Triops Tds, Tank Size And Filter?

I wanted to try some triops but didn't realize they were shrimp lol. Do I need to remineralize my water (TDS 40, gH 3, kH 0/1)? I have some salty shrimp gH+, but I'd prefer to save it for my bee shrimp. Also, does the tank need to be cycled before hand? I know inverts are sensitive to ammonia/nitrite, so I don't understand how they survive on a large scale toy market with most purchasers not knowing about the nitrogen cycle. Also, what is the best tank size? I don't want to use one from a kit because I'm sure it will be too small, but I'm also running out of tank room, lol. Would a long 1.5 gallon sterilite contianer work? It's 13 5/8×8 1/4×4 7/8. Hm, though I guess if they get an inch long and are territorial, it probably won't... what's the minimum floor space? Heating won't be a problem during the summer, but if some survive to winter/I restart the colony, will a small betta heater preset to 78 (it's really 76-77) work? I plan on using a small sponge filter powered by a tetra whisper 10 also. Also, if anyone has kit recommendations I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance!
Edit: do they require a filter, or just a bubbler? Would a bubbler be too much movement? Haha, I feel like I'm really overthinking this...

 

I got my triops eggs from . I used about half the packet and iirc, about 20-30 triops hatched. some hatched before the others did. I was overwhelmed lol. I initially got a ~triassic~ kit from toys r us but it was a dud, never hatched any triops, only a single fairy shrimp and some daphnia. loved that little fairy shrimp, though.

I used bottled spring water for mine, so the water was pretty hard. I had them in a 2.5g when they got big, only 5 max, and kept them in several smaller containers until they grew. they do get pretty big, and they mostly hang out on the bottom. they need sand substrate because they love to dig and lay their eggs. I didn't have a heater, so the temp was probably around 78 degrees.

I didn't know about the nitrogen cycle, so I did complete water changes every few days because the stagnant water (no filter) got dirty very quickly. they all reached their expected lifespan, which I think was 1 or 3 months?? bad memory. they are very fun to watch, especially during feeding time! they aren't hard to take care of either if you have a good setup. a sponge filter would be perfect.

i've been itching to do another batch but I can't find the packet of remaining eggs I have a 5.5g I'm no longer using that I think would be good for them.

mine never fought or tried to eat each other, btw. okay, wait. one triop got his tail tassles nipped off by a bigger triop, but that was the only aggression I ever saw from them.

 

I got my triops eggs from . I used about half the packet and iirc, about 20-30 triops hatched. some hatched before the others did. I was overwhelmed lol. I initially got a ~triassic~ kit from toys r us but it was a dud, never hatched any triops, only a single fairy shrimp and some daphnia. loved that little fairy shrimp, though.

I used bottled spring water for mine, so the water was pretty hard. I had them in a 2.5g when they got big, only 5 max, and kept them in several smaller containers until they grew. they do get pretty big, and they mostly hang out on the bottom. they need sand substrate because they love to dig and lay their eggs. I didn't have a heater, so the temp was probably around 78 degrees.

I didn't know about the nitrogen cycle, so I did complete water changes every few days because the stagnant water (no filter) got dirty very quickly. they all reached their expected lifespan, which I think was 1 or 3 months?? bad memory. they are very fun to watch, especially during feeding time! they aren't hard to take care of either if you have a good setup. a sponge filter would be perfect.

i've been itching to do another batch but I can't find the packet of remaining eggs I have a 5.5g I'm no longer using that I think would be good for them.

mine never fought or tried to eat each other, btw. okay, wait. one triop got his tail tassles nipped off by a bigger triop, but that was the only aggression I ever saw from them.

Awesome, thank you! I had read that 78° was too warm, that's great to know they can take the heat, lol. And thanks for the recommendation, I'll check that out. I did just see a 2.5 gallon at PetSmart, I may look into getting that, or at least something else that size. I might use it as a bit of an experienced, since I use eggshells and seashells to buffer up the gH and pH in my goldfish tank, I may try the same here. Good to know they like hard water, thank you for all the info!

 

honestly I didn't research them too much, you're doing a lot more than I did. but they never had any problems the way I did it. tank water was definitely 78 because it was late summer/early fall. I suppose if they only lasted a month (still can't remember), then the higher temp could have shortened their lifespan by two months. i'd research the water hardness more because I honestly don't know if they're as sensitive. I just used a critter carrier, it's cheap.

I have a lot of videos on my instagram of them being cute/weird but I don't think I can post them, so here are a few pictures instead!

 

Wow, those look amazing! I love the set up. And those are some incredible pictures, very nice!
Will they eat generic shrimp food? I have a few different types of shrimp food, cichlid flakes, goldfish pellets, and algae wafers, do you think they might like some of these options?

 

they will eat lots of different things. I think most kits/eggs come with a bit of "triop food" which are just pellets of some kind. shrimp pellets, nori, algae wafers (mine didn't care for them too much), spirulina, fish flakes, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis shrimp, cooked broccoli, carrots, zucchini, java moss, moss balls... they'll munch on just about anything.

thank you! please share pics when you get them

 

Great, thank you! I'm not planning to get them for probably two months unfortunately, just because I have a lot of stuff coming up and I want to be able to properly care for them. I'll definitely try and post pics when I get them. Hopefully they eat anacharis because I have it coming out of my ears, lol. And thank you for all the info!

 

They look very weird, I want some.

 

Very cool !
I found these a couple years ago and almost got them.
I will be following as I still have interest ,just not room right now..

 

I have sand that has finally dried out from the last batch of Triops. I'm going to do a run through, to estimate how many eggs are in the sand. I use spring water to hatch, then I move to dechlorinated tap water. They can thrive in some of the most terrible habitats, so they don't really require a lot of extra attention. I do a water change when the water gets a bit murky. They are so interesting to watch.

 

I have sand that has finally dried out from the last batch of Triops. I'm going to do a run through, to estimate how many eggs are in the sand. I use spring water to hatch, then I move to dechlorinated tap water. They can thrive in some of the most terrible habitats, so they don't really require a lot of extra attention. I do a water change when the water gets a bit murky. They are so interesting to watch.

Instead of using spring water to start, do you think I could just use my tap? It's extremely soft, and I read they hatch best in soft water, do you think TDS 30-40, gH 3, kH 0 is soft enough or not so much? Also, did you use a separate hatching container or did you just do water changes with the dechlorinated tap? Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions

 

I think it's recommended to use spring water to hatch. you could try dechlorinated tap. I also used a separate container to hatch and moved them once they were bigger.

 

Instead of using spring water to start, do you think I could just use my tap? It's extremely soft, and I read they hatch best in soft water, do you think TDS 30-40, gH 3, kH 0 is soft enough or not so much? Also, did you use a separate hatching container or did you just do water changes with the dechlorinated tap? Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions

No problem at all. After reading many people's experiences, using tap water is hit or miss. Spring water or distilled water, is usually recommended. I do use a separate hatching container, but you don't want to do any water changes on your hatching container. Once you move them over, you can start doing water changes as needed

You want your hatching container to be small so that your Triops can find their food easily. When they are about a quarter of an inch, I move them over to whatever container I'm going to use to grow them out. You really don't have to do anything special for them, and they will still thrive and lay lots and lots of eggs.

 

Hey, so I know this thread is old and all, but I'm close to getting some...
I'm going to be using them for a study, still debating exactly what, possibly a study of their cannibalistic nature. Does anyone know which species displays this behavior the most? I'll be using 2 10 gallons instead of just the 5 I was planning, so that will be cool

 

not sure which species is best for that. I never saw any of my triops eating each other, but they were well fed and I only kept a few together. darn, I really wish I could find those triops eggs I saved....

 

not sure which species is best for that. I never saw any of my triops eating each other, but they were well fed and I only kept a few together. darn, I really wish I could find those triops eggs I saved....

Aw, that's a shame. I hope you find them! Which type did you have?
I'm planning on testing them with varying food levels, stocking levels, varying lighting, and a few other things.

 

Aw, that's a shame. I hope you find them! Which type did you have?
I'm planning on testing them with varying food levels, stocking levels, varying lighting, and a few other things.

I got them from here, so I guess playa triops! Tadpole Shrimp (Triops)

that will be fun!

 

I got them from here, so I guess playa triops! Tadpole Shrimp (Triops)

that will be fun!

Have you tried their fairy shrimp (or any of the other types)?

 

I got them from here, so I guess playa triops! Tadpole Shrimp (Triops)

that will be fun!

Thanks! I forgot you already gave me this, lol. How does shipping work? I'm having trouble finding info, about how long does it take?
I'm planning on raising some as a trial, and trying to get more eggs, then start trials with gen 2

 

Have you tried their fairy shrimp (or any of the other types)?

I haven't, but it would be cool. my triops eggs were very good quality.

Thanks! I forgot you already gave me this, lol. How does shipping work? I'm having trouble finding info, about how long does it take?
I'm planning on raising some as a trial, and trying to get more eggs, then start trials with gen 2

I found the email! it was sent via first class usps. it didn't take long. this was back in 2014 though and my memory's not that great.

 

I haven't, but it would be cool. my triops eggs were very good quality.



I found the email! it was sent via first class usps. it didn't take long. this was back in 2014 though and my memory's not that great.

View attachment 467867

Thanks so much! Out of curiosity, how many did you have hatch? I'm trying to get at least 20 by October/November, do you think they'll reproduce fast enough? I see it says about 30% hatch rate, so around 12?

 

Thanks so much! Out of curiosity, how many did you have hatch? I'm trying to get at least 20 by October/November, do you think they'll reproduce fast enough? I see it says about 30% hatch rate, so around 12?

I think I only put half the packet in. only a few hatched at first, then there was a sudden hatching explosion a little later with 18 of them.

 

I think I only put half the packet in. only a few hatched at first, then there was a sudden hatching explosion a little later with 18 of them.

Thanks! Guess I know where I'm getting them from, lol

 

Thanks! Guess I know where I'm getting them from, lol

I actually had to get rid of most of them by dumping them in a pond... shhh.... don't tell anyone!!!!! I doubt they survived lol. probably made a nice snack for the minnows. if one or two did make it to adulthood and happened to lay eggs, I don't think the conditions would be right for them to hatch.

or maybe I just introduced an invasive species to the pond and now it's teeming with triops. idk.

sheryl / ellie on Instagram: “there are about 15 triop hatchlings in here i'm gonna cry where am I gonna put them all when they grow up??? does anyone want some triops”
sheryl / ellie on Instagram: “the next day.. the hatchlings are getting bigger... orz pls ignore me mum”

 

That's hilarious!
I think I've decided to get some fairy shrimp too, my backup plan is studying how close system ecosystems affect behavior and how planted tanks affect behavior/infusoria, and I think fairy shrimp would fare better....
Also it's an excuse to get some, lol

 

I think imma get some, too, lol.

 

I think imma get some, too, lol.

I double dog dare you

 

I double dog dare you

I will!

 

I kept my single fairy shrimp with my triops. they left it alone until it died from old age. you'll probably have some daphnia or other tiny stuff hatch too.

y'all need to share pics when this happens!

 

I kept my single fairy shrimp with my triops. they left it alone until it died from old age. you'll probably have some daphnia or other tiny stuff hatch too.

y'all need to share pics when this happens!

I will. I have plenty of green water, so this should be good, at least for the daphnia. Hopefully I do get them.

 

Ommg! The memories of this! I bought a toy kit of them and it was fun watching them. Wished I saw this thread earlier.

 

I have grown both T.Longicaudatus and T.Cancriformis. If you are wanting as many to grow to adulthood, keep them well-fed. With both of these, I never did a water change until the water was nasty. They seem to grow best when they are neglected.

 

I have grown both T.Longicaudatus and T.Cancriformis. If you are wanting as many to grow to adulthood, keep them well-fed. With both of these, I never did a water change until the water was nasty. They seem to grow best when they are neglected.

Thanks! Out of curiosity, did you find one species to be more cannibalistic than the other?

 

Thanks! Out of curiosity, did you find one species to be more cannibalistic than the other?

T.Cancs have always been more cannibalistic in my experience. I think it's because they grow larger than any other triop and they live longer than any other triop. It has always been my experience that as soon as a T.Canc gets a taste for other triop "flesh," they'll go after their tank mates over any other food you add to their tank.

 

T.Cancs have always been more cannibalistic in my experience. I think it's because they grow larger than any other triop and they live longer than any other triop. It has always been my experience that as soon as a T.Canc gets a taste for other triop "flesh," they'll go after their tank mates over any other food you add to their tank.

Thanks! Do you know a source for them? The Arizona gardens doesn't state a species, but the pictures look more like T.Longicaudatus. I see the Trioptica giant triops look like Cancs, but I don't know how much I trust them.

 

Thanks! Do you know a source for them? The Arizona gardens doesn't state a species, but the pictures look more like T.Longicaudatus. I see the Trioptica giant triops look like Cancs, but I don't know how much I trust them.

T.Longs can be found easily. The Trioptica giants actually turned out to be T.Longs for me. I have bought T.Cancs from Dadasis on Ebay and have always gotten exactly what I ordered. I believe he sells Triops and Fairy Shrimp.

 

T.Longs can be found easily. The Trioptica giants actually turned out to be T.Longs for me. I have bought T.Cancs from Dadasis on Ebay and have always gotten exactly what I ordered. I believe he sells Triops and Fairy Shrimp.

Thanks, I'll check that out!

 

I’ve also had good dealings with dadasis on eBay




I’ve ordered fairy & clam shrimp from him in the past

 

I’ve also had good dealings with dadasis on eBay




I’ve ordered fairy & clam shrimp from him in the past

Great, thanks!

 

As cool as arizona fairy shrimp looked, they don't separate their triops species, and since I'm trying to be scientific, I went with Dadasis and ordered some T. Newberryi, shipping is long estimated delivery is next Friday
I did get a spare 10 gallon during the Petco sale, and I have some leftover sand from my goldfish tank, so that'll be the equipment I guess. How do they do with plants? I'm thinking of adding some Pennywort.
I'm just going to try and raise some for now, sort of a trial. My new goldfish is in another 10 gallon while she's healing, probably for the next month or so, so gives me some time to practice.