Can't Grow Algae In My Mosquito Larva Bucket!

**teddscau** · 05-11-2011, 07:36 PM

I've decided to raise mosquito larvae for my fish, so I filled half a 5 g (maybe bigger) bucket with tap water (I'm on well water) then tank water several days later. I put it outside in the sun over a week ago, but there isn't any algae or mosquito larvae yet. What's wrong?

**Brhino** · 05-11-2011, 08:03 PM

Last year I cultured mosquito larva outside, but it took until late june before I found any larva in my buckets. If you're significantly further north than Michigan it may be even later for you.

I'd suggest adding plant matter to your buckets to get the ecosystem going, like live plant trimmings if you have any, or decaying leaves or similar from outside.

**Sandz** · 05-11-2011, 09:39 PM

I 2nd that... Mosquito larve only come up for air to the surface, they want something to hide under. Fallen leaves are great for that.

**teddscau** · 05-11-2011, 10:00 PM

So the plant matter will encourage algal growth?

**Brhino** · 05-11-2011, 10:13 PM

I think so. It will also encourage the growth of microorganisms that provide food for the mosquito larva.

I will say this: last summer I put out two buckets, right next to each other, both filled with tank water. The algae situation was very different though. One had green water and little other algae. The other had clear water but algae covering the sides of the bucket. Not sure what the difference was.