Dedicated to Fancy Guppy breeding in the UK

         

D.I.Y. Brine Shrimp Hatcher That Works!  © - Derrick Clayton                         

 

Materials needed to make this simple Hatcher:

An empty 2 litre plastic drinks bottle with top,
Length of airline tube,

Small amount silicone sealer, 
A block of wood or MDF.

                                                                 

         

I use 100mm x 50mm planed timber (approx 4in x 2in), cut square to make a block 100mm x 100mm x 50mm (approx 4in x 4in x 2in). I chamfer the edges, see photograph, I feel it makes a more pleasing shape, but not essential.

 

Mark the centre of one of the 100mm x100mm sides (this will be the top of the Hatcher) and drill hole to take the inverted bottle cap, I use a 30mm bit and cut a depth slightly deeper than the cap depth.

 

Turn over the block (this will be the base of the Hatcher) and drill a hole in the centre with say a 22mm bit about 15mm deep.

 

Next use a drill bit that allows airline tube to pass through, tightly but not restrictive, and drill a hole through the block, joining the two larger holes you have just cut.

 

With the same drill bit, drill from the side, as low as you can, into the lower hole previously cut in the base, it helps the flow if this hole can be drilled on a slight incline towards the top.

 

After sand papering, the block can now be painted or varnished if you wish

 

Make a hole in the centre of the cap to take the airline tube, a tight fit but make sure is does not restrict the flow. I find this best made with bradawl since a fast drill bit tends to rip too large a hole in the cap.

To assemble, pass the airline tube through the side of the block, into the base hole, turn up the tube and pass through into the large upper hole, pass through the inverted cap, put a little silicone sealer under the cap, press the cap home making sure the cut end is level with the inside base of the cap. Ensure the airline is not trapped or kinked, leave sealant to dry overnight.

 

Cut the base from the plastic bottle, invert, and screw into the cap now sealed into the Hatcher base, taking care not to over tighten and break the seal. Photograph shows completed Hatcher base ready to receive the inverted bottle.


 
 

 

 

Completed Hatcher

Connect the airline to the air supply and fill with about 2 pints of water at approx 78F,

I use 2/4 teaspoons of cooking salt, experiment with the actual quantity of salt since results will vary with water quality. I do not find a difference between the cheapest cooking salt and marine salt. Turn the airline on to mix the salt.

 

Turn off air, add level teaspoon of Brine Shrimp eggs and stir in before starting air, this helps prevent eggs sticking to the sides. I find that increasing the amount of eggs does not increase the yield.

 

 

 

 

Aerate vigorously for about 24/36 hours at a temperature of about 78F, turn off air and allow too settle for about 10 minutes, egg shells will float to the top and live shrimp will gather at the bottom, a light shining on the bottom helps. When they have settled in the bottom, just disconnect the airline from air supply and allow to drain through a brine shrimp net or sieve.

 

This article is copyright© and may not be reproduced without the permission of the author

To submit your questions and comments on the article direct to author – CLICK HERE