Ok, so I'm totally crazy or something, but I can't manage to hatch out bbs like I used to. Dechlorinated water, salt, aerator, bbs eggs, 24 hours ....... what am I missing? It just seems like they're not hatching out like they did the last time I needed them to feed my babies. grrrrrrrr

HEAT?

If you have had them for a while, you might want to try decapping them.

You don't need declorinator water. Just pipe water will be fine. One teaspoon aquarium salf only to 2 1/2 QT water. room temperature is 78F to 80F.
Where you got your bbs? Are they been seating on the shelve for a long time? Makes sure put the eggs into the refrigerator. I have one can been seating in the refrigerator for a year and still hatching. They are 85% when I bought them. ^_^

I premix my water, a gallon at a time, I was just thinking about that.
I use 4 tblspoon salt, 2 tspoons epsom salt and 1 tspoon baking soda.
maybe it is over kill, but it has been working for me, when I don't want to fuss with decapping.
I just don't have the time, otherwise I would be decapping, and hatching in baking soda water only.. makes the BBS live longer in the water.

Age could have something to do with it. They're about a year old now. Guess I'll be decapping some bbs eggs now hehehe. Thanks you guys!

Yuk, I hate having to decap! Good luck!

Bella,

What amounts do you use for baking soda?

For fresh water brine shrimp, I use 12 teaspoons (4 tablespoons) of baking soda to a gallon.

Wayne Svhmidt did an experiement, and found that the best hatch rate he got was about 1/2 teaspoons per 6 oz, and that more didn't help or hurt.
I worked that out to 4 teaspoons per 48 oz..
Which made 8 teaspoons per 96 oz.
24 oz of water was 2 teaspoons for a totol of 10 teaspoons for 120 oz. Plus another 1/2 teaspoon for 6 oz.. and I just didn't have it in me to figger out what 2 oz of water to baking soda would be, so I said forget it..
I can remember 4 tablespoons, and that is good enough for me, lol.

Hey Bella! Wasn't it you that did a post about decapping bbs? I am looking for it!! Any chance you have a link ?

ok, I found it. That's a lot of work to hatch out the tiny amount of bbs I need! hehe

But that method is perfect for small amounts, as well as larger amounts, lol.

Did you see that? :o

Your Elmer Fudd Impression?
Yeah.

Ok, that was totally too much work. But........ by being lazy today, I let the bbs I was hatching brew for an extra 12 hours .... and there were tons of hatchlings. So that will be my tactic now. :P