6 replies to this topic

[doubleatraining]

I have an extra 40g black plastic tub that I am thinking of making into a fish food/plant grower. I keep buying fish to raise that all want LIVE food. Since my overpopulation of Scuds in my 29g was decimated in a few days by my new killifish, I need more than a 3.5g culture of them. LOL

 

I also plan on setting up a Elassoma tank very soon, they prefer live food too.

 

My initial plan/thoughts:

• Dirt base/sand cap
• Lots of plants (Swords and stem plants)
• Plenty of floating plants
• Scuds, Blackworms, and maybe Daphnia or seed shrimp

 

I can either place it in full sun or partial sun. I'm currently shopping for a solar aerator/fountain to prevent mosquitoes laying in the tub.

 

I'm in NC so winters aren't too terrible. I can add a floating de-icer in the winter but really don't want to get into any heaters if I unless I have to.

 

Thoughts? Experience?

[Matt DeLaVega]

Daphnia seem to do best in monoculture.  Not to be done in an outdoor tub, but whiteworms and grindal worms are worth looking at.

[doubleatraining]

Daphnia seem to do best in monoculture.  Not to be done in an outdoor tub, but whiteworms and grindal worms are worth looking at.

I can leave the Daphnia and just go with the seed shrimp, scuds, and black worms. Maybe some cull red cherry shrimp?

 

I wouldn't mind letting the blackworms get established in some of my tanks.....just not sure I'll be able to keep a population going with how aggressive those killifish eat! I plan on adding scuds and blackworms to my Elassoma tank and letting the food get established before buying the fish.

 

Husband will NOT let me keep worms in the house. LOL I tried sneaking a container in but he has a super sniffer and found them within days.....they didn't even smell. LOL

[Matt DeLaVega]

Big fan of RCS. You can use them to feed anything from darters to sunfish. Breed like gangbusters.

[Matt DeLaVega]

I am sure you realize that if you go the RCS route, you are going to need to bring a core grouping of them indoors during the winter.

[doubleatraining]

I am sure you realize that if you go the RCS route, you are going to need to bring a core grouping of them indoors during the winter.

Yes, I can toss them in a 10g in the corner of my office for the winter. I doubt heating the tub outside would be cost efficient.

 

The other "critters" would need to be brought in too....right? Can they survive all winter with a floating de-icer?

[Matt DeLaVega]

I'd think Gammarus would be fine if there was leaf litter and it didn't freeze solid.