Where can i get them? How much do they cost? Do I have to clean their tank, feed them, if so how often? Would like as much info as possible.
Sea Monkeys?
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actually, they sell them with the little kits. You would have to send off for them. All they are is brine shrimp.
Their lifespan isnt too long tho. Normally you feed them to saltwater fish. I am not sure of what to feed TO them… if anything.
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Sea Monkeys are Brine Shrimp. Just head down to you local fish/petstore and ask for a bottle. The eggs come dried and TINY (they look like fine grains of sand). The instructions to hatch the eggs are easy to follow. However, they usually don’t last very long in the home set-up. Commercially prepared food meant for small fry (in solution form) are available which you can use to feed your sea monkeys. Just a drop, a couple of times a day will do. Unfortunately, I really don’t think you can keep them alive for more than a few days. They’re too small and the water tends to foul up. It’s quite fun trying to raise them though. Good luck!
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Sea monkeys do cost alot but you dont have clean just feed.Sea-Monkeys® are a true miracle of nature. They exist in suspended animation inside their tiny eggs for many years. The instant-life crystals, in which the eggs are enclosed, preserve their viability and help to extend still further their un-hatched life span! Sea-Monkeys are real Time-Travelers asleep in biological time capsules for their strange journey into the future
How long do thy live?
Thanks to new computer-driven processing technologies and ultra-pure, non-toxic chemicals, twice as many Sea-Monkeys instantly hatch, grow larger and live longer than ever before. You can expect your Sea-Monkey® tank to last about 2 years.
An exact, pre-blended formula of “magic crystals”—and live Sea-Monkey® eggs are inside the envelopes supplied in every Sea-Monkey kit. When added to water, live Sea-Monkeys® will hatch. That’s why anyone can get perfect results without any knowledge of chemistry or biology. Just by following the easy instructions you create Instant Life®. The only “extra” is the water.
How big are they?
At birth, the Sea-Monkeys® are very tiny, no larger than the “period ” at the end of this sentence. That is why it’s possible to “overlook” them when they are first born. Since their fate is in yours hands, do not discard the formula if you don’t see them right away. To do so would be like “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
Even though they start out so small, Sea-Monkeys® grow up to be between 1/2 to 3/4 an inch in length during a 4 week period. At this stage, they’ll start to reproduce and have more adorable babies.
Are Sea-Monkeys® safe?
Sea-Monkeys® are in no way harmful to humans or the environment. If they somehow find their way into natural water ways or sewer lines, they simply will not be able to survive outside of the formula.
Water
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When the water level gets low, should I add more Water Purifier?
No, just fill to the correct level with distilled or purified water. The Water Purifier is designed as a one-time formula
Can I use tap water?
Nope. Distilled or filtered water is best.
Why do I have to add Water Purifier before adding the Instant Life eggs?
The Water Purifier is a Top Secret combination of buffers and special ingredients that help Sea-Monkeys hatch and thrive. The actual composition is and known only by Mr. Von Braunhut (the creator) and a few others.
Do I ever need to add salt to their water?
No, everything they need is in their Instant Life packet.
Why is the water cloudy?
You’re probably feeding your Sea-Monkeys too much. Temporarily discontinue feeding until the water begins to clear. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of food and algae for your Sea-Monkeys to thrive on!
Do Sea-Monkeys like the sun? Should I put them in sunlight to stay warm?
Sea-Monkeys are photo-reactive (meaning that they will react to sunlight), and they love the sun. Indirect sunlight is okay but keep them out of direct sunlight, so that their tank doesn’t get too hot!
What temperature should the water be?
Room temperatures around 72° F (22° c) should be fine.
Can I color my Sea-Monkeys by adding food coloring to the water?
Uh, no. Adding anything to your tank not specifically designed by Transcience Corp for Sea-Monkeys will probably kill them.
Should I change the water periodically?
Nope.
Feeding
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How often should I feed my Sea-Monkeys?
The Official Sea-Monkey Handbook suggests feeding them once a week using the small end of your feeding spoon. If you have a large colony, you may feed them more often, but remember if the water gets cloudy you’re feeding them too much.
How long will my packet of Growth Food last?
Growth Food has been scientifically balanced so that one packet lasts about a year.
I heard that I can feed them yeast instead of Growth Food, is this true?
Only if you really want all of your Sea-Monkeys to die.
I’m running out of food, is there something else that I can feed them? — How about fish food?
Absolutly not, your pets cannot survive on anything other than Sea-Monkey food. You can purchase food packets and more from our online store Click Here
Is the Growth Food supposed to be green, or is it moldy?
Yes it is. And no it isn’t.
Does Growth Food taste good?
Only to the Sea-Monkeys, but there’s no accounting for taste!
Reproduction
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My Sea-Monkeys are stuck together, what’s happening?
Try not to blush but your Sea-Monkeys are mating! Pretty soon new Sea-Monkey babies will be on the way.
How does Sea-Monkeys reproduce?
The male and female can mate together sexually or the female can fertilize her own eggs, a process called parthenogenesis or “self-conception”!
How can I tell if I have any pregnant Sea-Monkeys?
The female will carry an egg sac near her stomach.
What happens if the pregnant female dies before releasing her eggs?
To insure the survival of the species, nature sometimes causes the female to release her eggs, even after death.
How many babies do Sea-Monkeys have?
They usually have about 20 offspring at a time.
How long after mating will it be until the babies are born?
Not even we know for sure.
How long does mating take?
Sometimes you may see your Sea-Monkeys attached for several weeks,
so try to give them some privacy.
Do Sea-Monkeys get hurt while mating?
Not usually, although sometimes things can get pretty rough.
What are those sacs hanging off my Sea-Monkey? Are they Sea-Monkey testicles?
Uh No, actually, those are the females’ egg sacs.
I’m worried that there are too many Sea-Monkeys in the tank.
How many is too many?
Your tank will safely hold about 100 Sea-Monkeys, more than that and there may not be enough oxygen for all of them.
The babies are swimming to the surface of the tank a lot, is this ok?
They’re supposed to. Baby Sea-Monkeys require more oxygen and are surfacing to get it. Baby turtles and dolphins do the same thing!
What ARE Sea-Monkeys?
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What are they?
Sea-Monkeys are a hybrid species of brine shrimp called “Artemia NYOS”. “Artemia” is the genus they belong to, which includes Fairy and Brine shrimp. NYOS is the acronym for the New York Ocean Science Laboratories where they were created.
A person in a pet store insisted that Sea-Monkeys are just brine shrimp?
The person in the pet store should visit this website.
How are Sea-Monkeys different from brine shrimp?
There are several differences. Sea-Monkeys grow much larger (up to .5″ long) and live longer than ordinary brine shrimp. They are also a lot more active and can be taught to perform “tricks”, unlike ordinary brine shrimp.
Can you find Sea-Monkeys in the sea? Don’t brine shrimp live in the ocean?
No, you will only find them in your Instant Life packet and Sea-Monkey tank! Brine shrimp live in salt lakes and salt flats, but your Sea-Monkeys are not brine shrimp. They belong to the same genus, “Artemia”, but are completely different animals.
How big can they get?
They can grow between 1/2″ and 3/4″ long!
How long will my Instant Life packet last before I use it?
How long has never been established, although Sea-Monkey eggs have hatched after a decade! Sea-Monkeys exist in suspended animation through a process called “cryptobiosis”. Once the eggs are poured into treated water, they “magically” come to life!!
Why are they called Sea-Monkeys?
Because of their playful demeanor and the facts that they have tails!
Are Sea-Monkeys a type of plankton?
Plankton are single cell animals, Sea-Monkeys are multi-cell animals.
All my Sea-Monkeys have died! How can I bring them back to life?
There are still many unhatched Sea-Monkey eggs on the bottom of your tank.
DO NOT POUR OUT THE WATER.
Try this first:
Aerate your tank for about 1 1/2 weeks
Look closely as you should see new baby Sea-Monkeys appear.
I aerated my tank for over a week and new Sea-Monkeys did not hatch, what do I do now?
Allow all of the water in your tank to evaporate (this may take several weeks).
Add fresh bottled or distilled water and 1 package of Water Purifier Stir
Wait a few days and you should see new Sea-Monkey babies!
Cool FAQ’s
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Are there any benefits to owning Sea-Monkeys?
Similar to owning fish (or a lava lamp) owning Sea-Monkeys is said to have a calming effect. Picture a tank on your desk at work and your Sea-Monkeys frolicking about inside. They are quiet, and easy to care for needing only to be fed once a week and you rarely need to clean up after them!
What are some cool Sea-Monkey facts?
They breathe through their feet and adults have 3 eyes!
General FAQ’s
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I lost the instructions, how do I get started?
Add Water Purifier to your tank filled with distilled or filtered water.
Stir for 60 seconds.
Wait 24 hours then add Instant Life. Stir for 60 seconds.
After 5 days then add 1 small scoop of Growth Food from small end of the feeding spoon.
Continue to feed once a week with the small end of your feeding spoon.
Why must I wait 24 hrs before adding the Instant Life?
So the Water Purifier can completely clean the water of any bacteria or harmful impurities.
It’s been a week and I still don’t see any Sea-Monkeys, do I start over?
Sometimes Sea-Monkeys take their own sweet time to hatch. Occasionally it takes up to 72 hours. They are only about the size of a pinhead so you have to look very close!
What is the gunk on the bottom of my tank? Are those dead Sea-Monkeys?
A natural part of their ecosystem, this “gunk” is actually decaying Sea-Monkey moltings, waste and eventually dead Sea-Monkeys. Sea-Monkey’s molt up to 7 times during their lifetime. What you saw was probably just dark-colored shells. Dead Sea-Monkeys look like normal Sea-Monkeys, only they don’t move around as much.
What is that black streak running down my Sea-Monkeys body?
Although they look like racing stripes, it’s actually just food in their digestive system.
Are Sea-Monkeys harmful to other animals native to my community?
Not at all! If anything, the other animals may be harmful to your Sea-Monkeys. Watch out for stray fish!
Do I have to use a special Sea-Monkey tank?
No, even a clean 12 ounce jar can be their home. We offer a selection of Sea-Monkey tanks with lights, glow-in-the-dark features and built-in aerators and magnifying portals to add to your Sea-Monkeys experience!
Why don’t my Sea-Monkeys look like the ones depicted on the packaging?
The illustrations are meant to communicate the fun of the Sea-Monkey environment and are not the actual size or shape found in nature.
What is the thread-like tail coming out of my Sea-Monkey?
Um well. It’s Sea-Monkey excrement.
The number of Sea-Monkeys in my tank varies from 2 to 30! What’s up?
Overfeeding and not aerating your tank enough are the most common reasons for your many babies not reaching adulthood. If your water is cloudy, you are feeding too much. Try aerating your tank every day for about 2 weeks, you should then see a great number of Sea-Monkeys reach adulthood!
Can I put Sea-Monkeys in with my fish?
Only if you want them to become fish food!
My Sea-Monkeys are different colors, why?
Because Sea-Monkeys are “color changing”! Their colors range from white to dark red.
My Sea-Monkeys are attached, but not moving. What’s going on?
If you notice that they both have “whiskers” under their chins, then you’re watching two males fighting.
Why are my Sea-Monkeys fighting?
Like other animals, (including humans) there are several reasons Sea-Monkeys may fight to establish dominance over resources for females!
Should I separate the Sea-Monkeys when they are fighting!
No, you should never get in the middle of any animal fight! Let them work out their differences on their own!!
Do the males fight?
Yes, typically the males are the fighting culprits!
Do the females fight?
No. They are usually quite well-behaved.
Cleaning
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My tank has lots of gunk on the bottom, how do I clean it?
That gunk contains Sea-Monkey eggs and algae. You don’t need to clean it,
but if you wish you can just suck up some of that gunk with your Aqua Leash. Don’t forget to top off the tank with more water!
Should I remove the Sea-Monkey shells after they shed them?
It’s not necessary, all of the stuff that collects on the bottom of the tank are
part of the Sea-Monkey ecosystem.
I have a film of blue-green algae in my tank, should I clean it?
This is algae and normally occurs if you keep your tank near a bright light source. It’s very beneficial to your Sea-Monkeys, like a jumbo salad for them.
But you can use the Aqua Leash to clean the tank if you wish.
Should I change the water periodically?
No. Add clean, fresh water to recommended levels as it evaporates.
There is no need to change the water.
Contact Info
How do I order more Sea-Monkey supplies?
You can purchase them through our on-line store, or purchase them through mail from Transcience Corporation: P.O. Box 809 Bryans Road, MD 20616
Can I contact Transcience via email?
Not at this time.
Emergencies
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I accidentally poured the whole Growth Food packet into the tank, what do I do?!
Move quickly! As long as your Sea-Monkeys are alive you still have hope.
Find a clean jar to transfer your Sea-Monkeys into.
Using your Aqua Leash extract water from the center of the tank (since the surface of the water will have food floating on it) and transfer to the new jar.
Using your Aqua Leash, transport as many of your Sea-Monkeys as possible.
Place a clean white paper towel, or paper coffee filter over another clean jar.
Pour the remaining water from your Sea-Monkey tank through the filter. This will filter your water, but will unfortunately filter out any extra Sea-Monkey eggs you may have had.
Rinse your Sea-Monkey tank with clear water.
Pour your filtered water back into your Sea-Monkey tank
Pour your live Sea-Monkeys back into the Sea-Monkey tank.
Cross your fingers!
I accidentally ate the contents of one of the packets, should I seek medical attention?
No, but what were you thinking? While not very tasty to humans, all of the packets (Water Purifier, Instant Life, Growth Food, etc.) are completely non-toxic. The only exception would be if you had some sort of allergic reaction.
My Sea-Monkeys are dying! What do I do?
The Sea-Monkeys life cycle varies, and so will see the number of pets in your tank. However, it is possible that there could be a real problem.
Have you fed them once a week with the small end of the feeding spoon?
Is the water cloudy? It’s possible you’ve overfed them. Wait until the water clears and try again.
Is the water too warm? The temperature should be around 72* F.
Are they getting enough oxygen? Be sure to aerate several times a week
Products
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If you have any problems with your Sea-Monkey kit (I.e. broken part), please contact the store where you purchased it or Sea-Monkeys Inc. directly.
What is an Aqua Leash?
An Aqua Leash is a suction-type transfer tube used to safely transport
Sea-Monkeys from one tank to another. It can also be used to clean your tank.
It is included with most Sea-Monkey tanks or can be ordered from Transcience Corporation.
How do I use the Aqua Leash?
Depress the top, put the other end into your tank to gently remove Sea-Monkeys (or anything else) and slowly release the top.
Can I use the Aqua Leash to aerate the tank?
Yes (although nothing works better than the Million Bubble Air Pump).
Place the open end into the tank, depress the top (to push in oxygen), lift back out of the tank and release the top. Do this several times for proper aeration.
How should I clean my Aqua Leash?
It’s a good idea to clean your Aqua Leash to prevent any foreign bacteria from entering your tank. Use a very mild detergent, rinse extremely well and let it air dry completely before next use.
What is the Million Bubble Air Pump?
A Million Bubble Air Pump is a manual aerator made specifically for your Sea-Monkeys. It is included with several (but not all) Sea-Monkey tanks or can be ordered directly from Transcience Corporation.
How do I use the Million Bubble Air Pump?
Put the end with the clear plastic bubbler in the water and simply depress and release the top several times. You will add a lot of oxygen into your tank that will help your Sea-Monkeys thrive!
Can the Million Bubble Air Pump hurt my Sea-Monkeys?
No, just be careful not to squish your little pets! Vigorous bubbling is not recommended, just slow gentle bubbles.
What if the clear plastic bubbler falls off?
It shouldn’t, but if it does just push it back onto the tube.
Should I clean the Million Bubble Air Pump?
Keeping your Million Bubble Air Pump clean to prevent bacteria from entering your tank. Use a cup of clear water and depress several times, then rinse under clear water. Make sure that it dries before using it again. DO NOT USE DETERGENT! Never. We mean it.
What are Sea-Diamonds?
Sparkling, non-toxic gem-like crystals that Sea-Monkeys use to play and build caves with. Over time, they actually float, suspended in the water like mysterious floating astroids.
What is a Feeding Spoon?
The two-sided spoon is calibrated to scoop the right amount of Growth Food to your Sea-Monkeys. Small spoon should only be used for feeding, and the large spoon is for adding Plasma™.
What is the Magic Castle?
The Magic Castle is a dome-shaped Sea-Monkey tank with a colorful castle
on the bottom and everything you need to rule this magic underwater realm.
A long-time favorite that really shows off your Sea-Monkey kingdom!
What is Sea-Monkeys on Mars?
The Mars tank is a dome-shaped tank resembling the surface of Mars and comes complete with everything you need for an out of this world adventure, including an Sea-Monkey spaceship! Perfect for Sea-Monkeys explorers!
What is the Sea-Monkey Space Shuttle Expedition?
Sea-Monkeys have accompanied John Glenn into outer space on one of several NASA missions, so to celebrate we designed the Space Shuttle Expedition. Designed after the Discovery Space Shuttle it comes with everything you need even a built-in aerator and “cockpit” light for nighttime viewing!
What is the Ghostly Galleon?
The Ghostly Galleon comes with a glow-in-the-dark sunken ship and everything you need for a ghostly good time! The Aqua Leash, Million Bubble Air Pump, Oceanic Searchlight, Water Purifier, Instant Life, Growth Food, Plasma 4, Feeding Spoon, the Official Sea-Monkey Handbook.
What is the Ocean Zoo?
The Ocean Zoo is our basic Sea-Monkey tank. It comes with everything you need including Water Purifier, Instant Life, Growth Food, Feeding Spoon, and the Official Sea-Monkey Handbook to get you started on your Amazing Sea-Monkey adventure.
What is the Ocean of Fun?
The Ocean of Fun is a great Sea-Monkey starter tank. It comes with Water Purifier, Instant Life, Growth Food, Feeding Spoon, Aqua Leash and the Official Sea-Monkey Handbook to get you started.
What is the Ocean of Light?
The Ocean of Light kit comes with everything you need to raise a Sea-Monkey family including an “Oceanic Searchlight” for up-close, night-time viewing!
What is the band of the Aquarium Watch made of?
It’s made of a durable PVC plastic. Thanks for asking.
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they are so small you can’t clean the tank very well with them. they have very short lifespans. i suggest a hermit crab instead if you are looking for a low maintenance pet. or get a gallon tank with a betta.
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You can buy a little home for them at toys r us int he science kits section for $10. It comes with instructions, food, eggs, and the little home. no need to clean. life 7-30 days
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Sea Monkeys are nothing more than Brine shrimp. Most reputable pet stores will sell these to you live, so you can buy as many as you want. But before you do, there are a few things you will need for them to survive.
You will need an aquarium, Salt for Salt water fish (I suggest Red Sea Salt, around $12.00-$15.00 per box and it will go a long way, however instant ocean will also work and is less expensive.
Air pump ($6.95 for a small tetra air pump) , and I would suggest a hatchery $9.00 if you intend to keep breeding. However in a small decorative aquarium, this may not be practicle), eggs Sold at Petco Petsmart walmart in a little tube around $3.00 and food (we’ll get to that later) Hydrometer (anywhere from $3.00 and up) You don’t need anything fancy.
Lets make an overview of what we need to start:
We need; 1) an aquarium, 2) salt water, and 3) brine shrimp eggs, airpump, and or a hatchery right?
AQUARIUM
Some breeders want to raise brine shrimp in weird shaped containers… well, as long as they are more wider than taller, its ok. Containers not designed for fish are not suggested, but if you want to do it anyways, rinse it with hot water and let it cool. (It is not a bad idea to rinse with hot water any aquarium tank or objects to be in contact with the water.) Keep the container in a place that can receive indirect sunlight, but a gentle amount of daily sunlight is recommended if you want to promote the growth of live algae. It is a good idea to keep a “plant light” near (but not too close!) the aquarium to keep it with a good water temperature and to encourage algae growth at night. Brine Shrimps benefit from warm temperatures and a lot of light, as long as the aquarium doesnt get hot. Artemias grows slower and smaller when raised in cold temperatures.
SALT WATER
You need to prepare the salt water in a container other than the aquarium that will contain the brine shrimps, because of the visible traces and insoluble minerals found in most of these salt mixes. You dont want this at the bottom of your brine shrimp tank!
WATER
You need water and use some chlorine remover formula if you want to use tap water (I use novaqua $6.95). Boiling the water is also a good idea, as long as you remember to let it cool several hours before use!!!
SALT
Use ocean salt mix found in pet shops . Do not confuse with mild aquarium salts for freshwater fish. A little bag of ocean salt gives you enough mix for many uses. Check the amount of salt you’re adding to the water by using an ‘hydrometer’. Pour the salts little by little until you have a weight no more than 1.023. Eggs may fail to hatch in higher concentration of salts. You may want to prepare the salt water in another container, and let it stand overnight. This way, the insoluble minerals will drop to the bottom.
BRINE SHRIMP EGGS
Store them in a cool, dry place but do not refrigerate. Use a Sea-Monkey feeding spoon or a paper match to add brine shrimp eggs to the aquarium. You may be surprised of the amount of brine shrimps that will hatch using only a small scoop of the feeding spoon. Depending on the eggs brand, they will hatch in 24-48 hours, more or less, in a temperature no less than 70F/26C (I usually keep mine at around 75). Use the air pump to circulate the water for 24 hours. You may need the help of an air valve to circulate the water with a very mild air pressure. After 24 hours, stop the aereation and start to feed them the next day.
To summarize, we have these steps to follow:
Rinse all objects to be used, including the aquarium, with hot water only
Fill another container with tap water and put some chlorine remover in it.
Add one teaspoon of salt mix at a time to the prepared water.
For each teaspoon of salt added, mix well and measure the weight with an hydrometer. Dont let the salt level rise more than 1.023
Let this formula stand overnight, until all of the insoluble minerals drop to the bottom.
Fill the aquarium with the formula. Take care not to pour the sediments that are in the bottom.
Add aereation to the aquarium. You may need an air valve to get a fine aereation and a mild water circulation.
Use a paper match or a Sea-Monkey® feeding spoon or 1/8 or less teaspoon used only for your eggs to add some brine shrimp eggs to the aquarium.
Set aside the aquarium for 24 hours. Remember to keep it warm and illuminated at night.
After 24 hours, turn off the aereation and look closely for any newborn baby.
Ok, we set our aquarium and we already have our newly hatched Artemias… so, what’s next? You want to raise adults Artemias, right?
Artemias start to look for food at the second day of birth, so be prepared to follow 2 golden rules:
Keep the water circulating with VERY VERY fine bubbles
FEED THEM AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE WATER SLIGHTY CLOUDY
“What?” you may say: NEVER overfeed fish or Sea-Monkeys.!”. Yes, And its still true!, but we are talking here about mass-breeding of brine shrimp, remember? When your brine shrimp grow to adulthood (aprox. 3-6 weeks), it is encouraged that you to transfer them to a more clean / less cloudy environment and start to feeding them once or twice a week and dont let the water to get cloudy.
If you want to raise a faster growing and bigger Artemias, I suggest to order the Sea-Monkey® Uncle special: “Artemia Green Soup”. The “soup” consist of live algae, that you’ll need to grow by yourself before adding the brine shrimp eggs.
Suggestions:
After adding the water to the aquarium and starting the aereation, but *before* adding the brine shrimp eggs, shake the contents of the live algae formula and pour into the aquarium.
Set aside for 5 days in a sunny place. Check that the water is not overheating. The tank will turn dark green.
Set the air pump on with a fine aereation, this cause the algae to circulate. This algae tends to sink to the bottom of the tank, so constant circulation is required.
After 5 days, add the brine shrimp eggs.
If you have a balanced amount of Artemias, there’s no need to feed them again!
Please be responsible with the amount of brine shrimp used. Live algae can’t last forever if you overpopulated the tank. So keep it handy an alternate source of food, like the “Artemia Food”
Honestly, they are very easy to raise. You really don’t need anything fancy to do so. No fancy lights, no fancy containers. I’ve raised them in a mason jar on my window.
Hope this helps
http://home.coqui.net/menace/artemias.htm
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/brine-shrimp-science-project.html
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