Clownfish Breeding tank Design

[US Marine Coral]

I got the acrylic tank below for cheap and want to section it off to hold a few pairs of clowns? Right now its 48x14x24High. I think it's a little tall. What height would you cut it down to and can I fit 3-4 pairs in it?


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=3615&pictureid=24874

 

[US Marine Coral]

Here it is taped off. Whats the best way to cut this tank down?

 

[mrbigshot]

dont cut it any. just make each section 12" wide. each will be 12"x14"x24". that would make each compartment about 17 gallons.

 

[US Marine Coral]

That would be the easiest solution. Since it would be 24 in high, would a 12x14 bottom be enough room for a breeding pair of clowns?

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

It might PO the pairs if they can see each other. Makes the dividers opaque.

 

[clownfreak]

I would say use black acrylic for dividers, not just opaque

 

[mrbigshot]

12x 14 will be fine, once you get a pot in there and they start laying they wont venture to far away.

 

[US Marine Coral]

Uh Oh! I did a water test and there is a very slow leak in the right corner. What can I use to seal it up? HELP!!!!

 

[crooks]

You can use weld-on to repair it. I would cut the top 12" off and make 4 cubes out of the bottom. There is no need to make the dividers black that is a myth. 12x14x12 is more then enough room for a spawning pair. I have seen spawning pairs in less.

 

[US Marine Coral]

I could do that and If I added a sheet of acrylic for a new bottom I could have four more 12x14x12 cubes. Great idea. Thanks crooks!

 

[US Marine Coral]

Can I buy Weld-On at Lowes or Home Depot?

 

[US Marine Coral]

Local reefer has some I can use

 

[clownfreak]

Local reefer works too, but yes it is available at most big hardware stores. I believe Weld on 16 is what you want to use to adhere teh new panel. But I'd double chack that before taking my word for it

 

[Costa reefing]

The black acrylic is a myth becaue the clowns can still smell each other. So going with transparent, opaque or black acrylic really just depends on how you like the look of each one.

 

[US Marine Coral]

Is that really true? Do you think that could effect breeding by keeping them in a divided tank versus their own seperate 15gallon tank?

 

[crooks]

Yes it does effect them but not in a negative way that I have found.

 

[US Marine Coral]

Ok good. As long as it is not negative way. Can you send me some pics of your setup?

 

[jeff@zina.com]

The black acrylic is a myth becaue the clowns can still smell each other.

Huh?

Jeff

 

[jeff@zina.com]

Whats the best way to cut this tank down?

Don't. Just fill it up to the level you need at the moment.

Jeff

 

[Costa reefing]

Huh?

Jeff

Clownfish have a good sense of smell, its how they navigate themselves in the wild, regardless if it can see another clownfish that is in the same tank, they know they are there because they can smell the other clown