Brine Shrimp Option

[Almondsaz]

Does anyone just put the brine shrimp eggs in the fuge and let them hatch/grow there? or is there some reason that doesn't work?

[Fishieness]

i wouldnt do it unless you get the decapsilated eggs. the eggs are basicaly indigestable and can get clogged in the intestins of any fish that eats them and they could die. The same thing can happen to corals. If they injest them the shells can harm them. but if you have the decapsilated ones (which are very expensive) then it woudl be okay.

[Almondsaz]

Thanks fishieness. Do you know how long it takes to populate the fuge with copepods (sp)? When I set up my fuge, the LFS had pods for sale to start with so I seeded the fuge with them (about 15 of them). Since then I bought the bottle of pods to further seed the fuge. I see a few, but not what I expected to see.

[Fishieness]

are you expecting to seed it with copepods or brine shrimp?
it depens a lot on yoru system. if the pods have enough to eat and you ahve enough hiding spots, then they could populate REALLY quickly. but if you have anythign in there, any shrimp, fish or a LOT of other things, they could eat them which would prevent them from growing. also, if there are a lot of nutrients, it will help them because it will give them more food. you dont usualy want a lot of nutrients in a ssytem, but there usualy are in a fuge in the form of algae. also, if you get some cheato, but is a REALLY good food and hiding spot for them to breed and populate in.
if you arent seeing a lot, try lookign at night. you are more likely to see osme then.
good luck!

[Almondsaz]

Thanks...I will check tonight. Right now I only have the pods in the fuge. Live rock (Tonga Branch) so lots of open space and hiding and a bit of Cheato, oh - and one snail.