Fry Tank Setup

[nikkifro8994]

Hello. I'm setting up a fry tank. Right now its in the middle of cycling. I have gravel, a filter, and a heater. I have a sponge covering the intake of the filter because the slots are wide.

When the fry are 2-3 months old I am going to sell/give them to my lfs. Then I am giving the tank to my friend for a betta. So any decor I have needs to be able to be used for a betta as well as the fry. My lfs sells moss balls. Would 2 of these be good? What type of plants would be best for them to hide in? Also, should I add a cave? If I use real plants do I need an airstone? Should I add all of this now or after the cycle is over?

My cycle just started. Yesterday ammonia was 3ppm, nitrites were 0 and nitrate was 30. I just checked my water stats. Ph is 7.2, ammonia is 2ppm, nitrite is still 0, nitrate is 40. Why isn't my ammonia changing to nitrite? Are these good for starting the cycle? I seeded with the sponge and gravel from another tank. My temp is at 79°F. Shouldn't this speed up the cycle?

Thanks!
Nikki

 

[nikkifro8994]

I added the sponge from another filter and now ammonia and nitrites are 0. Nitrates are high so I'm doing a water change to get them under 20.
I'm going to use live plants like moss balls and swords. Do I need an airstone? What should my temperature be at? I lowered it to 75° F.

Please help me. I've never had fry before. Also, how far along is my platy?

This was taken on December 29th

 

[nikkifro8994]

Fry tank is set up. Here is a pic. Do I need to add anything?

 

[OldMan47]

With your filter cloned and a few plants in the tank, you should have no trouble at all. There is no need for an air stone but I sometimes enjoy the look of one in a tank. The 79F is quite warm. What kind of fry are you raising?

 

[nikkifro8994]

Platy fry. I lowered the temp to 76. They were born last night