Fry And Filters - Need Advice

[FishySarah]

I have a problem. I have two pregnant fish, and I have a fry tank all cycled and waiting. It's been set up for a long time, I've been keeping a few platies in it to keep it cycled. Only problem- I don't have a sponge filter. The local lfs has stopped selling them. I've been to three places and can't find one. I have a very powerful filter in the five gallon now- and I'm afraid it will suck those little fry right up once they are born. Is there anything I can do?

Right now I have the two pregnant fish in nets. I don't like that, it is no doubt stressing them out. But I'm afraid to let the fry be born in the fry tank with such a powerful filter. I was planning on letting them grow in the nets before they go in the tank. But that means i have to confine both them and the mothers,and I'd rather not do that.

Is there anything I can do to prevent those poor fry from being massacred?

Someone mentioned building a filter guard. How would I do that?

Please help.

 

[Lindsey88]

What type of filter do you have?

 

[poopsydrew]

Cover the inlet with a sponge or panty hose or make your own sponge filter in about 5 minutes, problem solved.

Drew

Edit- As for making it just use google, there are endless do it yourself sponge filter articles, the search function on the forum is useful too. I use pvc pipes and foam to make mine, theres a million diff ways.

 

[FishySarah]

Yeah, I could cover the inlet if its a box filter, but its submerged. It's a Stingray Elite 5. Maybe I could still get panty hose around it? I guess i could try.

What do I need to make my own sponge filter? I have tubing and a pump, but what would I use for a filter element? Would I use an empty water bottle for the filter itself? I really need some advice on how to do this.

 

[Lindsey88]

I put pantyhose over my whisper filter. I believe it will fit over yours too. If it's too loose just tie it in a knot at the top to make it tighter.

 

[FishySarah]

Thanks, I tried that and it seems to be working fine.

Only problem- when I switched my non-pregnant platys out of the five gallon and the pregnant molly into the five gallon, and moved the algae eater from one tank to the other, I forgot to check the temperature in the two tanks. There is a six degree temperature difference and I just switched the fish without acclimating them. Thank God they seem ok so far...but i feel TERRIBLE. I am praying they don't die now. I feel like the worst fish owner in the world- I just didnt' think to check.

Is there anything I can do? I figure I'll just turn off all the lights in the room and leave the poor fish alone, the more I stimulate and stress them, the worse it will be.

Keeping my fingers crossed that they're all alive in the morning....

 

[poopsydrew]

They should be fine, what you did was good. Just leave them be for the night, if theyre still alive, im sure theyll make it.

For making your own sponge filter any kind of open celled foam will do, just make sure it is plain old foam.

Drew