Breeding Congo Tetras

[karawr]

I have read over the sticky on breeding most egg scatterers but was wondering if there were any specifics someone could share with me for congos.

For example the male to female ratio. And if a 10g tank is enough, or if I should go with a 25g.

Also is it necessary to seperate the two before breeding?

 

[karawr]

Well since no one has any tips I think I'll just turn this into a little journal, and see if anyone has advice along the way.

I've got a 25 gallon tank (24 x 12 x 20). I feel it's a bit small but it's all I could come up with.

Two penguin bio-wheels 125 and an aquaclear 20. Anyone know the gallon rating for the penguins? I got them for free and can't find much info online, must be a really old model.

I've slightly decorated the tank just with some plants and halved ceramic pots for hiding. I'll be adding some marbles tomorrow for substrate.

I've added mature media to cycle things faster but I'm still gonna run it a few days cause looks like my stats are wonky:

Temp: 77
pH: 8.8 (don't know why it's so high, all my other tanks are 7.4)
Nitrite: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0.25ppm

I've decided once the tank sorts out, I will add 3 females to the tank and condition them (and condition the male in the main tank) on brine shrimp and blood worms. I hope a 1:4 (M:f) ratio works out, haven't been able to find any sources on the right ratio.

 

[karawr]

Well I added peat moss to hopefully bring down the pH to a more neutral state but I haven't seen a difference. After the first day pH dropped to 7.6 and has stayed there the past couple of days. Don't know why it was so high the first time around. Now have 0ppm ammonia/nitrite but will do daily w/c anyways to keep water pristine. So far feeding on brine shrimp and blood worms, with occasional pellets.

I added 3 females to the breeding tank. Only one looks like she's got eggs but I didn't want her to be alone.