Pro Larvae Spawning Tank Design

[ReefTECK]

I think this would be an improvement to classical collection techniques on pro larval spawning tanks. Is there any reason that the plumbing set up here would not maintain the water level in the tank at the level of the stand pipe behind the tank? I could even drill a hole in it to prevent a siphon from occuring, also will be using a larger pipe on the top with some special fittings.

This is just a rough model in sketchup, I did it real quick. I've got the tank built, and inserted a viewing panel on the front. Pics coming soon.

ltz,
Andy

 

[Chelsey]

What do you have that is spawning? I believe this setup is similar to what Frank at RCT Hawaii uses for his angelfish breeding.

 

[ReefTECK]

East African Fireball Angels (Centropyge acanthops), 3 of them, not spawning yet, but showing promising group behavior. Plus they're already decent size, and may not be long from sexual maturation.

I picked them up from work, they all came in together, somebody had put them all in one tank (stupid) but then I realized, they're not killing each other! and it had been like 4 days since I had been to work! Hmmmm...So I snagged them, put em in a spare 50gal.

The one that appears to be the male, is already engaging in a behavior known as "soaring" according to Scott W. Micheal. The females, or subordinates, I assume neither of them are terminal males, otherwise they would be killing each other. Anyways, the females don't seem to be interested in joining. I know I am going to mess them up when I move them into the spawning tank.

I also want to control the water height too, to use as a parameter that may, or may not, trigger spawning. I will at that point cycle them down a few degrees over 2 weeks, decrease lighting systematically, and then do the opposite to simulate seasonal changes.

Anyways, it could be a while, I'll keep everybody updated!