Where to Find Daphnia in Cape Town

[Amphiprion]

Hi there!

I am wanting to biologically control my free floating microalgae in my tank by adding a live culture of daphnia inside a screened off containter which will be positioned near the bio filter outlet to proved flow through current with the green algae.

As per the Post Title and in my info I reside in Rondebosch, Cape Town.

I have read over the net that zeekoivlei (spelling) has some live daphnia and currently im planning on heading over there at night and shining a torch over the surface to hopefully attract some.

Has anyone got any info as to where else I could try?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks
Regards
Amphi :bigsmile:

[Norgrin]

I have on occasions found daphnia down by the river at the riverclub. Look for sections where the water is moving slowly and there is a lot of grass hanging into the water. I normally look to the section of the river to the right (if looking at entrance) of the clubhouse. I have also found dapnia at the water works at the airport in the holding damns.

[Amphiprion]

Thanks Norg!

Il give those locations a go this eve :)

[Henk Hugo]

AquaTerra sells it in summer - you do NOT want to use daphnia from a waste water works as it will put all kinds of nasties in your water

[ACE007]

Zeekoeivlei is a good source. There is a channel on the left running out to Muizenberg's side. When I was a kid still we used to go there with the fine white fish net and catch buckets full. We used to keep them in a little water till we got home and then "clean" them out with some fresh water. Then you put them in a ziplock bag and make your own frozen daphnia packets.

The only problem is we never knew how safe this was to give to the fish.
That time whe had guppies, mollies etc... And they went crazy for this.

[Amphiprion]

Thanks Henk/Ace,

I cant wait till the summer and would prefer to get live cultures for free.

looks like its the riverclub and the vlei for me, I'm not too worried about pathogens/diseases as I only have +- 60 guppies in the tank and am willing to risk contams. Will pick up a few more snails also as last time I tried in Liesbeek river and got a whole lot with boatman.

[Henk Hugo]

you can always setup your own culture - loads of info on the net on how to do that :)

[Amphiprion]

Ya but I need a starter

[Henk Hugo]

as far as i know the eggs survive the freezing process - i read that somewhere once - if you put a few blocks of frozen daphnia in it starts a culture - havent tried it but ja.... thats what i saw on the net once :D

[Amphiprion]

Hmmm, thanks Henk, Ill give that a go if I'm not successful with the live culture :)
Thanks for that :)

[Donny]

Henk were is AquaTerra located ?

[Henk Hugo]

as per forum rules i cant give the info - they are in the book

[Donny]

:) www.yellowpages :)
found them now know who they are and have been there before ***brain fart***

[ACE007]

http://www.petfish.net/articles/Foods_And_Feeding/daph.php

looks like it is easy to keep them going with a little yeast if you don't have green water.

[Amphiprion]

Hi Guys,

I now have a live culture of Daphnia. Give me about 1 month to propagate and Ill be willing to give away starter cultures.

Regards
Amphi

[ACE007]

Where did you eventually managed to get some?

[Amphiprion]

Managed to locate an extremely friendly fellow that resides in Constantia with ponds + exotic ducks galore in his backyard :)

[sarf]

Hi amphiprion..please let me know when u hav available..been looking for live daphnia 4a while

[Amphiprion]

Sure Sarf,

PM me in about a month. :)

[ACE007]

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Pets-pets-supplies-pet-products-Live-Daphnia-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ224767961

For Sale on Gumtree @ R20 a bag :p

[Amphiprion]

There we go! nice find ace :)