Fry rearing tanks - kribs

[Fawke]

Hi there,

As per my sig, i have a spare 8.2ukgal tank sitting there.

My kribs are on their second batch of fry now and have disregarded the remaining 3 fry from the first lot.....

Now the 1st batch (3 weeks old now) have been kicked out of home, some have succumbed to the shoal of pictus - some now with very large stomachs.
The parenting is very good from the kribs, as long as they are interested, but now the second lot of fry are here (30-40) they are quite the opposite....

What is involved (IE Cycling, feeding, maintenance) in setting up a rearing tank - to prevent neglected fry from death by pictus (or just left to fend for themselves).

Then, what do i do with them when they are mature enough to be called - fish?
I cant keep them all, and i don't want to induce insest

Thanks for any ideas

 

[CFC]

I always have spare sponges for air powered filters ready cycled in my tanks so that in the case of a spawning i can just fill a tank with water bung in a heater and rig up the filter to the airpump and its ready to go.
A fry rearing tank will need a small water change and a quick vacume of the bottom for uneaten food every day otherwise nitrates will rise rapidly and slow down the fry's growth, possibly stunting them for life.
Once the fish are around 1" long you should be able to sell them to a fish store for around 1/4 of their retail value, in the case of kribs this is usually around £1.20 per fish.

 

[Fawke]

Thanks CFC....

1 vacuum everyday? I don't do that in my existing setup? should i, with fry in the tank?

I presume this is neccessary because it's a fry tank, and there are no other fish to eat the remains..... and the nitrates of course.....
Any idea's on suitable Nitrate levels?

I also have a Fluval Plus power filter i could run in my main tank for a few days.... but when i setup the new tank, it still seems to cycle (past experience..)
How long should i run the filter in my main tank for? and how much of the water from my main tank should i transfer into the new setup.....?
Iv yet to create a new setup without it cycling, so any more tips greatly welcomed.
I have trying using tights with gravel in, filter sponges etc etc, to no avail....

Im obviously doing something wrong.......

Thanks for the advice CFC, once again......

 

[cometcattle]

Your fortunate if your LFS will buy or accept trade for them. I'm not having much luck with mine. I'm giving mine away free to TFF members, friends, and a couple to a tank I'm setting up in a homeless women's shelter.