Fry Tank?

[terika]

My platty is pregnant, right now she is in a 20 gallojn tank with other fish, I am thinking of setting back up my 5 gallon tank that I just grew out of as a birthing tank. My issue is that I'm not sure what I should have in the five gallon hex tank(with a bio wheel) if I do, I've read some places that I should not put gravel as the babies sometimes hide in it and get stuck. I am also wonder if I should even move the soon to be mommy, when I bought her (about 3 days ago) she was already pregnant so I'm not sure how far along she is, but I have noticed that today she has been hanging around the bottom of the tank, could it be to late to move her?



Thanks in advance for any post.

 

[crazie.eddie]

You can move her now, but make sure the other tank is already cycled. Let it run for a few days with a filter and get some gravel from the main tank. Also cut up a piece of fish net and place it over the intake. This will prevent the fry from getting sucked up into the filter. Good luck

 

[madmom]

Also I would put something in it for the fry to hide in. Plants maybe. I think thre is something called a fry mop too.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

I've read some places that I should not put gravel as the babies sometimes hide in it and get stuck.

would gravel, sand or no substrate be best?

 

[crazie.eddie]

If you want to make it a permanent tank, then you can use whatever substrate you want (gravel or sand). Otherwise, you just grab some gravel (not enough to cover the botton of the fry tank) from the main tank, to use as bacteria starter.

 

[theotheragentm]

Fry aren't likely to get stuck, no matter what substrate you choose, but if you're really concerned, they should be bigger than grains of sand, so you could go that way.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

if i want baby guppies do in need a seperate tank or could i just have them (not me personaly ) in the main tank 130 litres
i've heard of breeding traps how useful are they?

be good if you could help
thanks

 

[Neo8223]

if i want baby guppies do in need a seperate tank or could i just have them (not me personaly ) in the main tank 130 litres
i've heard of breeding traps how useful are they?

be good if you could help
thanks

If its a well planted tank then theres nothing better than to have the fish in the main tank. Theres no excess stress on the females (except being chased by the males, which is natural anyhow) and there will be a decent survival rate. When the fish are big enough, they will come out of their hiding places.

If the tanks not well planted, then the breeding traps do work, even though they are a bit cruel. I used to use them when i bred guppys a few years back and i used the breeding trap method (as i was not allowed to set up another tank, nor spend all of my pocket money on it.)

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

If the tanks not well planted, then the breeding traps do work, even though they are a bit cruel. I used to use them when i bred guppys a few years back and i used the breeding trap method (as i was not allowed to set up another tank, nor spend all of my pocket money on it.)

that's where i am now. i got a small trap with my one female in it now. my tank was set up christmas eve and the plants aren't big yet. it'll be a nicely planted tank once they get larger but for now, i'm using a trap.

 

[Annaconda]

You can always buy some plastic spawning grass, And than when the babies are born you can catch them and put them in the other tank.Spawning Grass

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

i tried getting floating moss (java/willow) and none of my lfs carries any floating plants.

 

[theotheragentm]

Plastic plants are a better option I think. I've seen and read about too many situations where the mother aborts the fry, because she is placed in a breeder.

 

[stargirly1208]

i've never had luck with breeders, i've even had the mothers die from the stress. i would put her in the 5 gallon now if you want and just take water from you're already set up healthy tank since she's used to that water anyways (plus it's cycled). as for substate, i use regular aquarium rocks and never had babies get stuck. i also have a regular filter and have not had them get sucked up. right now i have an abundance of baby guppies because they all lived!! just make sure you crush up fish food in a baggy so it's nice and small so they can eat it after being born and losing their sack. any kinds of plants are good for them to hide in, especially floating ones. i have live plants, but you don't need to have them. that's all i do and it's successful for me!