White Worm Culture Show Off

[Susan Edwards]

I found a small wine cooler for 100 bucks but might try that fridge first to save money

 

[Tathamet]

I found a small wine cooler for 100 bucks but might try that fridge first to save money

yeah you might as well give it a try. I don’t think they’ll die at that temp at least. An inkbird on the normal fridge isn’t a bad idea either.

in the meantime keep checking kijiji or Facebook marketplace or something for the wine coolers. I find people tend to hate these things and practically give them away sometimes lol. Got my first one for free which we turned into an incubator for our Snake eggs. Ended up getting a second larger one for $50 and that’s what I keep the worms in now. This was around 10 years ago though haha.

 

[Susan Edwards]

got my worms today. Too tired after a long day to try to separate dirt and worms, esp. as it was a good size bag so split what I got into 2 containers and added some greek yogurt. Containers have 1 vent hole in top so hope that works. They are in garage fridge so we'll see how they do.

 

[Miami Reef]

got my worms today. Too tired after a long day to try to separate dirt and worms, esp. as it was a good size bag so split what I got into 2 containers and added some greek yogurt. Containers have 1 vent hole in top so hope that works. They are in garage fridge so we'll see how they do.

Good luck! Try to get temps a bit higher than the fridge for the future.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Good luck! Try to get temps a bit higher than the fridge for the future.

If it doesn't work, I'll have to get a wine cooler. Wonder if I could just leave the door slightly open? But that would cost a lot more to run as the garage gets hot.

 

[Miami Reef]

If it doesn't work, I'll have to get a wine cooler. Wonder if I could just leave the door slightly open? But that would cost a lot more to run as the garage gets hot.

Do you have somewhere that reaches around 70F in your house? You can try putting one there and the other in the fridge.

Yesterday I put a small amount of whiteworms in the fridge and they completely went to “sleep”. As soon as I took them out and it got warmer they started wiggling. The worms will not reproduce nor eat well in the fridge.

50F-68F is ideal according to this care sheet: https://cflas.org/2014/07/19/white-worm-care-sheet/

 

[Susan Edwards]

Do you have somewhere that reaches around 70F in your house? You can try putting one there and the other in the fridge.

Yesterday I put a small amount of whiteworms in the fridge and they completely went to “sleep”. As soon as I took them out and it got warmer they started wiggling. The worms will not reproduce nor eat well in the fridge.

50F-68F is ideal according to this care sheet: https://cflas.org/2014/07/19/white-worm-care-sheet/

I live in central ca. House is always over 70. Even at night with doors open it is 70-74. They are at 50 right now. Prob. have to get a wine cooler... I'll check them after work today

 

[Miami Reef]

I live in central ca. House is always over 70. Even at night with doors open it is 70-74. They are at 50 right now. Prob. have to get a wine cooler... I'll check them after work today

I thought refrigerators were kept at 40F? If it’s at 50F I would give it a try and see how quick they grow for you.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I thought refrigerators were kept at 40F? If it’s at 50F I would give it a try and see how quick they grow for you.

Normally yes but you can adjust most. This little cube which is ages old, is almost turned off and the warmest it goes if 50. I'll give it a go and hope it is not too cold.

 

[clhardy5]

I just watched a video on HumbleFish's site with Paul B - who feeds white worms. He keeps his in a plug in cooler. Those are almost expensive as a small wine cooler....but he also mentions that you could use ANY cooler and one of those ice packs - and just trade it out every couple of days. When my batch gets here....I may try the ice pack thing and see if it works.

 

[Falcar]

The yogurt has been Working well for my worms so far.

Whats the best way to harvest them for the fish?

 

[Miami Reef]

The yogurt has been Working well for my worms so far.

Whats the best way to harvest them for the fish?

The worms will bundle up over each other. I use a plastic fork/spoon to scoop them up and dip the spoon in the tank.

Once your culture gets slightly more mature you will see this bundling up effect.

 

[Falcar]

The worms will bundle up over each other. I use a plastic fork/spoon to scoop them up and dip the spoon in the tank.

Once your culture gets slightly more mature you will see this bundling up effect.

Ah cool. I have noticed this from time to time !

 

[atomos]

awesome! loved culturing white worms for my discus back in the days

 

[Miami Reef]

Here are my 3 cultures:

Note: I recently transferred them to a new container with soil + I feed a lot of fish in my display + quarantine tanks at least twice a day!

I find 3 containers are more than enough for my needs, but I always the option scale up as needed.

What I’m trying to say is that white worms are an extremely sustainable and very healthy food source. It contains living probiotics and I can feed the pickiest of fish with it! I’m never worried that I will run out since it reproduces faster than I can feed.

Here’s the exact yogurt I use:

 

[rmorris_14]

Here are my 3 cultures:

Note: I recently transferred them to a new container with soil + I feed a lot of fish in my display + quarantine tanks at least twice a day!

I find 3 containers are more than enough for my needs, but I always the option scale up as needed.

What I’m trying to say is that white worms are an extremely sustainable and very healthy food source. It contains living probiotics and I can feed the pickiest of fish with it! I’m never worried that I will run out since it reproduces faster than I can feed.

Here’s the exact yogurt I use:

Is there a specific reasons for “low fat”? sorry if you have already answered this previously

 

[Falcar]

How much and how often do you feed them? Once in a while the yogurt doesn’t all get eaten and gets nasty.
Also if I’m taking a week vacation is it enough to feed and leave them for the week?
thanks again!

 

[Miami Reef]

Is there a specific reasons for “low fat”? sorry if you have already answered this previously

It’s just whatever I eat, but I use whole fat if the other one is out of stock with the same results.

How much and how often do you feed them? Once in a while the yogurt doesn’t all get eaten and gets nasty.
Also if I’m taking a week vacation is it enough to feed and leave them for the week?
thanks again!

Change the yogurt after 3 days for best results. Changing is easy, open the worm container and the worms will bury into the dirt, leaving the yogurt free. It usually gets a little firm, so removing it is easy.

I think the worms will be fine with a week without fresh yogurt, but you can leave some bread just in case.

 

[Susan Edwards]

how often do you need to change the dirt to fresh, and the best way of doing so. I've had my culture going at least a month. Maybe 6 weeks.

 

[lestat45559]

question nutritionally speaking if the Greek enough for reef fish?