how to start microworm culture w/o culture starter

[danny]

hey guys..thought that someone might be interested. ;D
i have cultured microworms before without ever buying any culture starter.i get them myselves. ;D
i got the idea here: animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/information/common_foods.htm#Microworms

just like what the site says,i just bore a hole in a potato,bury it in our backyard for 1 week.after a week the potato may seem intact,but it's inside should be all liquid,and it may stink.lol
although it's effective,i always have problems with fungi.they always infest the culture causing it to really really stink!

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Very interesting...in the Betta club that I am in we share starter cultures. Usually someones culture will die and who ever has one going will offer a new starter.

That is a cool way to get a free one though

[danny]

wow!..sharing would be soo better..culture starter are not available here(as usual)..uhmm,how do you deal with fungi infestation?

[Carl]

The best way to prevent a fungus infection (likely Saprolegnia) is prevention, such as a quick dip in Methylene Blue, or better Potassium Permanganate of infected cultures prior to feeding. Use of salt or Pimafix may help as well for prevention.

UV Sterilization can help as well.

See: Columnaris/Fungus

Carl