in preperation for stock

bearwithfish

i have been considering a number of options in my stock list and one common theme for any life form is FOOD... and being the cheep guy that i am i have found a number of formulas for DIY frozen foods and found ways to make a month or two supply for under $30.. good deal... but i want to offer some variety and continue to keep the hobby as hands on as i am able to...

this brings to mind breeding my own brine shrimp and phytoplankton.... now i have found a ton of resources on brine shrimp and have only a few questions regarding set up...
i have a small tank i would like to use and i know that algae and flow are important.. would using a long air stone be better than a small one? my thought is that the long one will keep the gentle flow consistent through out the tank.
should i use a small heater or go with out?
and finally would there be any benefit to a grow bulb on the tank to encourage algae growth?

then come the Phyto.. can it be grown in the home aquarium?
should you set up a small tank to do it?
can you culture from one of the bottles you purchas at the LFS? of not how to obtain?
care etc.....

kitten_penang

wow your actually trying to make food????

bearwithfish

of course for one (as stated) i am a cheep guy
for two this way i know exactly what they are getting
and finally i can add variety as i tamper with techniques or recipes....

kitten_penang

oh so thats it. you might wanna skip the cheap guy thing only smart guys take on things like this.

wake49

I would go with no air stone. They cause surface bubbles which pop and create a ton of salt-creep. I would go with a small, nano type, powerhead for circulation. Along with the PS (or return if you are going sump...), this should be enough water movement through the tank.

During the summer a small heater will cause more problems than anyting, but in Northern America you will need a heater in the winter. But that is why they sell thermometers...lol.

I do not think that there will be any benefit to a grow bulb on the tank, aside from the normal lighting...

bearwithfish

Wake - you know your post brings u a point i had not considered (i know i am random) but would i even need an other vessel for BS? i mean i could make the hatchery and then place them in the sump to grow out and feed as needed those that don't find the pump to the tank.... already plenty of flow, once macro is in there plenty to eat for them, and a safe zone with out the need to set up another tank!!!!! thoughts? comments?

KP - i thank you for the compliment and while i agree a certain amount of intelligence is required to find out how to make it i thin kits more of a desire to stay cost effective and to be as involved in the tank as possible with out monkeying with Chems and such non-sense.... (i get to play and they get to benefit!!!)

kitten_penang

to a degree it's symbiotic ;)

bearwithfish

very good discription....

wake49

I have no luck with Brine Shrimp. I hatch them, then feed them to the tank, and then after a day or so, no more Brine Shrimp. I don't think that they survive well enough to breed on their own. I have tried just putting them in the sump and also in the display. No luck. Do you have better luck than I do with these little guys?

bearwithfish

never tried before LOL kinda tossing the idea around and researching a ton of info and attempting to see what the final plan would be long before any investment