Betta Spawning Tank

[Marty]

Hi all,

I had a friend tell me that if I chucked snails in my tank they can sometimes help to keep it clean. Firstly, is that true? And secondly, would the bettas mind if there were snails in their spawning tank, or would the snails eat the eggs?

Right now I'm really wanting to keep my betta tank clean, b/c I don't want to clean it at all during the spawning and while the fry are very young. It's not only difficult, but I don't want to disturb them.

There's things like UV sterilisers, but I get visions of having my new born fry zapped

Any ideas??

 

[wuvmybetta]

I'd avoid the snails until the fry are free swimming, snails WILL eat eggs and immobile fry. As long as they haven't been in there for days and days (parents) the tank is probably fairly clean. I use a turkey baster to suck up the excess waste before spawning , while the male is working on the nest.

 

[Silly me]

I was more thinking get a good UGF and get the tank running for a while and then add the spawning Bettas. UGF is low maintance, also theres no real intake point for the fry to get sucked into.

snail for me is a NO NO NO. they do more harm than good,

 

[Marty]

OK, so no snails. Pardon my ignorance but what's a 'UGF'??

 

[jams.alaskan]

Under gravel filter

ALASKA

 

[Marty]

Under gravel filter

Your a champ! I was just going to ask what the heck these were. Anyway, it looks like you've got the job of explaining to me

I know people say not to bother with UV sterilisers blah blah, but are they likely to harm my fry?

 

[shrks1fan]

How do you use an UGF, since spawn tanks aren't suppose to have any gravel (makes it difficult for the Dad to collect the eggs and babies on the bottom of the tank). I have my spawn tank bare bottomed, it also makes it easier to clean/vacuum up the debris.

Linda

 

[Marty]

Silly me... Your right. There is no gravel in my spawn tank lol.

Is a sponge filter my only option then??

 

[Silly me]

no gravel is better, also I wouldnt even add a filter. water changes every day would be much better.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I just use an airstone, I found fry would swim and become trapped in the little corner filters. I would avoid large water changes. I syphon out maybe 3 or 4 basterfuls and then refill with a little extra water, a bit more than I removed.

 

[Marty]

Yea, great for the water, but what about my bubble nest and fry?!

 

[Marty]

I just use an airstone

What do they do exactly?? I've seen them, and know that they assist with keeping a tank clean, but not sure of their exact function...

Marty.

Edit: Something else I found that looks interesting. Algae Magnets... What the??

 

[wuvmybetta]

algae magnets are awesome but they're mainly for cleaning the sides,not the bottom.

I just have a small air stone (porous,blows out bubbles?) draped in the tank for surface disturbance...that's about it. It serves no useful purpose aside from keeping fry alive through their labyrinth developement stage (they're not born air breathers!). Here's the best way to clean and do water changes. Get a piece of airline tubing, hold it on the bottom of the tank and start it by either sucking on it or using your ever handy turkey baster, syphon into something that you can see clearly if there are any stray fry floating around. If so, spoon them up and put them back in the tank.

 

[Marty]

Thanks for the advice wuv. I think I'll just do that.

 

[faewyn]

After you have filled up your fry tank to about 8-10cm.. after the fry have hatched you carefully top up the tank each day with about 2 cms, with the same quality water. once the fry are a bit bigger, carefully siphon the crap from the bottom every few days.

If you use a 90litre container, it will house your fry til they need to be sepereated and youll have plenty of room to add water!
You can add infurosia snails that poop the organisms (they dont fully digest the plants)
Or grow some yourself, with java moss in a bowl with old tank water for a week or so.

Good luck