After a guy posted a video sharing the ‘world’s largest Sea-Monkey colony’ online, viewers were all up in his comments wanting to know how he did it.
I mean, he’s got multiple aquariums, the largest of which is 16 gallons and contains ‘thousands’ of Sea-Monkeys, and he holds the world record for the largest Sea-Monkey colony in an aquarium.
So if you want to learn how to create a huge collection, he’s the guy to ask.
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Known as Sea-Monkey Dude – real name Jonathan Hicks – on YouTube, the man regularly updates his followers on how he cleans the tanks, feeds the pets and even what happens to them after they die.
But now, he’s sharing his secrets to building your own giant Sea-Monkey tank and how to be successful at it.
The Sea-Monkeys, also known as simple brine shrimp, came into popularity in the 60s and 70s after US entrepreneur, Harold von Braunhut came up with the idea to sell them as eggs in little packets.
Now, they’re a household name.
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Sea Monkey Dude has thousands of the creatures. (Sea Monkey Dude)
So, to start off, the Dude explains that you need to be using the new Sea-Monkey brand sachets and not a ‘vintage’ pack you’ve bought second-hand.
He said the way to find this out is that new packs will have ‘MADE IN THE U.S.A.’ written at the top.
Then, it’s all about the temperature of the bottled water you use (never use tap water).
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Don’t go switching on the tap and expect them to live, you need to get bottled water and keep them warm between ‘68 – 80 degrees F’ (20-26.6℃).
The Dude keeps his at 79F or 26.1℃ for you and me.
Next, you need to ‘aerate the tank frequently’ with a ‘pipette or Million Bubble air pump’, or even an electric air pump.
Feeding your little fossil-like pets is very important too, as he admits that ‘overfeeding is a common thing and can kill a whole colony…I’ve done it’.
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So, read your instructions and make sure you understand what it means.
As your pets age, you’ll start to notice their digestive track, which is a dark line if they are well-fed.
Now, cleaning the tank might put you off because where the hell would you put the shrimp?
He has strict rules to follow to make it successful. (Sea Monkey Dude)
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But you don’t need to wipe away the algae.
The Dude states that adult Sea-Monkeys will eat it, which in turn helps to aerate the tank.
Then, as you watch your swimmers, you might notice the water level drops as it evaporates.
Just a weekly top up of room temperature bottled water is fine to add in, and don’t bother adding any more of the salt that the instructions list.
Other things you need to know includes letting your pets fight it out, be careful if using gravel and fake plants as it can trap them, and always read the instructions thoroughly.
If you’re buying a kit, follow the directions and it’ll be fine, but if you DIY it with your own aquarium, ‘always use Sea-Monkey brand packets #1 and #2 as a pair’ as they ‘contain salt and eggs that are essential for the environment’.
Another thing – don’t use filters unless you want to suck up all of your little new friends.
Finally, be patient and wait for the magic to happen, and if you have any questions, just ask the internet or pet shop.
You’ll get the results you want soon enough if you follow his advice.
Featured Image Credit: Sea Monkey Dude
Topics: Animals, Weird, News, Nostalgia
