mykiss
Jul 18th 2007, 12:06 AM
Well, a few people have asked me how I do it, so........
for me I make sure that I start off with good eggs (good hatch rate = or > than 70%, and new package/can). I find with really old eggs that the hatch rate drops a lot. When I am not using the eggs for long term storage, I put them in the freezer and make sure it's well sealed. If it's for regular use, I keep them in a cool dry place and make sure the lid is screwed on tight after every use.
Now, the tricky part.
I use a 2l pop bottle and invert it. Cut the bottom of the bottle so that the cut (open) side is on the top and the screwed in cap side is on the bottom. Fill the pop bottle with salt water and clamp the saltwater filled bottle to the inside of a currently running fish tank (which has a heater already in use). Make sure that the salt water is at the correct salinity. Depending on the brand of eggs, the salinity will vary. I'd suggest getting a hydrometer (prices start at around $10) and measure the salt water correctly. When I do water changes with my salt water tank I use that salt water however, before I had a marine tank I would pre make saltwater and measure the salinity with a hydrometer.
If you are using marine salt, then you don't really have to add anything in the water to increase pH and minerals. However, if you are using aquarium salt or kiln dried salt, I'd suggest mixing it with some epsom salt (1 part epsom and 4 parts aquarium salt). Also, add a pinch of baking soda to increase the pH (if not using marine salt). Once you have your salt water, pour enough to fill your pop bottle and throw in an air bubbler. I'd suggest a glass or plastic rod and not an air stone. The reason is that the bubble will be bubbling out from the bottom (where you want the source of the bubbles to come from to efficiently stir all the eggs around) and not half way down the bottle. You want to make sure that all the eggs are drifting around in the sat water. Also, I don't like using air stones because they get plugged up very easily.
Once you have the salt water in there and the bubbles going, then add your eggs. I usually add 1/4 or 1/2 a tea spoon. It will depend on how much you plan to use. As for temperature, I'd suggest 27-29 and as for light, I've hatched without and also with 24hrs light. Both seem to work but I'd suggest just keeping some light on. It not only increases water temperature (which will help speed hatching), but also it's supposed to help the hatching process. I'd also let the eggs hatch for at least 24hrs but 36 to 48 is great. If you've got lower hatch rate eggs, then let hatch longer. If it's high hatch rate eggs, then 24hrs should do. The only catch is that as the shrimps hatch, they will begin using up their nutritious yolk sac and the longer you wait, the less nutritious the shrimps will be. I hope this helps. It's what I do anyways. If you have any more questions, please feel free to PM me.
I've also got glass rods and brine shrimp eggs for sale if people are interested. Cheers
for me I make sure that I start off with good eggs (good hatch rate = or > than 70%, and new package/can). I find with really old eggs that the hatch rate drops a lot. When I am not using the eggs for long term storage, I put them in the freezer and make sure it's well sealed. If it's for regular use, I keep them in a cool dry place and make sure the lid is screwed on tight after every use.
Now, the tricky part.
I use a 2l pop bottle and invert it. Cut the bottom of the bottle so that the cut (open) side is on the top and the screwed in cap side is on the bottom. Fill the pop bottle with salt water and clamp the saltwater filled bottle to the inside of a currently running fish tank (which has a heater already in use). Make sure that the salt water is at the correct salinity. Depending on the brand of eggs, the salinity will vary. I'd suggest getting a hydrometer (prices start at around $10) and measure the salt water correctly. When I do water changes with my salt water tank I use that salt water however, before I had a marine tank I would pre make saltwater and measure the salinity with a hydrometer.
If you are using marine salt, then you don't really have to add anything in the water to increase pH and minerals. However, if you are using aquarium salt or kiln dried salt, I'd suggest mixing it with some epsom salt (1 part epsom and 4 parts aquarium salt). Also, add a pinch of baking soda to increase the pH (if not using marine salt). Once you have your salt water, pour enough to fill your pop bottle and throw in an air bubbler. I'd suggest a glass or plastic rod and not an air stone. The reason is that the bubble will be bubbling out from the bottom (where you want the source of the bubbles to come from to efficiently stir all the eggs around) and not half way down the bottle. You want to make sure that all the eggs are drifting around in the sat water. Also, I don't like using air stones because they get plugged up very easily.
Once you have the salt water in there and the bubbles going, then add your eggs. I usually add 1/4 or 1/2 a tea spoon. It will depend on how much you plan to use. As for temperature, I'd suggest 27-29 and as for light, I've hatched without and also with 24hrs light. Both seem to work but I'd suggest just keeping some light on. It not only increases water temperature (which will help speed hatching), but also it's supposed to help the hatching process. I'd also let the eggs hatch for at least 24hrs but 36 to 48 is great. If you've got lower hatch rate eggs, then let hatch longer. If it's high hatch rate eggs, then 24hrs should do. The only catch is that as the shrimps hatch, they will begin using up their nutritious yolk sac and the longer you wait, the less nutritious the shrimps will be. I hope this helps. It's what I do anyways. If you have any more questions, please feel free to PM me.
I've also got glass rods and brine shrimp eggs for sale if people are interested. Cheers