Fry Tank...

[splashluff]

Hey everybody! I was just wondering, from the experienced breeders, when is the earliest time you recommend for a full water change? I've been doing partial changes every day and suctioning until my brain almost explodes ... but, I'm getting really anxious about totally cleaning it and adding in a sponge filter along with a nicer heater that I bought. I DON'T want to rush it, however. I know many people actually move their fry into grow outs at 1 week, and my fry will be 1 week old tomorrow. Just wondering if I should go for it Tuesday or Wednsday or wait until they're 2 weeks?

Also... another question ^-^... when is the best time to add a (dwarf) Cory to help clean the bottom?

 

[Durbkat]

I'm gonna bump this up to the top so people can see it.

 

[fawnmodel]

Some people do not touch the fry water for TWO WEEKS! This, I could never do, I feel very worried about them being sitting in waste that long.

I also syphon every day, I replace double the amount I removed. This is for the first week.

On the 1 week mark, I add 3 litres of water, after syphoning out a litre. I then go back to adding twice as much as removed every week.

On two weeks, I remove 50% of water, and replace it.

By the second/third week, my ten gallon is full, snd I do 1/3 changes twice a week, and 50% once a week.

I can never ddo a 100% change during the early weeks I am way too worrried it would stress the fry too much.

I also add back the large quantities with a syphon, it takes a long time but less disturbance. I also only plug in the sponge filter or corner filers a few times a day until they are several weeks old. Too much turbulence even on the lowest bubble possible can disturb them, I find. I turn it on a few hours after each feed, and leave it off at night.

 

[splashluff]

thanks Durbkat

Fawn, thank you for all the info! Sounds a lot like what I'm doing. I've been suctioning soooo very much. My stupid move was not adding a sponge filter before spawning ~ I thought a bubbler would be fine for the first few weeks, and I could just be constantly suctioning and syphoning. The main reason I wanted to do a 100% WC is to be able to add the new heater and the sponge filter. Their heater now is actually working perfectly, I just wanted to add this new one to be safe.

So, I guess I will wait until they're at least a week older to do a full water change, and just keep doing big WC's!

 

[wuvmybetta]

Splash, if you buy the smallest size gravel vac (they're pretty tiny at Petsmart for 2.50) it will speed up your water changes and allow you to take out more before you get so tired of standing there that your arm falls off and your eyes bug out. Just stick some poly-fil (filter floss) up into the cylinder and this way you can leave them unattended for a minute or two without worry of syphoning anyone up.

 

[splashluff]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead... but, I have another question!! I've been having some trouble finding all of the right supplies for a fry-friendly sponge filter. I've bought (and returned) 3 sponges with pores that would easily suck up my fry, and I'm afraid of drilling a hole in my finger when I'm trying to drill the plastic pipe. Sooo, I've heard that a small Penplax corner filter is ok. Has anyone had good experiences with these?

Also, I'm still wondering when I should add in my little Cory?... I'm still afraid that he'll eat my fry, and experience anybody?

Wuv, thank you for the tip!! I bought the small vaccum from W*M today, I'll try out your technique tomorrow

 

[fawnmodel]

There are several different filters that work ok, you can usually find ones intended for goldfish bows that work fine. If you see 'holes' in the casing assembly in front of the filter that is usually ok provided the fry cannot swim into them. If the holes are elsewhere and if they can swim into it ,you can duct tape them off. But, if the actual grid in front of the filter is wide open allowing them entry, dont use it. There are varied sponge filters, I actually use the canister style sponge filters mainly.

U know those littld old style bubble filters, with floss? you can get pretty decent ones for about $6. I personally use the small goldfish bowl corner filters and also the canister sponge filter dependent on which tank and how many are in it.

I use pretty strong airpumps, to slow them down at first I use a few knots in the airline or a couple bobbypins squeezing around them - cheap and easy. As they are older you can allow more flow. When the are young I actually like to keep the bubbles off around feeding times.

I also spyhon with a airline tube (for water change not for waste removal, I use a turkey baster for that) with a funny method.... I clip the small airline tube to a bowl below tank for draining, and also clip to the tank rim with clothespins. Hands free. I also stuff a bit of sponge into/onto the intake end so the fry cant get sucked up, you can put it as far below the waterline that you want it to go before it shuts itself off by grabbing air. Its really simple.

I do the opposite for filling, minus the sponge and i stick the hose way in the bottom behind the filter so the flow is not jumping around. Just put the bowl higher than the tank to fill, and only put enough water in the bowl as is appropriate for refilling.

Just my quirky methods

 

[splashluff]

Wow, thanks for all of the tips!! awesome. Do you know if it's ok to have part carbon/part sponge filter? There aren't any big holes the fry can get into.

 

[fawnmodel]

Wow, thanks for all of the tips!! awesome. Do you know if it's ok to have part carbon/part sponge filter? There aren't any big holes the fry can get into.

You could use carbon with the sponge filter. Infact in my favorite contained spinge filter,, it actually does not weigh down well unless I stiff soem gravel or carbon into it. Which I do for weight rather than anything. Its just more place for beneficial media to gather. I hope that is what you meant.

 

[splashluff]

Wow, thanks for all of the tips!! awesome. Do you know if it's ok to have part carbon/part sponge filter? There aren't any big holes the fry can get into.

You could use carbon with the sponge filter. Infact in my favorite contained spinge filter,, it actually does not weigh down well unless I stiff soem gravel or carbon into it. Which I do for weight rather than anything. Its just more place for beneficial media to gather. I hope that is what you meant.

Thanks so much Fawn!! You are such a huge help... yep, I wanted to use carbon to weigh down a sponge filter and maybe help with gathering beneficial bacteria. *snugs*