New Larval tank setup - and we're gonna be away?!

[mwp]

OK, so strange situation - I'm setting up the new 10 gallon tank for larvae...it'll have a large sponge filter to provide some filtration / water movement, but not too much. Our Male Apogon leptacanthus is due to drop his brood any minute now

Here's the problem...it's Easter weekend...we won't be here to take care of the babies! I have 3 2L cultures of Tetraselmis and 3 2L cultures of Nannochloropsis that were ready to be harvested today anyway. All the rotifer cultures are going well, and we're back to having some copepods mixed in with them (little tiny swimmers )

I can mix up fresh water, or utilize some parent tank water (although the cardinalfish tank has had some nitrate buildup post-move...it's probably 20-30 PPM), or I can utilize some matured water from another tank (our Seahorse tank is still sitting pretty at 0 ppm nitrate).

It looks like I'm going to need at least 5-6 gallons to cover the sponge filter, and of course, I NEGLECTED to buy a HEATER or thermometer for this tank (D'OH) - might get that rectified before we leave this evening.

SOOOOOO...experienced goby/clownfish breeders, what do you think I should try this time around. Add in 1 L of Tetraselmis, 1L of Nannochloris, and then maybe strain out 1/4 gallon of a rotifer culture and wish them luck over the next 3 days?

I welcome your advice!

MP

 

[David M]

I think I'd be inclined to just wait for the next brood

 

[mwp]

David, interesting "advice" - of course I want to try to raise any larvae that get produced, so I can't heed it!

Well, since the hour is fast approaching when those little swimmers will get released, I made a decision. 1.3 L of Nannochloris and 1.3 L of Tetraselmis were added to the tank. This was followed up with 3 gallons of freshly mixed saltwater and 3 gallons from the parental tank. I harvested a rough total of 3/4 gallon of Rotifers from a couple of my 1 gallon cultures; these were then strained through a 23 micron sieve (to get the smaller stuff that may be crucial in the early days). 1/2 of the rotifers (with the pods) went straight into the tank, the other 1/2 is currently being enriched with selcon.

Hey, worst case, they all die before I get back to 'em....best case, they'll be going stronger than ever. So far, my best success was 5 days...I really want to shatter that barrier.

FWIW,

MP


I'm going to dig around to look for something to shade the sides with, and I ran out to get a thermometer and heater so the little guys don't get too cold.

 

[David M]

Actually my thinking was that if I left them alive I'd spend the whole weekend wondering and worrying, if I didn't try to save them I'd be free to enjoy myself

 

[mwp]

Ah...yes...since I've lost so many who really cares if this batch goes the same way Granted, I think maybe they'd be better off without my daily "intervention"!

Anyway, now they're just screwin' with me...the lights are coming down, those larvae should be all over the place by now. Of course, he's gonna wait until I go to bed...all my hard work for nothing!

MP

 

[phender]

FWIW: It is very possible that the babies will be OK for a couple days on their own. There yolk should last most of them until day 3.

You might be able to get a nice co-culture going in the days you are gone if you provide enough light for the algae.

 

[Atticus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7175906#post7175906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phender
FWIW: It is very possible that the babies will be OK for a couple days on their own. There yolk should last most of them until day 3.

You might be able to get a nice co-culture going in the days you are gone if you provide enough light for the algae.

I agree with Phender. Have have used the co-culture method when I was going to be gone for a few days and did not have much of a die off. I also agree with David that they are still in the front of your mind the whole time and it would be less stressfull if you just let them go and enjoy your weekend.