Keeping artemia in DT?

[theofilos]

I had this crazy idea. While I'm leaving my tank without fish, for the rock to develop good population on micro organisms, I was thinking if I could let some artemia live in it. I can hatch them somewhere else and put them in the DT (200g). How would they fare long term if I provided them with phytoplankton? Could I have a self sustained population with a low fish population?

I know its kinda crazy to think of it, but I would love that idea if it suceeded. Anyway I wanna learn if people had experience with it. Thanks!

 

[philter4]

You could ealily keep artemia alive and healthy in a display tank, they would also breed as long as they have enough food. Phytoplankton and algae would be perfect. There is no way to keep fish or any invert that would eat them. In an enclosed system the number of adults you would need to keep the population growing would pollute the system, causing it to crash. If you want to raise your own artemia, use a seperate tank and just add some of them to the main display.

Edit: After thinking about it, if you had only one fish that was not a really active hunter it might be possible. Something like a dragonette, or a small blenny or goby, and no inverts that would also eat the adults or larvae, it may be possible, but not very appealing to me. That is one of the things about the hobby, you may want an artemia tank, I would rather have a tank of fish and inverts.

 

[theofilos]

How do they fare with the currents? Are they dragged away easily or they hide through the rocks?

 

[iamwhatiam52]

I would imagine they would wind up down the overflow moments after being introduced into the average tank.

 

[theofilos]

I will try very soon and see how things work out. At least I have hope for the refugium .