Auto brine hatchery and feeder

[karimwassef]

Can you draw out the design schematics?

With air pump, valve construction, timers, tubes, etc...

 

[Paul B]

I probably can but it is simple, the box is empty and there is a stocking across the top.
A tube goes to the surface to a funnel and on top of that is an auto feeder filled with shrimp eggs. A little water is pumped into tjhe funnel to help the eggs go down.
If I get time I will make a diagram.

 

[Paul B]

A better video

 

[karimwassef]

So they hatch inside the tank but protected from predation and water flow by the stocking? Then as they swim out, they get snatched up?

 

[Paul B]

Exactomundo

 

[Lavoisier]

Thanks, Paul. I was planning on copying your original feeder but this is even "more cool" (forgive the slang but after "Exactomundo" I think I'm in safe company). I was planning on encasing the feeder in a diy rock casing but I think I could do the same with your new design. I'll post pics when I get to that point in my build. I really appreciate your innovations and thoughts...most of the time!

 

[karimwassef]

Hey! I was going to encase it in rock!

 

[Paul B]

I really appreciate your innovations and thoughts...most of the time!

What do you mean, "most of the time"?

You can encase it in rock or a fender from a 1955 Oldsmobile but remember you have to remove it to clean out the eggs and clean the mesh as algae and schmutz will grow on it. :dance:

 

[Dproch]

Great idea, I will make one and try it for the next clown fry!!

 

[Paul B]

Thats what I said. :wave:

 

[northernreefe]

hey Paul,

Sorry if I missed it but how do the bbs get out of the box? thx.

 

[Paul B]

Sorry if I missed it but how do the bbs get out of the box? thx.

If you are talking about the auto feeder, they are attracted to light and the top of it is a nylon stocking so they swim through the stocking to the light and the fish eat them. If you are talking about my hatchery and shell separator, the eggs hatch on the right side, then I slide open the door that opens to the clear side on the left. I then put the black cover on the right side. The shrimp swim through the hole to the left side. I again close the door that separates the right from the left and open a valve on the left side allowing the shrimp and water to come out. I then collect them and put them into my normal feeder. The feeder pictured is my vacation feeder and the eggs hatch in there.

 

[northernreefe]

thx for the reply, greatly appreciated.

 

[Panta rhei]

Hi Paul, thank you for this thread!
If I've got your design correctly, what about having the hatching chamber dark with holes on the bottom of the sides for the bbs to swim out to light?
If the water flow from top is enough to bring the eggs down but not too strong, empty shells should float on top of the chamber

 

[Paul B]

I think that would also work and most of the shells would remain in the box. Of course when you do lift it out, the eggs would also come out the holes. You can't leave this in for more than a week or possibly two as the top screen will grow algae and clog the holes. It must be cleaned often.

 

[kenman345]

I think that would also work and most of the shells would remain in the box. Of course when you do lift it out, the eggs would also come out the holes. You can't leave this in for more than a week or possibly two as the top screen will grow algae and clog the holes. It must be cleaned often.

Next step of project, autoscrubber/cleaner.....

 

[fftfk]

This is a great project...do you think it would work in a refugium? Would the shrimp live past the return pump and into the display tank?

 

[Paul B]

They would live through the pump but they hatch for a few hours and most would be lost in the tank or hang at at the surface near the light.

 

[karimwassef]

Do you think this could be adapted to pods or rotifers?

 

[Paul B]

Yes with a much smaller screen