Should I just dump this culture?

[Hopelessaddict101]

So.... my new cultures never work out. I have no idea why. I'm still using my starter culture to get more, but they aren't working..

I use: Water and bread. Milk and bread.

This one has a LOT of mold...

http://www.bettafish.com/picture.php...ictureid=33027

But then it has a LOT of micro-worms...

http://www.bettafish.com/picture.php...ictureid=33028

So I guess what I'm trying to ask, is: Do I dump it, or keep it, seeing as there's still MW production?

[LittleBettaFish]

Have you tried just plain oats (I pour boiling water over mine and then wait until it cools to room temperature) with a bit of yeast sprinkled on top? I use that method for my MWs and it works really well. I just seeded a new culture the other day and it's already ready to be harvested.

In the bottom picture I would scrape those MWs off the side of the container and use them to seed a new culture. I don't think I would use any of the worms crawling around in the mould.

[Hopelessaddict101]

I have no tried that, but I may very well do. Is there an alternative to yeast? (As I don't have any) but I could get some soon? And how much do you need to boil the oats?

Thank you :)

[MattsBettas]

Yup, cook the oats and yeas is cheap and at any grocery store.

[Hopelessaddict101]

Cool thanks :)

[aemaki09]

The best and easiest way I've been able to do it is to get oatmeal (quaker is the type I use) and bakers yeast.

I put some dry oatmeal in whatever I'm making the culture in and then sprinkle water on top. You want the oatmeal to be soggy, but not so much that theres extra water in the cup *if you have extra water either drain it or add a little more oats)
then put a spoonful of old culture into it and mix, then sprinkle bakers yeast on top.

I dont cook mine at all -- this makes it last longer, but still is just as effective as using cooked

You should start seeing new worms in 2-3 days. Reculture in 2-3 weeks.

[Hopelessaddict101]

Cool! I will try that! Thanks!

[GhostFeather]

I just use Instant Mashed Potatoes for mine,very cheap!
Just put the Instant Mashed Potatoes in your container,add enough treated tap water to just wet them a little,I leave mine a little stiff,then use the yeast and starter culture.
Also,as I posted before,if you have a large culture and want some for the future,you can place part of it in your fridge,pull it out months later and will be as good as a new starter culture you buy.
I have 2 active cultures on my table and 4 in my extra fridge.
The ones in the fridge will develope some mold,just spoon it out before you start a new culture.

[aemaki09]

No problem! Hopefully this time it works for you!

I just recultured every single one of mine today so it was all fresh on my mind!

Goodluck

[Hopelessaddict101]

Thanks :) I've done a few cultures from my starter one, but they always fail! xD