to be honest, im a very novice breeder. approx. 2 months.
ive been documenting my protocols very carefully and trying to change isolated variables since my first hatch. my survival rate was only about 25% for the first three batches. but since ive stoped using phyto and changed my lighting to this 5wt light, its worked well for me.
i also do 50% broodstock, slow drip daily. no salinity drop. i have a 24hr drip of broodstock from the moment the larvae are collected. i feed the rotifers about 2 hrs before i add them to the larvae tank.
in addition, my larvae are only in a gallon of water until past meta.
i siphon out 1-2 times daily and take out the "old" rotifers with the siphon and add fresh rotifers 1-2 times back. i always make sure i feed the rotifer tanks atleast a couple hrs prior to induction.
with my most recent hatch, approx. 500, ive only lost about 25 larvae and im on day 5. with the first three hatches i lost hundreds within the days 2-5 with phyto.
i ve lost no babies to thru meta.
this protocol works for me bec i can not figure out how much phtyo to add without hurting the larvae. so since i can get a great survival rate, and since culturing phyto is a hassle, i m more than happy this works for me.
again do i recommend this? no, but all im saying is that you DO NOT 100% need phyto.
what ive learned thru this forum and breeder freinds is that there are many many ways to culture clowns.
gimp your concrete comment is your own opinion and im sure youve been very succesful with your process. i do not like to confine my thoughts within defined boundaries. if i could grow larave in a cup of water i would do it.
its all about lighting! if you get your lighting right you do not need phyto.
)
