RE: [Killietalk] Feeding Brine Shrimp

["beemster" <beemster at bestweb_net>]

Hi all,
 I raise brine shrimp outdoors every year. When one accepts the fact that
it is seasonal (in northern climates) and typically only modest quantities
can be raised, they are perhaps the simplest of all live foods. I have 4
approx. 25 gal fibreglass  tubs lined up against the foundation with an
East/Southeast exposure. They get full sun till just after noon. The roof
overhang is just enough to prevent rainwater from entering. It takes  about
one full season for a thick algae layer to build up on all surfaces under
the water. In addition, all the leaves and other depris that blow into the
tubs decay and get coated with algae. Thus, the first year, shrimp
production is very modest. By the second season, the tub may be 1/4 full of
decaying vegetation and this seams to be more than enough to fertilize a
thick algae culture. I NEVER feed the tubs. I get production from May to
the end of Oct. with peak production in the warmest months of June - Sept. 
I typically harvest almost every day and geta peak production of perhaps 2
ounces of shrimp per week total from the 4 drums.  You can harvest every
day since most of the shrimp remain hiding within the debris layer and only
a small fraction are swimmoing up in the water column. I simply scap out
what is visible and make no attempt to stir up any additional shrimp from
the debris. So, maybe 2+ pounds over the ENTIRE 6 month season. The only
maintenence is to occasionally refill the drums as the water  evaporates.
Over time, the water takes on a yellowish color....like diluted urine. It
looks hidious....but the shrimp thrive in it. In my area (upstate NY) it is
important that the drums have slightly outwardly sloping sides. That
way....when the ice forms in winter, it simply extrudes up and out of the
drums without cracking them. Thus....the drums are left out all winter and
the algae layer can build up quickly in the spring. I recall one year
scapping out a few fully grown shrimp on Thanksgiving day and feeding them
to my angelfish. I do seed the drums each year in the spring and
periodically thereafter with a few shrimp just to make sure  I'll have them
at all times. But, I doubt it is necessary as I usually see baby shrimp by
very early May. The only work involved is taking the time to scap them out
each day, keeping the surface clear of floating debris, and topping off the
drums with water. More people should try it.
..............................RON Schulz.....Dutchess County NY 



>When the weather is warm, I'll put a bucket or barrel of old, used brine
>shrimp hatch water outdoors. No matter the container, I always get a bunch
>of adult brine shrimp within weeks. There are, however, so few that I
>reserve them for picky eaters, or conditioning difficult fish in
>preparation for spawning. I once raised a large batch at one time, but was
>never able to do it again.
>
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