A Quick Guide to Culturing Vinegar Eels

For more detailed culture information, see my ebook: An Aquarimax Guide to Seven Easy Live Foods
amzn.com/B00MXHN07S

[@Aquarimax]

I would not recommend using distilled white vinegar, as it can kill the worms. Other natural vinegars, such as red wine vinegar, may or may not work. I've only used apple cider vinegar myself.

[@christineketay2130]

You have become my 'go to' guy for all things live food. Thank you for sharing your knowledge & experience!!

[@Aquarimax]

Delighted to hear that! You are welcome!

[@lougilwardsoroysoroygujild8684]

Can I use any vinegar not apple cider vinegar?

[@MikeKollin]

Where did you get that plastic container? I Like how you used a swab to pull out the worms... :)

[@MikeKollin]

+Aquarimax Thanks!!

[@RobertoCruz-sd3zn]

Y si no tengo manzana

[@MikeKollin]

Question: I believe I saw another video where you interviewed Diana Walstadt about her method. I am doing the Miracle Grow system using the correct organic potting soil, etc... The water where I live is 8.2 ph, high in minerals, hard water... medium alkalinity. 12 weeks old, fully planted tank.,.. But for some reason my tank is super super low in alkalinity and the ph is crashing. I used small sized rocks at first to cap it, about 5 to 7 mm. And I had no problems except the alkalinity crashing after 3 days or so... So a friend told me to cap it better with 2 mm gravel,etc... and I did... and still after doing a 30% water change, 3 days later the alkalinity drops to 20 ppm or so... I have broken oyster shells in the soil and also Dolomite in the soil with Red organic clay in the bottom... I have 1/2 a clay pot in there as well... Yet the PH Crashed below 6.0 and the alkalinity crashes. But the water hardness is medium. Any thoughts on how to keep the alkalinity up? Or does the tank just need to mature more? P.s. the tank is cycling a 2nd time because after I re-capped it a 2nd time it threw the tank off... But the ammonia is down to 0.75 and nitrates is going up to about 40 ppm right now... so almost finished cycling a 2nd time.

[@Aquarimax]

+Mike Kollin I expect that you are right about it needing more time, but perhaps Diana can offer some insights: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4fXd2mmjaecqMU

[@MikeKollin]

Ok, thanks... I just tested my tap water/water source and the ph is now lower, 7.4 ph and alkalinity is 100 ppm. I think it's due to all the rain we have received in northern california. We get our water from the Russian River that runs over calcium, etc. and usually the PH is well over 8.0 as high as 8.4 and usually alkalinity is higher. I'll call water company tomorrow and ask them if this is why it is lower... I'll check out that link. Thanks again!! :)

[@zackootd8325]

Can I do this without a starter?

[@Aquarimax]

Probably not. Most vinegar is treated to kill these worms. If you were to collect some rotting fallen apples you might be lucky enough to find some vinegar eels, but a starter culture is very inexpensive and ships very well.

[@darshancr2146]

How long does culture stay

[@Aquarimax]

6 months or so, but it varies.

[@CrowntailHalfmoon]

Do u need to rinse the vinegar eels from qtip? I've read that a single drop of vinegar can kill fry? How can you feed eels without adding vinegar to fry tank?