Please Critique my Breeding Setup

[zennzzo]

Okay, I had seen that plastic plant at the store, but was un-sure if the material was safe for my fishtank. Now I know!

That makes sense what you say about the breeding in the wild. It would also explain all the breeding activity I've been having recently.

Anyone have any ideas for covering the intakes on the Emperor 400s?
With the Topfin60 I'm using on the 10 gallon, if you look at the picture, you'll see I just stuffed some sponge inside the intake. Do you think something similar would work well with the emperors, or should I go with an external sponge block?

I think on a 10 gallon you could go a single sponge filter with a small air pump...Bio/bubbles/a place where food can collect for them to eat...

I use the ATI sponges...
get one that fits the 10 gal

probably the one on the left...

 

[ThaDude]

This is what I was thinking of using, but happened to have the topfin60 on hand.
If I do use a sponge filter, I'll more than likely create a DIY one. I know I have all the supplies on hand (aside the sponge)

(At the same time, the fry will make it to the 10 gallon after 2-4 weeks [so the parents can get back to breeding], so by then they should be able to hold their own against the sponged-off topfin60, I would imagine. I have two 1/2-inch convicts in there at the moment that are doing fine.)

I'm still curious what I should do with the 2 Emperor400's on my 55 for the month or so they'll be with the parents.

 

[zennzzo]

This is what I was thinking of using, but happened to have the topfin60 on hand.
If I do use a sponge filter, I'll more than likely create a DIY one. I know I have all the supplies on hand (aside the sponge)

(At the same time, the fry will make it to the 10 gallon after 2-4 weeks [so the parents can get back to breeding], so by then they should be able to hold their own against the sponged-off topfin60, I would imagine. I have two 1/2-inch convicts in there at the moment that are doing fine.)

I'm still curious what I should do with the 2 Emperor400's on my 55 for the month or so they'll be with the parents.

AC110 HOB replacement sponges wrapped on the screens and ziptied in place?...

 

[gomezladdams]

Sponge filter is a much better choice for fry tanks.Good biofilter and fry feeding station.Stuffing sponge in the tube is liable to clog the filter.
Also java moss is great for fry tanksLots of stuff for the fry to eat in it.

 

[ThaDude]

zennzzo - that sounds about right. I'll have to pick up some sponge tomorrow.

Gomezladdams - Right on, I'll probably get some DIY stuff going in the next couple days. Will it provide enough filtration for the amount of fry coming & going?

(for that matter, after 2-4 weeks are they even concidered fry anymore?)

So long as aggressions are kept in check, I'd like to put convict fry in with the JD fry.

And as far as the Java Moss goes, how would I go about cleaning around it?
Where would I want to grow it? On the bottom, or on the back wall?

As far as feeding goes, I picked up some frozen brine shrimp for them, when/if they hatch.
I was unable to find any brine eggs locally. I read there's an 8 hour window to feed them once they're hatched, & I have plenty buckets around to start hatching them.. but i'd have to pick up heaters, which I don't really have the cash for...

Aside that I have some "HBH Baby Bites" stuff I used on the Convicts for a while... Stuff seems to hang on the surface. Lately with the convicts I just finely crush a large hikari cichlid gold pellet in some paper & toss it in there...

 

[ThaDude]

Good news!!! I just noticed wigglers! They are all just starting to vibrate. I don't think mom has noticed yet.
This is very exciting for me, as I raised the mother up from 1.5", & always intended on breeding. Even more so, seeing as though the parents did not get along in the beginning of March!

Not too many whites showed up... & they had this spawn with other fish originally in the tank, so I suspect this is 1/2 the kids they are capable of making.

Also, she did not remove the whites (eggs). Will this cause a problem?

Now to see how their parenting skills are! This is so awesome!

Any advice on what to do from here is greatly appreciated!

 

[mahemaheman85]

Good news!!! I just noticed wigglers! They are all just starting to vibrate. I don't think mom has noticed yet.
This is very exciting for me, as I raised the mother up from 1.5", & always intended on breeding. Even more so, seeing as though the parents did not get along in the beginning of March!

Not too many whites showed up... & they had this spawn with other fish originally in the tank, so I suspect this is 1/2 the kids they are capable of making.

Also, she did not remove the whites (eggs). Will this cause a problem?
add salt, salt will keep the fungus from spreading

Now to see how their parenting skills are! This is so awesome!

Any advice on what to do from here is greatly appreciated!

also a sponge filter is the best for fry tanks, and you actually dont need a heater to set up a bbs hatchery, just a light bulb somewhat close, hikari first bites work great if you cant get a hatchery up in time

 

[mahemaheman85]

And as far as the Java Moss goes, how would I go about cleaning around it?
Where would I want to grow it? On the bottom, or on the back wall?

you can put it wherever you want, you can attach it to something or float it with a cork and a rubber band (old school way) its great for fry tanks, doesn't need alot of light either, very low maintenance plant, and you can just move it if its in the way during cleaning

 

[ThaDude]

Cork & rubber band method...
I imagine this would be tying a rubber band around the top of a cork, 2/3rds submerging the cork with the java moss growing on it?

as far as adding salt, as many times as I've attempted to understand it, I still cannot grasp it. How much should I add to a 55gal (assuming maybe 5 gallons are decorations)
to keep fungus away?

 

[mahemaheman85]

Cork & rubber band method...
I imagine this would be tying a rubber band around the top of a cork, 2/3rds submerging the cork with the java moss growing on it?

as far as adding salt, as many times as I've attempted to understand it, I still cannot grasp it. How much should I add to a 55gal (assuming maybe 5 gallons are decorations)
to keep fungus away?

aquarium salt is a great preventative to have in your tanks anyway, i have it in all my tanks, just at half dose for scaleless fish like catfish, most people say 1 tablespoon to 5 gallons i think, but personally id probably do less then that, but ive been using it for so long, cause i dont like to use chems on my fish, that i dont measure anymore, i do handfuls lol

add the salt over a few days since you probably dont use it so your fish wont be used to it and you dont want to shock them