Red1313

I know that the standard seem to be a ten gal but couldn't you theoretically spawn in any size of tank provided you kept the water low?

Shawnie

yes within reason...4 inches of water in a 55 gal compared to a 10 is less surface to worry about ..make sense? as dad will go nutso if hes a big bubble nest builder LOL

Red1313

lol true
However wouldn't a temporoary glass divider duct-taped (or something) into place be used for a smaller section for the actual nesting and spawn. Once the eggs are hatched couldn't the whole tank be used?

Shawnie

for sure....but remember, these babies are minute and could get thru a divider with holes..but a temp glass divider might work....

cinderelly9000

thats actually a pretty cool idea to divide a big grow out tank, it would make acclimating the fry a lot easier. Might have to fish around for a cheap 55 gallon and give that a try...

Red1313

I've been thinking on it since if I do try my hand at breeding I want to try it with as few tanks as possible and also with the father in method, and for that a larger tank is easier.

cinderelly9000

plus with the father in method if anything does go wrong it would be pretty easy to lift the divider and wiggle some blood worms to get him to swim out haha. you could use aquarium silicone to seal in those folder border things people use in DIY dividers and cut some plexi to fit well enough to slide up and down

Red1313

I hadn't thought of siliconing divider "slides" in... that would be interesting. The next question would be though since fry are so sensitive to water conditions ect. When you lift the divider would the influx (keeping in mind that the water levels on each side of the divider would be equal) of fresh water be a shock?

cinderelly9000

thats an interesting point... Im not sure I guess you could instead of water changes you could use water from that side of the tank so that after a while the parameters are equal then start doing normal water changes to both sides... not sure if that would work but its an idea, maybe someone else will put in their two cents

Red1313

Ok was thinking on this and had an new sort of an idea... What about using some sort of fabric instead of glass? Something similar to cheese cloth? That way the water can pass through freely but the fry can't...
I dunno if this fixes the problem or not. <thinking cap>

cinderelly9000

well if the water could pass through then it should be the same... or at least similar because solids couldnt really pass through it would just be a matter of making sure its attached with no holes

Martinismommy

Red, although you could spawn in any size tank I prefer using a 10 gallon....It is easier to keep track of the fry....

Red1313

Good point.
However with the cloth barrier you'd still get the benefit of the increased water volume as well as having the fry in a section to keep track of...
Would painting the back and bottom of the tank make it easier to see them you think?

On a side note: MM would you think something like this would be useful?

Red1313

Two idea's here.
1) what metal is magnetic and aquaium safe? Place magnets on the outside and the metal bar would keep the cloth tight... though you'd need a pretty strong magnet...

2) stretch the cloth around a frame and wedge it into place... you could even make it adjustible (more metal required) to ensure a good tight fit. keep the screws at the top and then when the water level is high enough and the fry are big enough just take it out before the screw gets wet. I suppose you could use a wooden frame, when the wood swells it should form a nice tight fit... and just a plain old plastic of course.

3) use a regual divider with the cloth stitched onto it?...

Any of those sound like they'd be useful?

Martinismommy

Painting it black is a great idea! My eyes suck and you should see me trying to check on my babies lol....

Red1313

I can imagine it. It would make taking pic's of you're light bodied boys stand out more to
Just don't breed Melano's in that tank

Sidenote again: Have you had any issues with spawning on a bare bottomed tank? I know that there are some wild species where they recommend painting the bottom of the tank of make them feel more secure.

What do you think of the larger tank idea though?
Is it something worth looking into further?

Martinismommy

I wouldn't personally do the larger tank...I keep mine in the 10 gallon until they are about 6 weeks old and then move them into the 25....This has worked well for me....Moving them is an all day event trust me but like I said, it is easier to keep track of them in the 10 gallon...