Keeping rotifiers

[NH Fish]

How do you keep rotifiers going when you don't need them to feed fry? I have two 5 gal buckets of rotifiers going. harvesting about 1.5 gal a day from each, so 3 gal of new salt water a day. plus the cost of RG Complete. So in trying to trim the cost down what do you do to minimize production but still keep a culture?

 

[mwilliams62]

I am in the same boat but I had 3 - 5 gallon buckets and I got to busy and did not harvest for a week and about 90% out of each bucket died.. I was hoping to get enough for my fry that just hatched last week but was not enough rotifers I have lost a lot of fry.

 

[shifty51008]

from reeds website:

Vacation Mode


Since rotifers need to be maintained/harvested every day, it can be a problem if you go out town for several days. Fortunately there is an easy way to put your rotifers in "vacation mode" (hibernation):
•Pour a liter or so of your culture into a 1 liter container. Cover loosely to allow oxygen to enter.
•Add a bit of extra algae to darken the culture
•Put the liter container into your refrigerator
•After 7 days 50% of your rotifers should be alive
•After 14 days 15% of your rotifers should be alive
•Restart your culture using the directions above

 

[mwilliams62]

Cool thanks.

 

[temper76]

I change my water every 4 days but I get strings of algae I change have the water 2g n I have a 1 g container going but I feed every day ones a day but I don't use rgcomplete I use the one that comes like in a I. V pouch thinker than rg n tint the water with less . I buy prime on the side bcuz it don't have a buffer n what ever extra comes in rgc

 

[temper76]

That's what works for me.

 

[GreshamH]

pH is a critical point of rotifers, I highly suggest you use a buffer, you'll see increased production and experience less crashes.

You can recycle water.. bleach it, then neutralize the bleach. ST is cheap, as is a 5lb tub of ClorAm-X. Not sure if its cheaper then a cheap ASW mix though.

 

[Ron Popeil]

what pH would you recommend for my rotifer cultures?

 

[mwilliams62]

Keeping rotifiers

Gresham what is ST?

pH is a critical point of rotifers, I highly suggest you use a buffer, you'll see increased production and experience less crashes.

You can recycle water.. bleach it, then neutralize the bleach. ST is cheap, as is a 5lb tub of ClorAm-X. Not sure if its cheaper then a cheap ASW mix though.

 

[billsreef]

Based on context, ST = Sodium Thiosulfate...aka the basic plain Jane original dechlorinator.

 

[GreshamH]

Thanks Bill, you nailed it

 

[GreshamH]

what pH would you recommend for my rotifer cultures?

Salinity: 10-35 ppt (S.G. 1.0075 - 1.026), optimum 15-20 ppt
Temperature: 27°C/80°F (L rotifer type); 30°C/86°F (S rotifer type)
pH: 7-8 is optimal, 6.7 min, 8.5 max
Ammonia: Maximum 1 mg/L NH3
Optimal Feedings per Day: "Continuous" feeding (~ every 3 hours)
Minimum Feedings per Day: at least 2x per day for good production
Harverst Rate: 20 to 30% Daily

 

[mwilliams62]

Thanks guys