couple simple questions

[Danielrvb]

I have read a bit, and I have not seen an answer to this. Why raising the clownfish fry, water quality is an issue and you need to do water changes often. However, wouldnt putting a few pieces of live rock into the tanks help with this? and help balance the tanks? Is there something I am missing.

And also, would that same Idea not work with rotifer grows? I am assuming the answer is no with no one doing it? But why? Is there things growing in the rock that will eat the rotifers?

 

[cabrego]

Based on my limited knowledge I will answer your qs.

1) From what I gather, I don't believe you should do water changes often when raising fry, unless you can be sure the water parameters are very close to each other.

2) Instead it usually a better idea to prevent having to do water changes by controlling ammonia by keeping a clean tank

3) Live rock would likely help; however, if you have ever raised fry you know that the fry can get trapped in the smallest crevice. In fact, even the interface between the glass and the silicone in my 10 g fry tank caused at least 6-10 deaths. Even non-smooth silicone creates traps.

4) I know pods eat rotifers, so that could be an issue with rock in the rotifer culture.

 

[flying_dutchman]

1. All kinds of organisms that will prey on the larvae life in liverock
2. Larvae are very fragile, liverock is just not a good idea
3. You suck out any dead larvae during waterchanges to prevent them from decaying
4. As Cabrego noted there are organisms in the liverock that prey on the rotifiers, you want to keep your rotifier culture as sterile as possiblle.

HTH

 

[Danielrvb]

Thanks for the replies, and I figures as much with predators. However I had not thought of them getting trapped.

Another question. As far as having a breeding pair in a separate tank, 10g would not be to small right? I would not think so, but I have not seen any setups really, and I always hear of the 30 and 40g "breeders"

Thanks again.

 

[flying_dutchman]

If you plumb a couple tanks together 10g is sufficient. If you have just one tank 30 and 40 breeders are better, more water volume= more stability, the shallowness of the Breeders also provides more aeration surface.
40 breeders are just easier to maintain than 10g. 10g is enough space wise for the fish.
Best is a BB tank, with just a bunch of tiles where they can hide in and spawn on. The tiles are easy removable, so no stress trying to catch the larvae.

I would recommend that you read The complete illustrated breeders guide to marine fishes by Matthew L. Wittenrich

 

[Danielrvb]

I will look into that, and if that is the purpose, there shouldnt be any problem. I will likely plumb it together with my main tank. (180 display, and 40ish sump) As would I with the grow out tanks, from what you said earlier I think anything that does not require the smaller rotifers I would plumb to the larger system.