What do you do to prepare the tank when you are expecting the male to give birth?

[RedAnt78]

I think that one of my males is prego since his belly has been inflated all week. I'm thinking that at about the 14 day mark I'm gonna shut down the power head and I've already placed netting over the drain to stop the babies from going down. Should I also turn off the main pump while I'm at work for those days as well? But that would worry me as far as temp and nitrate fluctuations.
I could put him in another tank, but from what I understand, that's not really recommended.
Thanks for any feedback!

 

[rayjay]

Although it's not ironclad, IME, the male usually gives up a few warning babies a day before the major birthing.
When that happens you can turn off the ph as late as possible at night and the fry most often will be born in the morning before lights come on.
As for the pump, can you do something to restrict the flow so it isn't going to suck them against the netting so strong?
Restriction has to go on the output side of the pump not the intake side.

 

[RedAnt78]

Great thanks for the advice, I installed a ball valve today. Hopefully I'll have my stuff ready for when they are born!
Do you turn the lights off so they don't come on in the main tank that day as well?

 

[rayjay]

They are usually born before the lights come on in many aquariums.
Some do turn the lights out and some leave them on. I don't know if it really makes a difference unless you want them to gather at the light to make it easy to gather them up.

 

[RedAnt78]

Ok cool, thanks for the help!