Is Your Display Tank

[Ludwig Venter]

I'll be the first to admit that my breeding tanks are generally "not for public viewing".... The glass (overall) is covered in a layer of algea...(only the front glass is cleaned so's I can - at least - see the fish), the tank bottom is not syphoned as often as it should be, there is no "pattern" in the landscaping, but I feel comfortable that it is serving my purpose... generating infusoria and a bit of greenery for those fish who likes it.

My display tank however... is scrupulous... The water is clear, no algea on the glass,& the fish (also) seems to be happy....

My philosiphy is that you need a well matured (non scrupulous) tank in order to breed successfully.... What is your take on this??

 

[lilacamy931]

Hmmmm.... Ive only mistakenly got into breeding through cories but there are plans in the pipeworks to breed them with intention. I think I would proberly be the same as long as it serves the purpose in hand perfectly. I would definately agree with the whole maturity as "fresh" just isnt as good even with my limited experience

 

[Tolak]

This is very common, to the point that tanks at auctions are described as breeder quality or show quality at auctions. A working fishroom is generally not a showroom, unless you are showing it to other breeders with working fishroom experience. They are generally half interested in the stock, half about techniques & hardware.

 

[Knox213]

I know an old guy who breeds shunbunkins down my area.

he's tanks are FULL of Algea.

dont know if it helps them breed?

he has ATLEAST 7 35-55-75 gallon tanks!

they look extremely old!

and he has two ponds.

 

[OldMan47]

I know an old guy right in my own home that breeds lots of livebearers. His tanks are rather nice looking in the family room where everyone else hangs out, but the ones in the fish room don't all have a substrate, some have lots of algae on the glass, one has a clump of java moss so big the cories never seem to reach the tank bottom and others just don't look too great. All fish in all of the tanks are healthy and breed and grow well, but only the ones in the more public location really look pretty.

I went to a fish club dinner last night in a club member's home and we all walked around looking at his tanks. the things we noticed were just as Tolak said. We looked to see the fish combinations that were working, the way the tank racks were set up, how the tanks were being filtered and used and I think some of us might have noticed whether or not he had algae in his tanks. All of his fish were also in vibrant good health and the big show tank in his den, a 220 gallon I think, would look great to even a person with no fish.