Help with Fry tank.

[xylpheon]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or in the setup and filtration section. So if its in the right place please feel free to move it .

I was thinking of setting up a barebottom fry tank for my feeders and was wondering....

If i use a sponge filter where does the beneficial bacteria stay?

Would i just do regular water changes as i do to my other tanks? if so how much of the water should i drain and fill?

Also please post some pics of your setups so i can kind of get an idea of where to start .

Thanks in advance,
Xyl

 

[Donny417]

I personally think for fry it would be beneficial to use a substrate, a really deep substrate with a few plants and small hiding spots.

In my experience, fry require such stringent water parameters that going with a bare bottom tank, unless you have impeccable filtration, is setting yourself up for failure. Deep substrate (maybe almost sand like) will provide a heaven for bacteria and allow little food morsels to hide out until they get eaten. Also, the planets add/remove something from the water, I don't know what, but they definitely help. The more plants the better.

You won't be able to see your fry for a while, but you'll have a fairly high survival rate.

I'm still new to keeping fry but so far I've been pretty successful and thats how I do it.

 

[Justice.]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or in the setup and filtration section. So if its in the right place please feel free to move it .

I was thinking of setting up a barebottom fry tank for my feeders and was wondering....

If i use a sponge filter where does the beneficial bacteria stay?

Would i just do regular water changes as i do to my other tanks? if so how much of the water should i drain and fill?

Also please post some pics of your setups so i can kind of get an idea of where to start .

Thanks in advance,
Xyl

i would go with any filter doesnt really matter, sponge filter is also good, barebottom is best for feeders. so you can keep the tank clean without a hassle also, yes of course water change 25% every week.

 

[Deaths Sting]

i would use substrate for the reason of BB and holds food. my fry spend 99% of the time digging through the substrate.

warning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do not make the substrate deep!!! no more then 1 '' this way u don't need to vacuum it and wont disturb the fry and the parents. the parents and the fry will turn over the substrate.

i would use good filtration with a prefilter so the fry/eggs dont get sucked in.

 

[xaznkewlguyx]

I agree, I tried to breed my Geo's one time in a bare bottom tank.

More than half the fry were found dead on the bottom.

I have had a much better success rate with sand.

 

[Ransom]

everytime i put gravel in my tanks the convicts move it out of the way untill its barebottom then they lay there eggs there

so swings an roundabouts
bare / gravel / sand i dont think it matters really if there going to lay eggs they sure will do