micro worms
- Thread starter gilly
- Start date
define micro worms are they the little white worms on the windows of tanks if so just have a uncleaned filtered tank and u have some pop up
I got given a culture of microworms. Once i had them it's pretty easy to culture them. You have to renew the culture every 4-5 weeks or so, other than that i usually add a few flakes of food to the culture every few days for food.
To set a culture up just mix some porridge oats with water untill you get quite a thick consistency, then add the worms. Store in a warm dark place.
This works for me, others will probably have other methods.
To set a culture up just mix some porridge oats with water untill you get quite a thick consistency, then add the worms. Store in a warm dark place.
This works for me, others will probably have other methods.
Micro Worms
First you will need a large container with easy access. I use an old ice-cream tub as it works best for me. The size isn't all that important, but larger containers do seem to keep longer.
When you find one that suites you go ahead and cover the bottom with oatmeal (1 centimeter is great). Oatmeal is cheap, easy and you can always throw more on if your culture gets too wet. Poor hot tap water over it. Start very light. The drier side is better, remember your not eating this stuff, your worms are. While your worms are eating they produce liquid excretions of alcohol. That's what you'll smell when your culture gets bigger. However, this liquid can also kill the worms. Hence the throwing more oatmeal on to suck up the juices.
Now that you have the container with worm food (you've let the temperature cool). Place the starter culture on top. Personally I lay it close to the side so i can witness the growth earlier. In a few days you will see a pale yellow marble texture on the walls. In the right lighting you will see the critters wiggling about. be sure to put the lid on because it's not a pretty picture when they get out. And it's even a better feeling when they've dried up.
About 1-2 times a month you will need to fix a new batch so be prepared. I keep two or three containers just so i can transfer my culture successfully from one container to the next. Always wait for the new culture to grow before you toss the old one. Remember though, only put a small amount of your old culture into the new one. the results will be new worms and new food. If there is mold in the new batch you have two choices. One is to start over again, the other is to let the worms take care of it. Either way works. Give it about a week and the worms will eat right through it.
First you will need a large container with easy access. I use an old ice-cream tub as it works best for me. The size isn't all that important, but larger containers do seem to keep longer.
When you find one that suites you go ahead and cover the bottom with oatmeal (1 centimeter is great). Oatmeal is cheap, easy and you can always throw more on if your culture gets too wet. Poor hot tap water over it. Start very light. The drier side is better, remember your not eating this stuff, your worms are. While your worms are eating they produce liquid excretions of alcohol. That's what you'll smell when your culture gets bigger. However, this liquid can also kill the worms. Hence the throwing more oatmeal on to suck up the juices.
Now that you have the container with worm food (you've let the temperature cool). Place the starter culture on top. Personally I lay it close to the side so i can witness the growth earlier. In a few days you will see a pale yellow marble texture on the walls. In the right lighting you will see the critters wiggling about. be sure to put the lid on because it's not a pretty picture when they get out. And it's even a better feeling when they've dried up.
About 1-2 times a month you will need to fix a new batch so be prepared. I keep two or three containers just so i can transfer my culture successfully from one container to the next. Always wait for the new culture to grow before you toss the old one. Remember though, only put a small amount of your old culture into the new one. the results will be new worms and new food. If there is mold in the new batch you have two choices. One is to start over again, the other is to let the worms take care of it. Either way works. Give it about a week and the worms will eat right through it.
The guys have steered you right with the classic culture method, you going to use them to feed fry? I like using an eye dropper, I put a drop or two of water on the worms at the edge of the tub and stir them a little with the eyedropper tip then suck them back up. this lets me deliver a small feeding right where I want them. If you overfeed with them don't be suprised if they establish a colony in your filter.
Microwworms are easy! one culture last about 2-3weeks then you just transfer some of that culture into another conatiner with more yeats and baby cereal, and they are ready to go again in under a week
I can give you some. Just send me a little bit for shipping and I'll send you some in a baggie ready to put into a tupperware and make a culture.
--Jimmy
--Jimmy