Re: [Killietalk] Feeding brine shrimp

["Ron Schulz" <ron_schulz at gmail.com>]

Hi Gary,
 My personal opinion is that it is not worth the time/money/effort to grow
BBs to adults indoors. I do however believe you can grow modest quantities
with little to no effort or expense outdoors. I have 4 fibreglass tubs
(about 20 gal each)  set up outside devoted to growing adult shrimp. They
are set up against the house foundation (east exposure) and the approx 24
inch roof overhang prevents rainwater from getting into the tubs. The tubs
get full morning sun until about noon and shade thereafter. I use well water
and add solar salt to a S.G. of 1.025. Over time (at least the first whole
season), algae will grow on all surfaces in the drums. Any and all debris
that falls into the drums( insects/leaves/twigs/mice/etc.) is left to
accumulate on the bottom and contribute to the nutrient supply. Over the
course of a few seasons, this debris (mostly leaves) can build up several
(5) inches thick and gets coated with algae. The shrimp spend most of their
time within the layer of debris at the bottom of the tubs. I NEVER feed
anything to the shrimp. Maintenance is simply to add fresh water from the
hose to make up for evaporation. I do add a small 5 ml squirt full of BBs
from my regular hatches about once every three weeks to each drum to make
sure I always have new generations growing up. Not sure it's necessary
since  harvested adults are nearly all carrying eggs. The drums have a
slight inward slant so that when ice forms in the winter, it seems to
extrude upwards and out. I thinks this prevents the tubs from cracking and
they are left out all winter. (Dutchess County NY Zone 5 to -20F) By leaving
them out all winter, the debris layer on the bottom is maintained for the
next season. In the spring, any floating debris is skimmed off and the S.G.
is adjusted to compensate for any dilution by snow blowing in. I seed the
drums with BBs in early May and usually see the first adults by June 1. I
recall one  very warm fall when I scapped a few shrimp out on Thanksgiving
day.  Harvesting involves scapping with a moderate size mesh net (to exclude
juv). Most of the shrimp (estimated 90+%) remain within the debris layer.
Thus, one must CAREFULLY stir up the debris layer with the net  to expose a
good quantity of shrimp. This is probably the most work involved in the
entire process. I harvest each tub twice a week. Peak production is in the
warmest weather (mid June to Oct 1). I estimate at least 2 ounces of solid
shrimp a week out of (4) 20 gal  tubs. Not much.......but considering what
this would cost as live brine in a pet shop........a nice treat for your
fish.
The best part  is that  virtually no work is involved. No 24 hour lighting,
no feeding, no salt water tanks in fish room, no air stones, etc.   Two of
my tubs have been out over 20 years. The fibreglass above the water line has
weathered away exposing the iron stiffening rods embedded in the rims. These
iron stiffening rods have nearly rusted away and  I expect  to see the tubs
collapse some time soon.  But, they have served me well. I always wonder why
more people don't grow shrimp outdoors.,,,....especially those in warmer
areas with longer growing seasons. It's just so easy  and as long as one
doesn't mind the modest production, it's painless.
..........................................Ron
Schulz.....................Dutchess County NY



On 9/14/07, Gary Lasseter <lasseter1113 at yahoo_com> wrote:
>
> Hello everybody,
>
>       I just recently started to try and grow my own brine shrimp to adult
> size. I have read many things on the net about how to grow brine shrimp to
> adults in 8 days. It has now been 11 days and my BS are barely double the
> size they were when they were born. I was wondering if anyone out there knew
> something I could feed them that can be found in my kitchen. I have been
> feeding them Small Fry ( liquid food for baby fish ) by Wardley. This seems
> to be keeping them alive but they just aren't growing at all. I would really
> appreciate any advice I can get on this subject and so would my killifish.
>
>   Thanks,
>   Gary Lasseter
>
>
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