rotifers

[sean1]

I started a rotifer tank from a small cup a freind gave me. I put them in a 2 gal. tank and tried to mach the Ph and salinity of their previous container. I let them aclimate for about two hours and added a small flow of air for oxygen. The salinity was a about three ppt off and I am wondering how important this is because I can see no rotifers swimming in the tank.

 

[Kathy55g]

It's not important. Feed them lightly, and keep the air on. They should multiply in a few days.

 

[sean1]

Also, do they fed at night. When I feed them during the night the water still seems cloudy in the morning

 

[Chad Vossen]

it may be possible they are just in shock from change in salinity. keep the water tinted green with phyto and give them time. keep the air bubbles going too.

 

[Kathy55g]

They do not need light.

 

[EMBRYOGUY]

what is the lowest temp you can keep rotifers? sorry to hijack your thread sean1.

 

[Kathy55g]

You can keep them at 4C if you aerate them. many will die,though.

 

[EMBRYOGUY]

kathy, whats the min. temp than for good survival? i guess i need to get a heater for the rotifers than. my temps are running around 18 C.

 

[Kathy55g]

good idea. They multiply faster when they are warmer.

 

[Lance one]

I read somewhere that optimum temp was 80 F. I try to stay in the 75-85 F range. I know my density will start dropping off when I'm down in the low 70's F.

 

[GreshamH]

Temp depends on what strain.

 

[EMBRYOGUY]

i have no idea what strain they are. ill raise it up to 75 than, since i only have one spawning pair at this time so i do not need as much rotifers as most breeders.

 

[sean1]

I know the rotifers are only a portion the size of a newly hatched brine shrimp, but should I be able to see them.

 

[Kmiec123]

Held up to the light in a clear syringe/beaker/vile they look like slightly bigger than dust particles moving around in the water column.

 

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8687098#post8687098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean1
I know the rotifers are only a portion the size of a newly hatched brine shrimp, but should I be able to see them.

They seem larger the longer you deal with them You should definitly be able to see them though.