Potassium Permanganate

[phljess]

I have several clown pairs, I have been trying to get them to breed for over three years. In Joyce Wilkerson's book Clownfishes she says relunctant breeders may start if you add potassium permanganate to the water. Why would this cause them to breed and does anyone know how much should be added in proportion to water volume? I also noticed that this product is an oxidizer so I was wondering if it can be used to raise ORP in a reef tank?

 

[Roy G. Biv]

This will show you exactly how much not to add :eek1:

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/video-potassium.html

 

[billsreef]

Like they mentioned over in the chem forum, it's a risky idea. I'd go with photo period, temperature and dietary manipulation before trying something like permaganate.

If you give us a run down of your tank set up, inhabitants, feeding regimen, lighting schedule, etc., we can probably help you get those clowns breeding with such drastic measures

 

[dorm_reefer21]

yea i have heard this too and i have been wondering how adding more or less fireworks will get them to breed? luckily i have never had the problem or been too impatient to try to force them to breed.

 

[phljess]

My setup is approximately 200 gallons with twelve tank divided by acrylic sections. The clowns can not see each other. I run carbon in the system to eliminate any hormones that may interfere from one pair to another pair. I have already did the lighting change, run high temps, have added powerheads, etc. I do not feed very much live food but plan to raise some brine this summer in a kiddie pool. I also may need to manipulate SG. I have done all other tips. I have had a breeding pair in the past but have not been able to get another pair since I lost them.

 

[billsreef]

How long are your lights on, and what are you feeding them?

 

[phljess]

I changed my light schedule from 12 to 14 hours and I feed them flake and my homemade seafood gumbo stuff.

 

[billsreef]

Two more questions, what's the temperature, and how often do you feed?

 

[phljess]

I have the temp set for 82 degrees, I feed twice a day by hand and also have food timers set fo twice a day.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Maybe she feels bloated?

 

[billsreef]

Seems like a pretty good regimen. Have you tried giving them a couple of months of winter by dropping the temp to around 74-75F and the light to only 9 hours before increasing temps and photo period?

 

[phljess]

I used to have the light down to 12 before I took it to 14. In the winter these tanks usually run a little cooler but I have never dropped them that low.

I am going to start lowering the SG and see if it helps. I will also begin feeding Brine in the Summer.

 

[billsreef]

The difference between 12 and 14 isn't enough to be a trigger. I'd drop the photo period to 9 hours for at least 4 weeks and than bring it back up to 14 hours.