Fry tank & Main tank w/ central sump?

[coryjac0b]

My pair of H. Nicaraguensis have started to bond and make a nesting area in a part of the tank. I know it may take them a few tries to get it right, but I would like to try and raise the fry once they are free swimming.

My plan is to setup another 20 or 30 gallon tank adjacent to the main tank (120g) and tie them to a central sump (55g) with an overflow and a separate return pump for the fry tank. I was going to use needlepoint mesh over/around which overflow type setup I plan to go with and also have a separate filter sock for the fry drain to keep fry out the sump. I also plan to keep a seeded sponge filter on hand and to plumb the fry tank so that it can be separated if the need arises.

Are there any flaws to my idea that I am overlooking?

 

[markstrimaran]

I have a similar set up. The only thing I would recommend is to have the fry tank overflow, pick up water from the bottom of the tank. Then position the return water in a way that pushes waste out of the tank.
I have a 1" pvc pipe about 1/16" gaping from the bottom of the tank. To keep fry from excaping. It is easy to clean, and never really plugs. Holes drilled above the water line serve as an overflow. Gravity out, no suction. Flows about 50 gph.

 

[ragin_cajun]

You're making this way too hard, man.

As soon as you have free swimming fry, scoop em out with a net, and put em in the 55 gallon sump. Done.

I have 20-30 Midas at around 3-4 inches living in my sump right now. they've been in there for months.