The best and least expensive way to obtain Daphnia, Amphipods and Hydra is to set out and collect them.

To get Daphnia, go to the nearest clear, clean water creek. Take a clear jar (mayo jar works great) and dip water quickly from behind a larger rock with a lot of algae growth.  You have to let the water settle, but you should find some of the critters in the jar.  Perseverance pays in this area.

Amphipods are much larger, two to three times the size of a pin head. (I forgot to tell you that Daphnia are about 1/2 the size of a pin head full grown).   Amphipods are found in the stringy algae on and in between rocks.  Grab a bunch of the algae, turn it over, and they will look like small shrimp, or crawdad babies without pincers.  They are also easily found on the under side of rocks in the water.

Hydra are collected by gathering floating plants, some sand at the edge, or a log from a very clear pond of still water.  There are of course other areas, but this is where I have the best luck.  Collect some plants, put them in a jar and see if you can find them.  Hydra should be abundant in all permanent bodies of water.

Do not worry that you only caught five, or fifty five.  They are quite the little bunnies of the water and will multiply very quickly depending on the food supply available,,, the algae that is.  Once they have gotten the algae in check, they will die down to a level equal to the new algae growth.  Balance is the key, and they do it all for you,,, more algae, they breed more... visa versa and etc.

Where to Buy:  Blue Spruce Biological supply is a good start.

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