Tank for Babies

[finatic]

I had 14 baby swordtails born last Thursday. They are still in a large spawning tank in my 55 gallon. I set up a 10 gallon yesterday (small I know) and am cycling it with a few of my old fish. I am going to put a piece of nylon stocking over filter intake to keep babies from getting sucked up. How soon can I put babies in tank, how big do they have to be? I will be removing other fish after cycle so only babies will be in tank. Also adding bacteria to hurry up the cycle. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is my first ever batch of babies.

 

[bigfish]

i found nutrafin cycle very useful, dont forget cycling takes 6- 8 weeks from start to finish. Congrats on your new arrivals, let me know if want more advice i.e feeding etc

 

[playfulalliecat]

One suggestion I have is to take gravel out of your existing tank and maybe a filter sponge as well and put in the new tank. This can speed up cycling. What we do is take gravel, sponge, and water out of existing and most of the time we are ok with putting the new fish right in. Does your filter have where you can turn it down? That is what we did on our maternity tank and our platy babies swim right up to the intake with no problem. Hope this helps!

 

[steve-0]

some people have used water and filter media from other tanks and are able to start right away

 

[finatic]

Thank you all for your help. I had the tank I'm using set up 2 months ago. I added some rocks and water from my 55 gallon and a few fish. The babies are in a large spawning tank in my 55. I put a piece of plastic plant in for cover. I am feeding them liquid fry food. They are looking great. Also, lights are out on that side of the tank so I don't cook them. I can't turn down my filter, but will put stocking over intake. I am hoping tank will be cycled by time the fry get bigger. How fast do they grow? Thanks, I like talking with people who love their fish. All my friends think I'm possessed!!

 

[MamaPish]

All my friends think I am possessed.

Time for some new friends!!

Just kidding!

That is how I came down w/ MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrom)
I went to work for a lady about 10 years ago, all she talked about was her tanks and fish.....

Something I just thought of.......when I quit work to raise a family....the MTS went away, got rid of all of them.

We have since started spending more time together........and my MTS is back!!
Actually I think we are feeding off each other.....she just got a 75 gal not to long ago...her largest tank yet.

I have been telling her about this forum, and I think she is about ready to enter the computer age...she asked if I would go computer shopping w/ her!



Keep talking those friends will come around!!

 

[bigfish]

I know what you mean my family dont understand my passion for fish, it's gone from a goldfish bowl job to 3 fish tanks in my room and now im looking for somewhere to expand, i spent more time in here and attending to my fishies than my social life!! but it keeps me happy and out of trouble.