Worms can be "raised" in a garden that is shaded and well watered. Here is
what I do to boost my worm population. All winter dump your compostable
items right on the garden ( when the worms are dormant), till this and any
dead leaves in yard in the spring. Keep a small compost pile for the rest
of the year, spread this on the garden in the fall and that will be tilled
in the spring as well. Of course growing vegatables here is a good idea.
Minnows and killifish can fill a pond full of small fish to feed your
fish throughout the warm months. Have thick weed growth and lots of
crevices made of driftwood and rocks. current over the rocks helps for
certain species. Another smaller fishless pond can be used for daphnia.
Bloodworms and glass worms should show up naturally, as will mosquito
larvae if there is some decomposing vegatation on the bottom. Not too much
that it fouls the water.
Once you get the Idea of how the worms and daphnia grow outdoors this
should be able to be duplicated in doors. If the pond is deep enough, the
fish should make it through the winter. A stock tank heater will keep the
pond from getting to cold, but are expeensive to run. I am hoping to find
a cheaper alternative to these.
Buying a bag of commercial fish chow ( trout, catfish or gamefish) and
soaking this in some oil from canned fish along with vitamin powder for a
while before feeding is another good thing. The chow comes in 50 pound
bags for around 20 dollars. some fish will eventually become used to this
food and start eating it dry. Some may do so right away.
For tiny fish grindal worms and paramecium and euglena cultures are good to
get started. these will not be worth it for fish over 2 inches.
Ordering crickets and worms bulk from bait wholesalers is another good
route. You do have to set up containers to keep these things alive though.
Putting your guppies in a outdoor pond for the warmest months should get
good results as well.
Ray
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