More effective, but still inexpensive, plankton net? Or method?

[Lamb]

Hello all!

I currently have 6 Ambystoma larvae (most likely opacum) and am feeding them a mix of wild-caught micro-inverts (e.g., copepods, daphnia) and brine shrimp (when I can't get out to collect wild inverts). My current collecting method is as follows: use a cup to collect inverts from shallow, grassy areas at ponds/lakes; fill a 1 gallon jug with the water collected; strain the gallon; repeat 10x. This method obtains a good number of inverts (enough for a few days), the downside is that it takes about 45 to 60 min to complete. So, I'm inquiring about non-expensive plankton nets that have smaller pores than do brine shrimp nets. Or about any suggestions on how I can improve these methods to reduce the required collecting time.

 

[Kaysie]

A pair of pantyhose stretched over a shaped wire hanger. Shape it like a paddle, and sweep it through the water.

 

[hovey]

I use a battery powered pump, a 2 gallon bucket with the bottom cut out and a piece of silk-screen material (used from a local printing shop) silicone to the bottom. I set it up with the bucket in the water and the pump drawn from the pond to the bujcket. A few minutes/hours and I have as much I can use.