It is easy and inexpensive to build an efficient hatching station for Artemia salina nauplii using just two soda bottles. While many commercial solutions exist, none can beat this DIY model in terms of cost and simplicity.
Construction and Logic
The design utilizes the inverted bottle principle, ensuring that the cysts remain in constant motion and do not settle in dead zones. By using the bottom of one bottle as a stand, you create a stable base, while the hatchery itself (the inverted bottle) allows for easy harvesting directly through the air hose at the bottom.
Optimizing the Hatch Rate
To maximize the yield of your brine shrimp, consider these factors: 1. Light: A light source placed above the apparatus stimulates hatching and helps concentrate the nauplii for easier harvesting. 2. Aeration: The airflow should be strong enough to keep all eggs in suspension without splashing them onto the dry upper walls of the bottle. 3. Water Parameters: Use lukewarm water with a salinity of 25-35 ppt (approx. 2 level tablespoons of non-iodized salt per liter).
Practical Maintenance
A minor drawback of this lightweight construction is the high center of gravity when full. You can increase stability by filling the base with silicone, sand, or plaster as a counterweight.
For a more permanent and robust daily setup, you might want to check out my advanced design: the "Deluxe Artemia Hatching Station".
 nauplii in operation.](/image/thumbnails/00231/300/0)
