size
- Thread starter TonyGee29
- Start date
TonyGee29, Welcome to the Fish Breeder's Forum!
I am not sure, but I think a 20 gallon is standard minimum for a breeding pair of percula.
Many folks use 10 gallon tanks to raise larvae, and then transfer to larger tanks as they grow up bigger.
I use a 20 gallon tank for larvae, and have never had so many survive that I needed to move them to another tank. I look forward to that day.
Cheers,
Kathy
I am not sure, but I think a 20 gallon is standard minimum for a breeding pair of percula.
Many folks use 10 gallon tanks to raise larvae, and then transfer to larger tanks as they grow up bigger.
I use a 20 gallon tank for larvae, and have never had so many survive that I needed to move them to another tank. I look forward to that day.
Cheers,
Kathy
JHardman
Premium Member
Tank size for the pair doesn't matter, they will spawn in any size tank they are comfortable in. The important part with size is filtration, as you will need to feed to saturation for 2-3 times a day and a small tank unless it is part of a much larger system simply can not handle the bio load.
As for larva rearing a 20g tank is a disaster in the making. Smaller is better, 5-10g. If the tank is too big, you will have a very hard time maintaining a proper rotifer density, not too metion it is a big waste of water, algae and rotifers. It's like trying to drive a carpet nail with a 20lbs sledge hammer.
As for larva rearing a 20g tank is a disaster in the making. Smaller is better, 5-10g. If the tank is too big, you will have a very hard time maintaining a proper rotifer density, not too metion it is a big waste of water, algae and rotifers. It's like trying to drive a carpet nail with a 20lbs sledge hammer.
Hi John,
My sledge hammer has worked pretty well for me; given me about 170 carpet nails so far!
I am just a newbie at this. 150 of those were in the last 2 months, with 3 nests.
I don't start out with 20 gallons, just a 20 gallon tank. I start out with 5-8 gallons. I have not had any problems raising enough rotifers or phyto to take care of them in a small space. I rarely go over 2 gallons for my rotifer culture, and my phyto is a row of 7-8 pop bottles. I use Rotifer Diet to culture and enrich the rots and save the live phyto for the greenwater in the larval tanks. I chose the 20 gallon tanks because they came to me for free, and Edgar uses 50 gallon tubs, and I figured he can't be all wrong. Actually, I think the large air/water interface area is not a bad thing, when the newly hatched larvae can't stand much agitation of the water. Helps to keep the water oxygenated.
Not to contradict you. 5-8 gallons at first is what I use.
Cheers,
Kathy
My sledge hammer has worked pretty well for me; given me about 170 carpet nails so far!
I am just a newbie at this. 150 of those were in the last 2 months, with 3 nests.I don't start out with 20 gallons, just a 20 gallon tank. I start out with 5-8 gallons. I have not had any problems raising enough rotifers or phyto to take care of them in a small space. I rarely go over 2 gallons for my rotifer culture, and my phyto is a row of 7-8 pop bottles. I use Rotifer Diet to culture and enrich the rots and save the live phyto for the greenwater in the larval tanks. I chose the 20 gallon tanks because they came to me for free, and Edgar uses 50 gallon tubs, and I figured he can't be all wrong. Actually, I think the large air/water interface area is not a bad thing, when the newly hatched larvae can't stand much agitation of the water. Helps to keep the water oxygenated.
Not to contradict you. 5-8 gallons at first is what I use.
Cheers,
Kathy
First thing I would do is buy the book Clownfishes, by Joyce Wilkerson.
After that, I would follow JHardman's advice. He is very well experienced at this, and knows what he is about. I am serious. 10 gallon tanks are just fine for larval rearing. Most folks I have heard of doing this use them.
Edgar has 30 years experience and uses 50 gallon tubs, but he is the only one that I know of that does. He has a system that works for him, but if you don't replicate it, it may not work for you. The same can be said for my system except that I have 2 months experience. Don't follow me.
Get the book and read everything you can get your hands on.
After that, I would follow JHardman's advice. He is very well experienced at this, and knows what he is about. I am serious. 10 gallon tanks are just fine for larval rearing. Most folks I have heard of doing this use them.
Edgar has 30 years experience and uses 50 gallon tubs, but he is the only one that I know of that does. He has a system that works for him, but if you don't replicate it, it may not work for you. The same can be said for my system except that I have 2 months experience. Don't follow me.
Get the book and read everything you can get your hands on.
Similar threads
