Aquarist who feed baby brine shrimp have devised several methods of separating the freshly hatched BBS  from their hatching medium. All of these methods involve some type of straining. The three most frequently used strainers are permanent basket type coffee filters, paper basket style coffee filters and of course BBS nets. Those breeders who need large quantities of BBS need larger and faster strainers to prepare BBS for feeding. Most Angelfish Micro Hatchery owners and hobbyist only need to strain a relatively small amount of baby brine shrimp when compared to those who have large fish rooms. Hobbyist often find a smaller and slower sieve more efficient. We don't recommend using BBS nets.

Here at the AMH we focus on the small hobbyist/breeder who needs far less BBS than a large breeder. On this page we feature pictures of two popular versions of BBS sieves. Which one is best for you will be determined by your needs. The BBS strainer or sieve suggested for AMH owners is explained on this page in detail. It is comprised of parts easily accessible to most hobbyist locally. Our disposable BBS Sieve is sanitary and easy to use with smaller batches of BBS.

	The d isposable BBS sieve pictured here can be made by simply using a small specimen container, an old fish net with the handle shortened for better balance and a paper coffee filter. Set the fish net on top of the specimen container.  Insert the paper filter into the fish net.
	Pictured here is a paper coffee filter, a fish net with the handle shortened and a specimen container.
	Paper basket type coffee filters are inexpensive and disposable. They can be obtain easily at any grocery store. Water drains slowly through these filters and allow excellent control when rinsing BBS.
	Any BBS trapped in the folds of the filter may be released by turning it inside out and submersing it in a storage container or directly into a tank.  This reduces waste and allows us to get the most benefit from every batch of BBS hatched.
	An advantage in using paper coffee filters in a brine shrimp sieve is that it also provides an easy means to strain and dispose of empty cyst. Simply filter BBS cyst floating on top  of the hatching media in your hatchery through the BBS sieve to collect the cyst. Gather the filter and remove the cyst in it  for easy disposal.  All for less than a cent a day.
	Old fish nets can be recycled and used as a frame to hold paper basket type coffee filters. We recommend shortening the handle for better balance and convenience. Deeper nets hold the paper filter best.
	Small specimen cups which are sold in most local pet stores provide the base for our BBS sieve. These inexpensive clear containers can be set on a flat surface or hung on the side of a tank, trash can or bucket. The specimen cup acts as a reservoir for filtered hatching media and also allow visual inspection of the hatching media.

	Pictured here is a paper coffee filter, a fish net with the handle shortened and a specimen container.
	Place the paper basket type coffee filter inside of the fish net with the shortened handle. The fish net acts a a frame to hold the paper filter.
	Place the fish net holding the paper filter on top of the specimen cup. This is a picture of an assembled AMH recommended Disposable BBS Sieve.

	Pictured here is a permanent basket coffee filter. It is very popular with aquarist who must prepare larger amounts of BBS. These coffee filters are sold in most grocery stores.
	Breeders often seat these BBS sieves on the rim of a large yogurt container.  It acts as a reservoir for filtered hatching media and for rinsing. Pictured here is a BBS sieve.
	This is another BBS Sieve.

We have created a gallery of images of Brine Shrimp hatcheries from pictures that have been submitted or collected by us from all over the internet. You will see many examples of BBS hatcheries including popular versions sold in local pet stores in actual use.  Click on the links below to view our introduction to Baby Brine Shrimp, the AMH Gallery of BBS Hatcheries or continue on to the next section of the AMH BBS Hatching Guide by clicking on the links above.