What You'll Need
*A clean, wide container
*Dechlorinated water
*Daphnia starter culture
*Yeast
*Spirulina powder (optional)
Method
1.Choose a clean container with a large surface area. The container does not need to be deep, but a wide surface allows better oxygen exchange, which helps the daphnia thrive.
2.Fill the container with dechlorinated water. If using tap water, allow it to stand for 24–48 hours before adding the daphnia.
3.Add the daphnia starter culture.
4.Place the culture in a sheltered outdoor location where it is protected from direct sunlight. Daphnia prefer cooler temperatures and generally do not perform well in hot conditions or full sun.
Feeding Your Daphnia
We have had the best results using a simple homemade food made from:
-Baker's yeast
-Spirulina powder
Mix these with water to create a rich green suspension. The exact concentration is not critical, and one batch can usually be used over several days.
Alternatively, a very small amount of milk can also be used as a food source.
When feeding:
-Add enough food to make the water appear lightly cloudy or "foggy."
-Avoid making the water completely opaque, as overfeeding can foul the culture.
-Feed the culture again only after the water has cleared, indicating the daphnia have consumed the available food.
Harvesting
-Use a fine mesh net to harvest the daphnia as required.
-Avoid harvesting the entire population. Leaving plenty of adults behind will allow the culture to continue reproducing and provide an ongoing supply of live food.
