Black worms

PEMfish · 01-19-2008, 07:27 PM

I've always tried to keep a culture of them for my Peacock eel. They die off or stop reproducing every few months. So now I'm going to up grade from my 15oz container to a empty cat litter jug. It measures 6"x8" and with top cut off it'll be 10" high. I will use and old AC HOB! Yes, and when this works out I'll move up to a squareish bucket. It will live in my basement. Its recommended to keep them in the fridge but alot of people don't. Right now There in the entry way, it hangs at 55-45*f. But I'll need a outlet, and its too hot in the summer. I know this is really deep for them, oh well. It'll hold 1.9g.

PEMfish · 01-19-2008, 07:37 PM

I saw one in basement, 10.5h x 10 x 13 so... 5g. Has a side straight enough for the HOB. Said to cost $5. Perfect. I might find something better. If not this will be good. ( I hope they still sell them ). I plan on buying one scoop ( $1.50 ) and just feed and keep clean till they are ready to harvest. Until then, the small one will due. Dose anyone know how long they take to multiply?
If fast, please get on the list. lol

PEMfish · 01-19-2008, 07:40 PM

Hmmm, If went up to a rubbermaid I could supply LFSs. Get some $ back. Watch, I'll have a 240g sapphire full of worms and still a 10g reef. lol

ReefGuy69 · 01-19-2008, 08:05 PM

Ha ha ha wouldnt that be funny. But at least youll be bringing in some dough to upgrade your 10 gal reef.

PEMfish · 01-20-2008, 01:27 PM

Well, if this set up sucks as much as I think it will, I won't wait till populated to move up.

PEMfish · 01-20-2008, 01:30 PM

In case you don't know, thats the infamous Zack.

PEMfish · 01-23-2008, 09:52 PM

I think I am providing much more optimal conditions in the grow-out tank I just set up. As of now I have no idea how long this will take - to get a good stock. If anyone is going to do this, you need flow. They will crawl out if not knocked down by the flow. They also hate flow, there is a butter zone you must find it fir your tank.

btw; I see a that new bucket in the the near future...

vdituri · 01-23-2008, 09:56 PM

Paul,
What do you feed them?
Are they the same things I buy as blood worms?

Zack, nice to meet you. lol

PEMfish · 01-23-2008, 10:07 PM

Well, a home made food has been in use for a year. Only When I put a flake to start the cycle did I realize that was so much better. Homemade food was preferred before... now its NutraFin Max.

Its always nice to meet new people, I think we have got alot just recently.

PEMfish · 01-26-2008, 09:32 PM

I got a small plastic garbage can today at the dollar store. It is the same volume, little narrower and deepper, but the biggest difference is how its not flimsy.
You would not believe how much those worms eat If you give it to them! about 20 3/8th" flakes will last +/- 15 hours!

PEMfish · 02-03-2008, 04:31 PM

Ok, breeding has come.
I will get some peat, and boil it to hopefully make it safe. I don't think I can find aquarium peat locally. I will switch to spirulina flake also.

vdituri · 02-08-2008, 04:16 PM

Is the peat just someplace for them to live?

Are these what are sold commercially as blood worms?

Thanks in advance for the info.

PEMfish · 02-08-2008, 05:15 PM

No. These are very different than blood worms, witch are fly larvae. These are actually tubifex worms ( witch come from Cali ), real black worms are not available. Tubifex worms vary and are often confused with black worms.
Little is know about them, and I know even less. The peat simulates there natural environment. However, they are adaptable. They are abundant in Mexico's sewer system, and run off from Trout farms.

vdituri · 02-11-2008, 11:45 PM

Sewer?

Are they fresh water then?
Do you need to sanitize them somehow?

vdituri · 02-11-2008, 11:46 PM

P.S. - Where are the pics?

01-19-2008, 07:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Black worms I've always tried to keep a culture of them for my Peacock eel. They die off or stop reproducing every few months. So now I'm going to up grade from my 15oz container to a empty cat litter jug. It measures 6"x8" and with top cut off it'll be 10" high. I will use and old AC HOB! Yes, and when this works out I'll move up to a squareish bucket. It will live in my basement. Its recommended to keep them in the fridge but alot of people don't. Right now There in the entry way, it hangs at 55-45f. But I'll need a outlet, and its too hot in the summer. I know this is really deep for them, oh well. It'll hold 1.9g. __________________ Paul `EM* My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

01-19-2008, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms I saw one in basement, 10.5h x 10 x 13 so... 5g. Has a side straight enough for the HOB. Said to cost $5. Perfect. I might find something better. If not this will be good. ( I hope they still sell them ). I plan on buying one scoop ( $1.50 ) and just feed and keep clean till they are ready to harvest. Until then, the small one will due. Dose anyone know how long they take to multiply? If fast, please get on the list. lol __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

01-19-2008, 07:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms Hmmm, If went up to a rubbermaid I could supply LFSs. Get some $ back. Watch, I'll have a 240g sapphire full of worms and still a 10g reef. lol __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

01-19-2008, 08:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 746 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms Ha ha ha wouldnt that be funny. But at least youll be bringing in some dough to upgrade your 10 gal reef. __________________ Dennis ________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...journal-3.html 55gal AGA w/ built in overflow 15 gal acrylic DIY sump/fuge 75lbs Fiji Live Rock 45lbs of Live Sand 1-1/2inch (1) 96 watt Super Blue Actinic Power Compact (2) 96 Watt 10,000k Power Compacts (2) Ebo Jager 200 watt heaters Seaclone 150 Skimmer (2) Hagen 50's Power Heads for flow (1) Hagen 70 Return Pump DIY ATO system (5 Gal) Mini Aqua Lights for fuge (10k/Actinic03) TLF 150 Phosban Reactor 12X turnover rate 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, Neon Green Hairy Mushrooms, Red Zoanthus Polyps.

01-23-2008, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms I think I am providing much more optimal conditions in the grow-out tank I just set up. As of now I have no idea how long this will take - to get a good stock. If anyone is going to do this, you need flow. They will crawl out if not knocked down by the flow. They also hate flow, there is a butter zone you must find it fir your tank. btw; I see a that new bucket in the the near future... __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

01-23-2008, 10:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms Well, a home made food has been in use for a year. Only When I put a flake to start the cycle did I realize that was so much better. Homemade food was preferred before... now its NutraFin Max. Its always nice to meet new people, I think we have got alot just recently. __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

01-26-2008, 09:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms I got a small plastic garbage can today at the dollar store. It is the same volume, little narrower and deepper, but the biggest difference is how its not flimsy. You would not believe how much those worms eat If you give it to them! about 20 3/8th" flakes will last +/- 15 hours! __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

02-03-2008, 04:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms Ok, breeding has come. I will get some peat, and boil it to hopefully make it safe. I don't think I can find aquarium peat locally. I will switch to spirulina flake also. __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

02-08-2008, 05:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
PEMfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 1,634 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Black worms No. These are very different than blood worms, witch are fly larvae. These are actually tubifex worms ( witch come from Cali ), real black worms are not available. Tubifex worms vary and are often confused with black worms. Little is know about them, and I know even less. The peat simulates there natural environment. However, they are adaptable. They are abundant in Mexico's sewer system, and run off from Trout farms. __________________ Paul `EM My cichlid tank plans, or Piranhas...; See how it all came to be; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...g-catchup.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ets-ready.html Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes.

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