aquarium salt and, I believe, marine salt, are expensive. The cheapest I have found is non-iodized table salt for something like 50 cents a pound at the supermarket. A ph of 7 is perfectly fine. I don't know that brine shrimp care much. I don't think you even need to de-chlorinate your water. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it - light, warmth, aeration, sufficient salt and quality eggs.

[tcyiu]

I put a couple of inches of water in the tank and a small heater, and heat to around 82 degrees ....

... Hope this makes sense.

Very nice write up. Thanks.

Tim

[jimg]

I use mortons pool salt from home depot. 40lbs is about $7.00. I did a comparison to fine grade aquarium salt and no diff. only takes longer to dissolve.
I use 4.5 tbs to about 3/4 gal..025 sg
Also add just a pinch of baking soda

[angelfishusa]

Since I import, sell, and use a lot of brine shrimp eggs (including distributing GSL eggs) thought I'd jump in here.
I use about 2 cans of eggs each week. The GSL and the import eggs need to be hatched a little different.
GSL EGGS..
2 liter soda bottle
1 1/2 coffee scoops solar salt or kosher salt.. Any salt will do but you need to adjust your measurements. I like to use about 30ppt salinity.

I use a small CFL light on 24 hours a day. It raises the hatchrate a few percent.

I also add 1/4 teaspoon of Empsom salts. this keeps the pH more stable.

1 to 2 teaspoons of eggs and a lot of aeration. 18 to 24 hours you will have all the baby brine you need!

IMPORT EGGS....
Must have light on during the hatching process.....
Easier to hatch in cooler water but not 100% NECESSARY. under 80 is best but I am hatching them in 86 right now without much problems.

Here's the difference. LOTS MORE SALT. 2 level coffee scoopers! or about 38 to 42ppt salt. I get 95% hatchrates from my imports but still prefer the GSL this year......

I am estimated 2 level tablespoons of salt is 1 coffee scoop measure. Just never used a Tablespoon!!

There you go. Nothing to it!
David

[Aquaben19]

Martha, I copied your setup to the T. I like it alot but it seems like I get alot of eggs when I siphon. I use ON GSL eggs that come in that $60 can. What might I be doing wrong?

[Rex82]

I use 2L coke bottles upside down, a handful of salt, pour some eggs in and aerate. 24hrs later i turn the air off and siphon the hatched bbs out into sieve, rinse and feed. never measured how much salt or eggs. i just pour some in. prob bout a teaspoon. I dont dechlor the water at all, doesn't seem to matter. I use a am and pm bottle so i have two hatches a day.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Has anyone used these in-tank hatchery's before?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hatchn-Feed-Hatc...item439aebc65e

I am asking because I would like to have something for my discus tank, fry tank (if I ever get fry, Lol) and my reef.

[Eddie]

Has anyone used these in-tank hatchery's before?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hatchn-Feed-Hatc...item439aebc65e

I am asking because I would like to have something for my discus tank, fry tank (if I ever get fry, Lol) and my reef.

They are useless in raising discus fry because the hatchery has to stay submerged. With the constant water changes, it wont be submerged.

[jimg]

i ordered one a long time ago looked at it at put it where it is now..... under the cabinet!