Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

I just made a few new fruit fly cultures with some homemade media (kyle's recipe from page 2) and I did every thing right and sprinkled some active yeast and top, but now the area around the yeast is a metallic green/blue color. The media includes vinegar, but is this mold? I hope not. Thanks for any and all input.
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P. sauvagei
derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures

What temp are they being kept at?

What did you use exactly and in what type of container?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

I used exactly what you said on page 2 and the temperature is in my basement. Maybe 75-80. Does it need to be warmer?
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P. sauvagei
derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures

D,
I don't think it is the temperature. How old are these and how long did it take for the blue/green to appear? Is it the same recipe I use, 'cause I have never had that happen. IS the stuff fuzzy or anything? TTYL

TonyT

I do remember that green/blue mold is ok, and have also read that flies go sterile at 80 or so. Mold also likes hotter temps. I keep mine at 70-74, and have only seen a little white mold at times on the sides. I seem to remember reading that only black mold was bad for cultures, and the rest was not a big deal.
My only problem with that medium is using the flies fast enough. They seem to over populate and then sick together and die. I normally make 2-3 cultures a week and they last about 3 weeks.

You can also check out http://www.doylesdartden.com/ for good info.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

This stuff appeared within 20 minutes. I talked to Frank Willaims and he said it's the yeast, which I think so also. It looks like someone put a little food coloring in the media under the yeast. Also, the temperatures are lower than 80, it's in my cool basement on a lower shelf.
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P. sauvagei
derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures

Hmm thats odd, i've never had that happen. I bet it will be fine though. I started with Carolina medium, and then slowy switch over to what I am using now. I have "0" problems with it, and my production is way up over Carolina. Let us know if it goes away and you get good production as I guess you will.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

I get blue/green mold from time to time with my heidi cultures. It doesn't seem to impede fly production at all, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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Randy
Lawrence, Kansas
1.1 Azureus
1.1 Cobalt
1.1 Fantasticus
2.2 Bastimentos Pumilio
2.4.1 Bri Bri Pumilio

Only $14 for a huge 4 liter bag of fruit fly medium. Formula 4-24, just add water. I see no reason to bother with the messes of "homemade" recipes when this is all you need. They even send the yeast with it and they usually have free shipping. I have learned through the years that simple is best, there is no need to complicate this hobby. Just my two cents.

tonysly

I agree it is very nice and easy and works well, but I can say that my fly production has more than doubled with the medium I use. So not only does it cost even less I have to make less cultures.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

Hey,

I have black jungle media coming, but it has been around 2 weeks since I ordered on July 4th. I was going to wait for it, but the flies in the culture I got with my aurotaenias was going crazy and had probably 300 flies in it. The "mold" has not "grown" any yet, but I will keep an eye on it. Wasn't the niegar suppsoed to prevent mold? Did I use them wrong vinegar? White vinegar?
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P. sauvagei
derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures

You used 1:1 water:vinegar right? I use whatever store brand Distilled White Vinegar. Could just be the yeast, I would not worry about it and I bet its not even mold, could just be a reaction off the yeast. Mold does not form in minutes, as far as I know at least.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

I followed the recip but the media turned out a little thinner than play doh. Is this bad?
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P. sauvagei
derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures

The Carolina medium has to have yeast mixed with it?

No, you just sprinkle a few grains on top after the media is set. Just like with any ff media. I just love the Carolina mix because it is so easy and I dont have to waste much time on it. But if you have the extra time to make your own media and you get higher production, then go for it.

tonysly

no worries........it's just a bit of mold that is essentially harmless...the mold just an opportunist taking advantage of the active yeast growing on the media surface.......once the larvae start "turning over" the media it will soon disapear.....

rich

>>Hey,
>>
>>
>> I just made a few new fruit fly cultures with some homemade media (kyle's recipe from page 2) and I did every thing right and sprinkled some active yeast and top, but now the area around the yeast is a metallic green/blue color. The media includes vinegar, but is this mold? I hope not. Thanks for any and all input.
>>-----
>>
>>P. sauvagei
>>derekb15.tripod.com/tropicaltreasures