Grow Out Tanks, Jars, And Secrets To More Males?

[constantine03]

So, I've been reading on how to breed my bettas. I want to make sure that I've got everything I need in the beginning...so...here are my questions right now:

1) When and how do you add your fry to your grow out tank?

--I have a 56 gallon tall that I'm planning to use for this. What size are the fry by the time they're added to the grow out?

2) Is the grow out tank set up and cycled when the fry are added, or do you add them with their water and add more gradually? If so, what sort of filtration does the grow out tank need?

3) Where in the world do you all find your jars for the males, and how many do I need?

4) Can you somehow get more males out of your spawning with a temperature change?
-- The owner of my LFS told me to come by and talk to him about doing this. I didn't know it was possible, but he wasn't there tonight when I came in. Ever heard of this?

 

[blue_betta]

i add my fry to the grow out tanks when they are about 4-5 weeks old, their laberynth organ should be fully doveloped and functional by this time and it should be safe to move them. i have the tank up and running for a day or two before moving the fry and use most of the water from their spawn tank and topp up with fresh water. most people i guess would be using sponge filters. i was usling a fluval 2 with a spray bar and had no problems, but i thing a sponge filter would be best.
as for jars, if yu have a store that sells alot of sweets by weighing them, you can ask for the empty jars. they are usualy about 1gallon. alternatively ou can set up a barracks.


ive heard that different extremes in pH cause more males or females, but im not sure which way round. i think its a lower pH causes a slightly higher percentage of males.. but im not sure.

i dont think temperature has much to do with it, i know this influences the sex of crocadile eggs and some birds too

 

[Bubblenester]

1) When and how do you add your fry to your grow out tank?

--I have a 56 gallon tall that I'm planning to use for this. What size are the fry by the time they're added to the grow out?

To me, it depends on how big your breeding tank is and how large your spawn is. I just wait until the fry start to look like they are overcrowding the breeding tank, then move them... real specific, huh? You also want to make sure they're big enough to move- I never move them until they have all of their fins and look like "real" fish.

2) Is the grow out tank set up and cycled when the fry are added, or do you add them with their water and add more gradually? If so, what sort of filtration does the grow out tank need?

I add them with their own water to minimize stress, then gradually add more, but you could probably do it either way and be fine. For filtration, you will want a sponge filter. I put a "pond" sponge filter in my 40g growout, and that worked really well. It's this gigantic thing designed for 300 gallon ponds, but somehow it doesn't create too much of a current for the little ones. "Season" it first (collect bacteria) by putting it in another tank for a few weeks... even the breeding tank will work, if it fits in there.

3) Where in the world do you all find your jars for the males, and how many do I need?

I doubt you would need more than 100. I got mine here- http/www.wesellcoffee.com/page29.html
They're the 32 ounce heavy deli containers. The translucent plastic is kind of nice because it obscures the bettas' view of each other so you don't have to card them, but also annoying because you can't see them very clearly. It's a cheap option though at 23 cents each, and they don't take up much space. I upgraded to beanie baby display boxes and those are bigger, better looking... and more expensive. I was going to give you the email address of the woman who used to order them for us, but the club's website seems to have disappeared. Sorry.

4) Can you somehow get more males out of your spawning with a temperature change?
-- The owner of my LFS told me to come by and talk to him about doing this. I didn't know it was possible, but he wasn't there tonight when I came in. Ever heard of this?

I've heard of this, and heard of pH determining how many males you get... I haven't seen any solid evidence for either one. Give it a try and let us know the results!