Triassic Triops

I didn’t expect too much after a failed Sea Monkey attempt, but these little guys are delightful! They double their size every few days so it’s really fun to see them grow. About 13 ended up hatching, but we did have some “disappear” as I understand is common with fellow tank mates. 6 have been thriving and getting larger, now we just have to figure out how to keep our tank clean! I highly recommend starting with a larger tank, the little bowl it comes with is tiny and not too sturdy.

Giving this product 4 stars because the triops grew, but I started out with 12 and ended with 4 because they kept randomly dying. Maybe a lot of them couldn’t get out of their exoskeleton? Because they were not being eaten by other Tripp’s, but it just seems like an awfully high percentage. However I am a little glad those 4 died after 12 days because they are SO DIRTY. They are dirtier than goldfish and produce a smell like no other even though I was doing daily 1/4 water changes. I guess it’s because they grow so fast they produce a lot of waste? Either way I am not getting triops again. They are cute in a way but too smelly.

I apologize as this may be quite extensive for a review. After 24 hours of waiting, there are several baby triops swimming about. I was apprehensive about purchasing these little creatures from reading the reviews but am happy that I decided to give them a try. For those that followed the directions to a "tee", that may have caused some of the issues. I have taken time to do my own research and will share what I did differently. Perhaps, the following will assist others in this venture. Hatching: On the directions it states to not use anything except spring water. I have used vapor distilled water. This is advice from different users that have successfully raised triops. I also have used a larger environment. Switching tanks does not only take time and extra care but can be stressful for human and triops alike.I placed a bit over a liter of water and let the water to sit overnight under a desk lamp to be sure that the temperature was at appropriate levels. I also placed the thermometer strip inside the "tank" being used away from the direct light to be sure of accuracy. Placing the strip on the outside will give an inaccurate reading. There are darker places away from the light that they can use as a rest area but seem quite content with the light. I always have the house at 75 degrees so I really don't need a water heater since the water temperature reads at 74. Food: I do not want to overdo the food but have seen several people that have supplemented the diet with carrot peices from day one. I have supplied a couple of beta food pebbles and they're gone so I guess the little ones liked them. It also kept the water clear so that's a plus. Carrots can discolor the water and get mushy.They will pretty much eat anything but don't give them too much. Breeding: I'm not sure if this part will work but the rest of the information is going well so this may, too. I am going to add more sand to their home so they can dig around and bury the eggs. So, after 48 hours they are still doing well and just thought this information may be helpful.

First I must say that I live in Seattle and ordered this product in March, when there is rarely sunshine and have weather of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I received this box in about 5 days, which was unexpected cause they told me they weren't sending it for 2 weeks. However, the box was damaged. Upon reading the directions I discovered it needed a constant temperature of about 75 degrees and a light on 24/7. My house runs on the chilly side, and the only spot for it was my bedroom which made sleep very difficult. After two days of constant light, constant monitoring of temperature, and horrible sleep I was very disappointed to find no triops had hatched. I have more eggs to try again, but not too optimistic about it right now.

I was really confident going into this. I am 24 years old, working full time and going to grad school part time, so I’m very busy. Still, there was an emptiness about me and I decided to fill it with love and devotion towards these seemingly wonderful and easy to grow triops. Now, the box says ages 8 and up and to “just add water”. I can do this, I thought. I am 6 times the minimum age and as a privileged American, have access to water. Lots of it, in fact. The seller was wonderful; I have no complaints there. I placed the order on a Tuesday and it came that Friday. My weekend was going to be full and exciting! Little did I know… The unboxing was thrilling! There is a small tank for hatching and a bigger tank for them to swim around once they’ve grown a bit. You get packets of limestones and rocks and food and tools like a pipette and magnifying class. Lucky Penny Shop on YouTube did a great review of this product and seeing his little triops swim around was the push I needed to get my own kit! Now, contrary to the box’s “Just Add Water” promise, the truth is far from it. You don’t “just add water”. No, you must add very specific water and then let it sit for FIVE hours. Now, I don’t know about 8 year olds, but I could barely contain myself. But I did it. I let that water sit and sit, and I put it near a window, and there was a lamp keeping it a cozy 74 degrees. “Just add water”! Ha! More like “Just add distilled water but not purified by distillation water and make sure it’s the right temperature”. Then, when it was time, I added the eggs and was shocked to learn that it would take 20 hours for them to hatch. TWENTY. If I were 8 years old, I’d be 9 by now! (Coincidentally, I started this kit a few days before my 24th, but I digress). After 20 hours, I checked, and checked, and hours after that I checked some more. Alas, no baby triops. I’m told that it may take days to hatch, as my mom so lovingly put it, both my sister and I came out later than expected and she was not happy about that either. Thanks, Mom. I’ll give it a few more days, but that is my review of the kit so far. It’s a lovely kit. Triops are supposed to be tough and have been around since the dinosaurs were still here, but I guess they couldn’t handle my love.