Re: Changing Water in Baby Tank

[Mike Downey <windwalker@uky.campus.mci.net>]

Steph,
  I use a method that you might try. If I take eggs or fry from the parents
I place them in a holding or catch cup. ( I have these 3 x 5" and 3.5 x 8"
) This I hang on the inside of the tank that they were in. I place an air
stone in this and keep them here for 3 to 5 days. This keeps the temp the
same and the water to exchange is at hand for a pour and dip exchange.
  When they are ready for larger quarters I use the black plastic coffee
ground baskets from a 30 cup coffee maker. (( 1-800-367-0111 ). When you
order tell them you want filter baskets for there 30 cup percalator) They
are less than $2. I put a piece of styro in the center hole for floatation.
These allow some constant flow of water. Twice a day I gently lift the
basket almost out of the water and then let it settle to refill with fresh
tank water .
  These make feeding very easy and confines the food to the fry area. Baby
brine shrimp are easily fed in here too. I use these very sucessfully with
my Pelvicachromis and Corydoras. The fry are always near the cleanest water
at the top of the tank and easy top observe. These will hold the smallest
fry from apistos and shell dwellers at about 5 days. The parents cannot
pinch the fry trying to pick them up like in nylon mesh. They also have
much smaller openings than the plastic grid baby holders.
  I often put a small piece of Java moss in the basket to offer "hiding".
You can have multiple broods in the same tank and keep them separated in
their own baskets.
  When the fry are ready for their own tank I slip a plastic bowl under the
basket and take it to the community 30 gal breeder fry tanks. These are
kept at the same pH and temp, etc. as the spawning tanks. I place the
basket in the tank and slip the bowl out leaving their water to slowly
exchanged with the tank water for 12 hours. I then just "dump" them out.
  My fry tanks have a sponge filter for microbe food and 2 outside box
filters that run about 125 to 140 gph on each 30 gal tank. I use sand
substrate for both Pelvics and Corys. The uplift tubes I cover with course
sponge to protect fry.
  Another thing I do is buy "quilt batting" at Wal-Mart and recover my
filter inserts for the outside filters. I remove the original poly cover
from the plastic frame with a razor knife and empty the carbon. I cut new
covers to fit and hold in place with 1/4" wide rubber bands. The inserts
for the Whisper 1, Penguin 125, and the Millenium 2000 range in price from
$2 each at the LFS to $9 for 24 Bio-Bags wholesale. I buy Poly-Fil 120"
x120" for about $5. Most filter inserts are 4 x 6" to about 5 x 8". Make
sure to buy poly and not cotton or wool batting. My wife makes quilts and
there is a huge amount of extra after she finishes!!! The cost savings is
great and the poly comes in different densities. I use the more dense on
one filter in each tank and the less dense on the other. You will learn how
often to change these with your feeding schedual and population densities.


  I hope this will help you.

Mike