What salt do you use to hatch Brine Shrimp?

[Levi_Aquatics]

I am wondering what kind of salt everyone uses to hatch brine shrimp. I have been using kosher salt with a pinch of baking soda but I was interested to see what everyone else uses and wondering if the salt I am using negatively affects the hatch. Thanks for any input!

[Schwack]

I've used kosher salt in the past, but ended up picking up a pound of sea salt from the bulk section of a local market. They had it for under a dollar a pound. I didn't notice any marked difference in my hatches between the two.

The biggest difference has been swapping to coop brine shrimp. The eggs seem smaller/finer, almost powder-like, and I definitely end up with more casings floating at the top after 24 hours.

[Levi_Aquatics]

Just now, Schwack said:

I've used kosher salt in the past, but ended up picking up a pound of sea salt from the bulk section of a local market. They had it for under a dollar a pound. I didn't notice any marked difference in my hatches between the two.

The biggest difference has been swapping to coop brine shrimp. The eggs seem smaller/finer, almost powder-like, and I definitely end up with more casings floating at the top after 24 hours.

I just switched to the Co-op's brine shrimp eggs to! I Also noticed a much greater hatch rate.

[MAC]

Instant ocean marine salt is what I use. I have very soft water out of the tap. 

[SpicyFin]

Seachems Live bearer brackish salt i buy the 8 pound bucket i use it in my tanks so since I have it in hand I use it for my bbs

[StevesFishTanks]

Instant ocean standard. I know some who use the reef version.

[Maggie]

I was using regular non-iodized table salt, which worked fine, but picked up a 5 pound box of aquarium salt for about the same price per pound, and also use a pinch of baking soda to raise the pH. 

[Streetwise]

I am an amateur with BBS. This is the salt I pulled out of storage from my marine days:

[Levi_Aquatics]

Nice setup @Streetwise

[Cory]

I use marine salt. Was fritz salt, now it's a different blend we are testing 😉

[Larrimore]

I use kosher salt and a pinch of baking soda like others.  I'm pretty happy with my hatch rate.  

[L.W. Wetarm]

I started out using API salt but it was a little too chunky so I picked up a bag Fluval marine salt. It has a much finer texture. I feel I get a better measurement with it. Both work fine. 

[Kat_Rigel]

I have used pickling salt, API, and Fritz. Can't say there was a large difference, but I want to say the Fritz edged out as the winner. However, I already had the pickling salt leftover from my canning hobby (mostly just a phase,) so I try to stick with that since there are only small differences.

[Brandy]

Glad to see this thread, I've been using old aquarium salt someone gave me and baking soda, would rather have all in one with a finer crystal when I go to replace.

My only failures seem to be when I overheat the water to get the salt to dissolve and then pitch the eggs too soon--because I am too impatient! I always worry I will cook them by accident.

[Daniel]

I use the same salt @Streetwise uses. I don't think salt matters much for hatch rate (but I couldn't prove it). The reason I use I Instant Ocean Reef Crystals is because the hatching water goes into my aquariums along the baby brine shrimp, so I wanted a salt that contained more than just NaCl.

 

[MickS77]

I use the Solar Naturals salt for water softeners. I haven't tried anything else, eagerly waiting for the coop to release theirs. 

[MattyIce]

I use solar naturals rock salt,  tried with Fritz but didn't notice an improvement so I went back to the rock salt.

Though to note, my tap water is at 450ish TDS and around 7.5 ph, so it might just be I didn't need the extra minerals from the fritz salt.

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by MattyIce

[Jeff]

Fritz

[Struggle]

I’ve used table salt, canning salt and marine salt. I really haven’t noticed major differences between them but my current favorite is the marine salt.

[Hobbit]

I use Sea salt from the grocery store. 

@Brandy as a fellow science nerm I regret to inform you that the solubility of NaCl hardly increases with temperature. 😉 Heat might help the other minerals but it won’t help the salt dissolve.

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Sigma-Aldrich/Product_Information_Sheet/s7653pis.pdf

[Meow Aquatics]

Water softener salt. 40lb bag for less than $6. 

[Brandy]

12 minutes ago, Hobbit said:

I use Sea salt from the grocery store. 

@Brandy as a fellow science nerm I regret to inform you that the solubility of NaCl hardly increases with temperature. 😉 Heat might help the other minerals but it won’t help the salt dissolve.

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Sigma-Aldrich/Product_Information_Sheet/s7653pis.pdf

Haha, counting down with the microwave totally speeds it up too, doncha know?! Have I mentioned that I'm a touch impatient?

[David Ellsworth]

Same. I have a bucket of instant oceans reef crystals that I use to hatch out brine shrimp. I figure that water is better for my live bearers than something like rock salt. 

[Andy's Fish Den]

I use the instant ocean reef crystals, because I have it around for my saltwater tank. Although, I had got in on a group buy a couple years ago and bought a few buckets, but now that I only have one 20 gallon saltwater tank, I don't need as much, so when I'm through with the last bucket I'll probably switch to using the solar crystals water softener salt. and just buy a smaller package of reef crystals to mix saltwater with. 

[TheDukeAnumber1]

I also use either instant ocean or a random salt with some baking soda and seachem equilibrium mixed in.