Q&A for How to Make Infusoria

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Can I use any plant instead of lettuce?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use almost any plant leaves that are not poisonous. For example, grass, tree leaves, and cucumber skin.

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Question

What's the other alternative of algae water?

Community Answer

You can buy Copepod cultures at your LFS or online. Almost the same process, but you'll want to maintain your culture with aged aquarium water (after a water change) or rain water. Put the container you chose to use under direct light for 48-72 hours for bacteria and phytoplankton to grow for copepods to eat and you're set. Or, if you have a spacious, well-off tank, your fry can survive off of the ecosystem of the tank. I've left fry in the same tank as they were born, yes a couple were eaten, and they've grown into full adults in a 10 gallon tank.

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Question

Can I use cabbage instead of lettuce?

Community Answer

Yes. I have used cabbage because I live in India and lettuce is not available here.

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Question

Can I use flakes instead of wafers?

Community Answer

You can use flakes, but wafers are better.

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Question

Can I use spinach instead of lettuce?

Community Answer

Yes. Any leafy greens will work. As long as they are non-poisonous, you should be fine.

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Question

What is an algae wafer?

Community Answer

An algae wafer is a kind of fish food that is made with algae and other vegetables and vitamins pressed into a little disc.

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Question

In making infusoria, should the bottle filled with lettuce and water be closed, or left open for several weeks?

Community Answer

Use a third of the jar filled with lettuce, then keep the lid open. An open lid helps circulate the oxygen from the air, and if you set the culture inside then stir once/twice a day just to keep it saturated.

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Question

Can you use bread instead of algae?

Community Answer

Theoretically, you could - but you would have to crush the bread to near baby-powder consistency.

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Question

Can I use bananas instead of lettuce?

Community Answer

No. Leafy greens or other plant materials such as as leaves or grass will work. You can basically use any non-poisonous plant.

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Question

Will my fish die if it gives birth?

Community Answer

No, it shouldn't.

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Question

Should I clean the water if it turns green?

Lissa Kelly

Community Answer

If your water turns green, your batch went bad, and the bacteria overtook the infusoria. Start with a new culture.

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Question

Is it risky to give infosuria to betta fry?

Community Answer

No, it shouldn't be risky. Feeding the betta fry infusoria for the first two weeks should be fine.

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Question

Which food is best for the betta fry, the infusoria or microworms?

Community Answer

Microworms, as they are more nutritious, and also larger so they are easier for the fry to catch and eat.

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Question

I do not have infusoria food. What can I use instead?

Community Answer

You don't have to use infusoria food. I made a culture without the food (just lettuce), and it was successful.

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Question

Can I use betta flakes instead of the algae?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No; those are high in protein and meat instead of vegetable matter. It'll just rot in the water.

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Question

Can I use spirulina pellets instead of algae wafer?

Community Answer

Yes, in fact it speeds up the process and is very beneficial.

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Question

Can I use dog food instead of algae wafers?

Community Answer

No. It will cloud the water and release harmful oils which will kill any infusoria and your fry.

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Question

Is there a replacement for algae wafers or for infusoria?

Community Answer

For algae wafers, if your other tanks grow algae, you could put the algae from that tank in your culture. As for infusoria, you could us baby brine shrimp or crushed freeze-dried bloodworms.

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Question

Is infusoria already present in a fish tank?

Community Answer

Only if there are no fish or anything to consume the infurosia. It'll grow if there is food available. Often happens in fish food cycles.

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Question

Can a betta be fed infusoria?

Community Answer

Yes. Breeders sometimes feed them to the betta fry, which can be helpful.

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Question

Can I use pellets instead of lettuce when making infusoria?

Pragati Kc

Community Answer

Pellets are a commercial diet to be fed. It's better to use green, leafy vegetables, as they are a natural form.

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Question

Can I use spirulina fish food in place of wafers?

Community Answer

Yes, it is perfectly fine for you to replace the wafers with spirulina fish food.

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Question

Can I use pellets instead of algae wafers?

Dasha Kuzmin

Community Answer

No, pellets might cloud the water, but if you really don't want to use wafers, you can use flakes.

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Question

Which is the best food for betta fry -- infusoria or microworms?

Community Answer

If you have both, it'll be great for your fish. But, don't feed it microworms more than three straight days. If you have baby brine shrimp available, that is also good.

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Question

Which type of food is used for infusoria?

Community Answer

Infusoria consumes the bacteria that’s being released from the greens that you would need to add in order to make them.

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Question

Can the lettuce be cultured with tropical flakes?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use any type of fish food to grow infusoria.

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Question

How long will the infusoria culture be alive?

Community Answer

The infusoria colony should survive as long as it is provided food and sufficient space, but overcrowding of the colony is not uncommon since the infusoria grows so quickly.

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Question

Can I use water from a fish pond that has a lot of algae in it to make infusoria? Could I put some algae water in to feed fry?

Community Answer

No! Many organisms live in pond water that will happily kill and eat your fry, given the chance.

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Question

Can I use Spirulina Pellets, instead of algae wafers?

Community Answer

Any plant-based fish food should be fine.

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Question

Is it okay to use a plastic bottle?

Community Answer

It is recommended that you use small glass jars rather than plastic bottles.

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