Live-bearers in 5 gal buckets?

[Adastra808]

So I'm considering trying to breed live-bearers (specifically swordtails and guppies) by placing pairs in 5 gallons buckets, and transferring the pair into a new bucket after they've spawned. I would set-up the buckets with a drip filtration system of some kind, with rubbermaid tub sumps.

Do-able?

 

[dogofwar]

You could use 10g tanks...or clear Rubbermaid bins (with air-driven box or sponge filters). But it will be hard to tell what's going on in buckets.

Also, what are your plans to heat them? I heat my fishroom so I don't worry to much about most individual tanks.

Matt

 

[Adastra808]

The "hard to tell what's going on" in the buckets was my biggest concern with them. The idea is to get a fairly large breeding system going with as little start up and materials cost as possible. I've been keeping my eye out on CL for cheep tanks. I like the idea of the clear bins, but I'd have to do some shopping around to see if I can find cheep ones. I know the dollar store has some that are about 1 gal, so maybe I'll have to see if they have anything bigger. Right now in my plan, the advantages of the 5 gal buckets out-weigh the negative of not easily being able to see what's going on (note to self: white buckets probably the best). The lower surface area:volume means less evaporation, which in turn means the water stays warmer. Plus I can get them for $2-3

This project is, at the minimum, a year out. I don't even have my display tanks set up right now Ideally I want to heat with ambient room temp (cranking up the heat in the breeding room) would be the best heating method (now I just need a breeding room lol). My other thought was putting a high watt heater in the sump and cranking the heat on that. I'd have to do some experimenting to see if heater in the sump + low surface area:volume would keep a high, stable temp. (second note to self: betta breeding method as well?)

 

[joe jaskot]

Guppies would be fine in a 5 gallon bucket. Swordtails will not do well. They need a larger tank or their growth will be stunted.