OPAE ULA ECOSYSTEM CARE

OH MY OPAE Ecosystem

A Balanced Ecosystem will consist of a Producer (Green Algae), a Consumer (Opae ula - Halocaridina Rubra) and the Decomposers (Fungi and Bacteria) and other factors such as, nonliving, or abiotic, component, consisting of dead organic matter and nutrients in the water.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!

Once the contents (Materials and Opae‘ula) are combined, your Habitat will immediately start its Balancing of the Ecosystem. This is the most IMPORTANT phase for your Environment to succeed. Area Temperature of the location you choose to place your Habitat, must not exceed <65°F or >85°F. Balancing will not immediately be visible, but when you see the Opae‘ula feeding off the rocks or glass, then that is a good sign that their food process is successful. This process can take from 1 to 2 weeks, if not sooner. You can now consider your New Habitat as STABLE.

Also, the KITCHEN and BATHROOM is NOT a suggested location due to fluctuating temperatures caused by the; dishwasher, stove, oven and hot water steam.

OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE:

65°F - 85°F: SAFE GRADUAL TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION IS WITHIN

10° - 15° FOR A HEALTHY AND STABLE OPAE ULA ECOSYSTEM. TO REGULATE A COOLER TEMPERATURE, USE A FAN BLOWING DIRECTLY ON THE HABITAT OR COVER WITH A TOWEL OR ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP INSULATE OR REFLECT HEAT, UNTIL TEMPERATURE COOLS. EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES CAN ALSO BE TREATED WITH THE SAME COVERING PROCESS. THEY NATURALLY LIVE IN DARK SUBTERRANEAN CONDITIONS.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR LOCATION & LIGHTING:

IN-DIRECT SUNLIGHT (NORTH OR SOUTH WINDOW - depending on your location)
FLUORESCENT LIGHT (8-12 HRS. DAILY)
IF OH MY OPAE'S "LIGHT FEATURE" IS USED, MINIMIZE HOURS OF USAGE TO ALLOW AT LEAST 10 TO 12 HOURS A DAY OF DARKNESS. THIS SEEMS TO HELP THE OPAE ULA WITH BREEDING.
DO NOT PLACE IN KITCHEN, ON TV, REFRIGERATOR, NEAR DISHWASHER, STOVE/OVEN, OR ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE AND EQUIPMENT.
DO NOT PLACE IN DRAFTY AREA WITH CHANGING TEMPERATURES
DO NOT SHAKE, VIBRATE OR PLAY LOUD MUSIC CLOSE TO OPAE ULA

ECOSYSTEM BALANCING PERIOD:

ENVIRONMENT'S INNER GLASS/WATER MIGHT GET CLOUDY, THIS IS NORMAL AND AFTER TIME IT WILL CLEAR AND CORRECT ITSELF. DURING THIS STAGE OF TRANSITION AND BALANCE, SOMETIMES THE OPAE ULA WILL APPEAR SHY. A BALANCED ECOSYSTEM CAN TAKE UP TO 1-2 WEEKS. LATER, YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE THEM SWIM AROUND MORE ... SO, DON'T WORRY IF THEY ARE ALIVE!

IF TOO MUCH ALGAE GROWS, REDUCE THE LIGHT SOURCE OR EXPOSURE BY MOVING OR COVERING THE ENVIRONMENT TILL THE ALGAE LESSENS. DO NOT KEEP IN TOTAL DARKNESS FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEK.

FEEDING:

NOT REQUIRED, BUT ONLY USE OH MY OPAE'S OPAE ULA"FEED PACK" FOOD AND THE AMOUNT INDICATOR FEEDER STICK (DO NOT EXCEED 3X'S A WEEK FEEDING). CORRECT AMOUNT OF FOOD IS USUALLY CONSUMED IN AN HOUR. ALSO, DURING THE TRANSITION STAGE (REFER TO THE PREVIOUS "INDOOR/OUTDOOR LOCATION & LIGHTING" SECTION), USUALLY THEY WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY START TO TOP-FEED, SO BE PATIENT. ALSO NOTICED, THAT IF THE AFOREMENTIONED FEEDING DIRECTION IS FOLLOWED, MOLTING HAPPENS MORE FREQUENT WHICH CAN RESULT TO AN INCREASE OF REPRODUCTION.

WATER REPLACEMENT:

ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER TO REPLACE EVAPORATION. IF SALT ACCUMULATES AROUND THE OUTER RIM, REPLACE IT BACK INTO THE

OPAE ULA ENVIRONMENT. (ALWAYS USE CLEAN HANDS WHEN OPENING HABITAT TO PREVENT WATER CHEMISTRY CHANGES FROM BODY OILS)

CLEANING:

NOT NECESSARY, BUT IF EXCESSIVE ALGAE APPEARS, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO CLEAN THE INNER GLASS, ONLY USE CLEAN COTTON SWABS. REMEMBER, GREEN ALGAE IS THE OPAE ULA'S FOOD AND THEY LOVE TO EAT.

MOLTING:

OPAE ULA DO SHED THEIR EXOSKELETON WHICH WILL APPEAR CLEAR AND FLOATING. THIS IS ALSO AN INDICATOR THAT THEY ARE GROWING AND ARE ENTERING THEIR REPRODUCTIVE STAGE (SEE BELOW "‘OPAE ULA'S LIFE CYCLE" DIAGRAM).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

60°F to 88°F (extreme limits)
7.5 to 8.5 pH
(NO2) range 0.1 to 0.2 mg N/liter
(NH3 + NH4) range 0.25 to 1.25
(dGH) range 5 to 15
(specific gravity) 1.008 to 1.016 recommended - (max. 1.023)

PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE

OPAE ULA ENVIRONMENT UNLESS SUPPLIED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR

OH MY OPAE.

OPAE‘ULA INFORMATION

ANCHIALINE POOLS/PONDS

(OPAE ULA'S NATURAL HABIT)

Anchialine Pools/Ponds are found along coastal lava flows that exhibit tidal fluctuations mixed with the subterranean fresh water and does not have a surface connection with the ocean. In Hawai‘i, they were frequently excavated or otherwise modified by Hawaiians to serve as sources of drinking water, baths and fish ponds. In the United States, Hawai‘i is the only place that you will find Anchialine Pools/Ponds.

"Anchialine Pools are among the most threatened ecosystems in Hawai‘i. About 90% have already been destroyed. Destruction and alteration of anchialine pools as a result of coastal resort developments have been the most visible impact followed by the introduction of alien fish and other non-indigenous species. Water contaminants and excess nutrients are also ongoing concerns."