Best microfauna for a jarrarium?

I've been wanting to set up a jarrarium for a while now, but I've been thinking about the stocking, and don't want to do shrimp. I want to be able to keep a sustainable colony of microfauna I can feed to my fish (guppies and corydoras ), what might be an option? What would be the outline of basic care? This would be in under .5 gals but I haven't found a jar yet.
I should add this would be a zero water flow environment.
Thanks!

 

Maybe some type of worm or maybe daphnia? Not really sure, never tried raising either one.

 

h

Maybe some type of worm or maybe daphnia? Not really sure, never tried raising either one.

How would I get them? should I be able to find them at my local fish stores?

 

h

How would I get them? should I be able to find them at my local fish stores?

No clue, really. Maybe online. I haven't delved into raising food, whether its in a jar or cultures.

 

No clue, really. Maybe online. I haven't delved into raising food, whether its in a jar or cultures.

I'll definitely ask me local fish store about it, even see if i can get microfauna like that from them. They certainly do have seed shrimp

 

I'll definitely ask me local fish store about it, even see if i can get microfauna like that from them. They certainly do have seed shrimp

I got seed shrimp in 2 of my tanks without trying!! Just kinda showed up :/

 

I take water and dirt samples from my local pond: random crustaceans, scuds, pond snails, boogey worms.

 

Daphnia can be found in most ponds or standing water. Even if you only need one individual to start a colony I would recommend buying a packet of eggs. I was never able to isolate one individual or a small group from dozens of other creatures I found after 48 hours in pond water.
Now that I know all daphnia are female in summer and surprise surprise they are all born pregnant it might be possible to get just one individual from a cup of pond water should I try again in the future?

I paid just $10 Australian ( $5 US) for eggs . That way you are guaranteed a pest free culture.

Having looked at dozens of videos on daphnia there is a lot of contradictory information on line. One thing they all agree on is the need for multiple cultures in multiple containers in different locations.. Some in a warm spot some in a cooler spot . Until you find a location that is just the right conditions .

As you have no container yet you should get a few 5 gallon/ 20 litre buckets in my opinion.

.5 of a gallon is just to small for a guaranteed culture. It’s a fun project but you would be advised to have multiple buckets running.
A link to one of the videos I watched this week.

note how little this guy suggests to feed.

A quick and dirty shot of two of my buckets. I currently have 4 running. And yes I have had one crash already. Possible over feeding?

 

Daphnia can be found in most ponds or standing water. Even if you only need one individual to start a colony I would recommend buying a packet of eggs. I was never able to isolate one individual or a small group from dozens of other creatures I found after 48 hours in pond water.
Now that I know all daphnia are female in summer and surprise surprise they are all born pregnant it might be possible to get just one individual from a cup of pond water should I try again in the future?

I paid just $10 Australian ( $5 US) for eggs . That way you are guaranteed a pest free culture.

Having looked at dozens of videos on daphnia there is a lot of contradictory information on line. One thing they all agree on is the need for multiple cultures in multiple containers in different locations.. Some in a warm spot some in a cooler spot . Until you find a location that is just the right conditions .

As you have no container yet you should get a few 5 gallon/ 20 litre buckets in my opinion.

.5 of a gallon is just to small for a guaranteed culture. It’s a fun project but you would be advised to have multiple buckets running.
A link to one of the videos I watched this week.

note how little this guy suggests to feed.

A quick and dirty shot of two of my buckets. I currently have 4 running. And yes I have had one crash already. Possible over feeding?View attachment 818911

Would I need water flow/aeration for them? One site said it's a must
sorry for the long response

 

I have only been culturing daphnia for a few weeks.
So far I have tried with and without an air supply. First impressions is the bucket with air multiplied slightly faster than the one without air. It’s far to soon for me to say for sure. And yes U tube has multiple answers to this very question.

A large outdoor container with a big surface area to volume of water has different needs to a small jar.

One of Cory’s first videos is of an outdoor tank without air.
The video I posted earlier has is a no air jar.

 

you do not need air for your jar just dont seal it.

Daphnia can be found in most ponds or standing water. Even if you only need one individual to start a colony I would recommend buying a packet of eggs. I was never able to isolate one individual or a small group from dozens of other creatures I found after 48 hours in pond water.
Now that I know all daphnia are female in summer and surprise surprise they are all born pregnant it might be possible to get just one individual from a cup of pond water should I try again in the future?

I paid just $10 Australian ( $5 US) for eggs . That way you are guaranteed a pest free culture.

Having looked at dozens of videos on daphnia there is a lot of contradictory information on line. One thing they all agree on is the need for multiple cultures in multiple containers in different locations.. Some in a warm spot some in a cooler spot . Until you find a location that is just the right conditions .

As you have no container yet you should get a few 5 gallon/ 20 litre buckets in my opinion.

.5 of a gallon is just to small for a guaranteed culture. It’s a fun project but you would be advised to have multiple buckets running.
A link to one of the videos I watched this week.

note how little this guy suggests to feed.

A quick and dirty shot of two of my buckets. I currently have 4 running. And yes I have had one crash already. Possible over feeding?View attachment 818911

The only crash I ever had was overfeeding, wiped them out real quick.