Grindal Worm Culturing

5137 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by DaveP1982, Mar 10, 2014

mistuhmarc

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2014

Wasn't exactly sure what category this would go under, but I was wondering what experiences have you guys gotten with culturing grindal worms? I'm currently culturing micro worms for my scarlet badis, but I wanted a bigger live food for my fish such as my apistos. Would grindal worms do well? I'm also hoping they'll induce some breeding as well.

What works best with grindal worms? Any easier tricks to keeping them? What type of container would you put them in?

Thanks for any advice that you guys can give me

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auban

· #2 · Mar 3, 2014

i like to keep them in large bins, like the pink and blue one in this pic:

to feed them, i take a handful of dog food and mixed it into the potting soil in the tub. yep, i use regular old potting soil. i also mix in some regular red wrigglers.
i place a couple pieces of glass on the top. the worms just naturally collect on it. in this pic, i over fed them a little bit, but you get the idea.

this is a good example of the number of earthworms in it. they mixed pretty well, the earthworms kept the soil from getting too compacted.

here is a good example of what the soil looked like through out. basically, there were enough worms to feed several teaspoons of worms off each day.

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Monster Fish

· #3 · Mar 3, 2014

I've been using this method for a while now: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3692457

Nice setup Auban. Do you ever have a problem with mites or other pests? Also, how often do you replace the substrate?

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garfieldnfish

· #4 · Mar 3, 2014

I use plastic containers with holes put into the lid. Moist coir for a medium and dry cat food. The grindal worms climb up he side of the containers and onto the underside of the lid. I feed the fish by rinsing the lid off in their tank. There are usually enough worms on the lid. This way the wet lid also keeps the culture moist. I feed the worms once a week with dry cat food.

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auban

· #5 · Mar 3, 2014

Monster Fish said:
I've been using this method for a while now: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3692457

Nice setup Auban. Do you ever have a problem with mites or other pests? Also, how often do you replace the substrate?

while i do have mites, i never really worry about them. they dont seem to affect the culture, so no worries.

so far as replacing the substrate, i basically just cut it in half and add new potting soil. whenever it seems to get too... "boggy" for lack of better word, i just remove half, mix in new soil, and use the old stuff in a flower bed, worms and all.

it takes a couple weeks for it to get back up to speed, but with two going at once it isnt really a problem. one of the bins produces plenty to feed all my fish.

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mistuhmarc

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 4, 2014

I read the soil-less method found in the url, I'm thinking of going soil-less since it sounds like it does pretty well. How's that method working for you MonsterFish?

The soil method looks great though auban. I bet your fish love you for all that food.

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Monster Fish

· #7 · Mar 4, 2014

It's doing pretty well. With the soil-less method you should completely change the water every other day or so. It doesn't take to long for the worms to find the food and you don't have to worry about mites. It's good if you don't have too many tanks to feed. Just don't overfeed and don't forget to change the water often.

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mistuhmarc

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 4, 2014

Monster Fish said:
It's doing pretty well. With the soil-less method you should completely change the water every other day or so. It doesn't take to long for the worms to find the food and you don't have to worry about mites. It's good if you don't have too many tanks to feed. Just don't overfeed and don't forget to change the water often.

Sounds good, and what about the media that the worms will be in? Do I have to change it at all?

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Imaginary1226

· #9 · Mar 4, 2014

I used magic worm bedding for my grindals, I fed them dry cat food also, put a lid on the top. Sprayed it with water everyday. I also had white worms, I hear they are better. I think I fed them cherios, same bedding though but they like to be cold.

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DaveP1982

· #10 · Mar 10, 2014 (Edited)

I just use a simple set up - plastic box with holes in lid, potting soil, i feed a dog biscuit about once a week just moisten it and push it into the soil. I just leave a square of the plastic from a cigarette packet on top of the soil and everyday it is covered with worms and I just dip it into the tank, no rinsing.

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