Best Kit for Starting to Raise Rotifers?

[ufans]

I am going to be breeding clownfish and need everything to start raising rotifers.

Here is the kit I was considering....
Florida Aqua Farms's Maxi Culture Kit

What do you think? Too much? This is just for one or two breedings of clownfish... not a real business or anything. Just wanted to say I have done it and learned something.

Do I need the Plankton Culture Manual.. or is there enough info on the internet? Also, the kit doesn't include any filters for harvesting.... I need those as well .. right?

I already have containers, air pumps, etc.

 

[Fishboy42]

That's a good kit, but if you are only going to raise a few batches, there are more affordable ways to do it. Nothing against FAF of course, as they've provided me with great rotifers before as well.

If you go here: http://aquaculturestore.com/swinverts.html
and scroll to the bottom, they have plantkon kits that include the collection screen ~$23 incl ship. You can then buy a bottle of DT's or Reed products at your LFS to feed the rotifers and you're set.

LFScultures.com also has some good cultures/kits. Starting with these, you should allow yourself a week or two to get the cultures going before planning on harvesting any rots to feed your larvae.

For information, there is a lot on the web. Reed mariculture's site has a lot of good info, Paul Sachs at the aquaculture store will answer your questions, and there's an article online too:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/breeder.htm

HTH

Matt

 

[Nagel]

The screen from aquaculturestore.com is kinda cheesy, its a yogurt cup with the bottom cut off, a hole cut in the top, and some rotifer screens, but it does do the job. I do prefer a real rotifer screen that costs a bit more, but in all honesty, if you are doing this for only a clutch or two, the aquaculturestore stuff will work. They also send you a yeast based rotifer feed, I never liked that, they foul the water quickly. I definately prefer phyto of some type, it fouls the water less, and if its live, it even helps to filter the water a tiny bit instead of fouling it..

But, Fishboy42 covered the bases, and really, there is more than enough info on the web for culturing. You only need the manual for larger scale operations. Culturing for one or two clutches should be easy enough with the info on the web.

 

[ufans]

How much DT Phyto do I need to cultivate enough rotifers for 1-2 clutches of clowns?

Also, when I harvest the rotifers.. do I replace water with new water after I run it through the screen?

 

[Fishboy42]

I think one 15oz bottle should be enough. You should be able to maintain a fairly strong small culture for a couple of months with that--if not, you can always pick up another. Near me anyway, there isn't any savings from buying the larger bottle!

Ideally you should replace the water with new water. Sometimes I just throw it back in, but it would be better to constantly do a waterchange on your cultures.

 

[Jon Lazar]

Maxi kit

Maxi kit

I think the maxi kit has a lot of extra stuff you don't need for raising a couple of batches. You only need 1, maybe 2 nanno disks, and they sell you 4. You only need 1 vial of rotifer cysts, not 2. You can also get some starter nanno and rotifers from someone in your area. I bought one of the FAF density measuring doodads, but never use it. Also, plastic gang valves tend to be very difficult to adjust. I bought metal ones at the super-LFS for $6.50 for a 4-gang valve, and replaced my plastic ones. I'm much happier now.

 

[Dman]

It does come with the 53micron collector, but as Jon Lazar pointed out, there is a lot of extras in there you'll probably never use, not to mention twice as much cultures.
I agree whole heartily regarding the plastic gang valve, truly of little use.
Dman

 

[Kathy55g]

My metal ones are rusting, and sometimes the adjuster handle falls out....Someone should invent a plastic air valve that works!

 

[Dman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7293866#post7293866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kathy55g
Someone should invent a plastic air valve that works!

That would be sweet

 

[NicoleC]

I use the blue Lee plastic air valves, and other than the fact you can turn the knob too far and bleed all your air pressure off, they are pretty decent.

Fine tune? No, but balancing an adjustable air pump plus 25 air outlets off a manifold to get even air pressure without a lot of back pressure on the pump is kind of a pain anyway.

I guess ya'll will have to upgrade to titanium valves.

 

[Dman]

I'm looking to have to probably go blower.

 

[Kathy55g]

Won't help with the valve situation.

 

[ediaz]

It does not have to be titanium, nickel plated will do fine.

QF-PTV1 form FAF is made of nylon and is very stable, QFVNR2 brass nickel plated works best but I don't know who sells it anymore. That is what I use, Petsolutions had it but I can't find them in their site.

Ed