Newbie Breeding setup

[HappyHammer]

Please be kind I'm a newbie and this is my first post....

First of all must say that this forum is awesome and the information being shared is fantastic and very encouraging.

I have owned marine tanks of various sizes up to 4' x 2' x 2' and would now like to have a go at breeding. I've collected heaps of reading material from the internet and have a couple of books on my hit list.

Have decided to attempt two common species to begin with Clown Fish and a Goby as there seems to be quite a lot of information and success with these fish.

I want to create an initial setup that enables me to do this and based on reading so far it looks like I might need four tanks, one for each species to lay and fertilise eggs and two more to separate male and eggs. I'm thinking of running them all on the same sump and filter by cascading the water from one to the other and back to the sump. Any issues so far? Should I be concerned about cross contamination?

I'd also like to create a setup to produce food, haven't read too much hear but on a quick pass this seems to invlolve plastic bottles rather than tanks....

Any hints, tips or advice greatfully received.

HH.

 

[HappyHammer]

Any comments, suggestions, tips on how this setup will work?

HH.

 

[HappyHammer]

Prolly should have put a bit more info. in my post

Percula and Goby pairs.

The funny thing in the sump and filter is a skimmer with two pumps one to run the skimmer and one to return the water.

The tanks will be above one another each with its own weir which will gravity feed the tank below and eventually return to the sump.

I've assumed the risk of cross contamination and the design is to reduce the cost for pumps etc. I've seen posts and info. about having small airstones in with the fry but not sure if this is essential?

The idea would be to have no substrate in any of the tanks but to put a flower pot or some PVC tubing in the tank with the breeding pair in the hope thay'll lay the eggs in it to enable easy transfer to the fry tank.

Maybe I'll have more luck getting a reply this time....

HH.

 

[Baalz]

Having your broodstock, growout, and hatching tanks all on one system is a recipe for disaster.

 

[GregDoug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10209523#post10209523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Baalz
Having your broodstock, growout, and hatching tanks all on one system is a recipe for disaster.

I tend to agree but if you wanted a system design, Jhardman has been around the block a few times and has a great idea on how a system could be setup, but you need a decent size system for it to work well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1080678

I would say if you want to use your design, place the pairs on their own system, break the fry from hatch to about 30 days on individual tanks (plus it keeps a system crash from killing all your babies from all your pairs) and then maybe have a growout system... with tons of filters.

 

[shred5]

UV system would be nice esp if you have multiple tanks on the same system..

Dave

 

[Baalz]

Maybe it would help a little if I explained my reasons.

I use 3 systems.
My broodstocks are each in display reef tanks and I remove eggs to 10g hatching tanks. 10 g hatching tanks are on a rack and only contain a bubble wand and heater. After they have morphed I add a hob aquaclear filter with mesh on the intake to keep the small babies out. After they have grown a little bit I then move them to one of my growout systems.
Each growout system has it's own trickle filter and skimmer. Each growout's hardware improves with size of fish.
My largest growout is a total of about 100g, has a 40w UV and a large beckett skimmer. I can house several thousand fish in there with a weekly water change.
I can judge when my growouts need a water change just by looking at them and their reactions to being fed. They begin to get lethargic when a water change is necessary.

Growout tank water can get pretty nasty. You do not want that water to mix with your broodstocks or fresh hatches. Your hatching tanks require alot of food and frequent cleanings to ensure your young make it well past metamorph. Thats why you should have 3 separate systems.

 

[powdertang05]

yes keep your broodstock and fry seprate i used 10G in a row drilled all to one sump and the same for the parents.