Simple Idea To House Fry In Bigger Tank.

[doresy]

As you can see I keep Tanganyikans. Those that know me might remember that all the 'rocks' in my tank are hollow thus providing so many areas to breed and for fry to develop. However, I remove all the rocks every 2 weeks. This is primarily to allow thorough gravel vaccing and so when the rocks are replaced it displaces any claimed territory.

The last couple of times when I removed the rocks as the water from inside them spewed out I noticed eggs and fry going in all directions! I know the Juli's breed all the time so the eggs were from them (as most of the fry survive) but I am guessing the fry were Leleupi.

Now then.......to my simple idea.

I have purchased a small plastic reptile tank like THIS which I placed on the rocks so the top is just out of the water. I then got a length of tubing (airline tube) and threaded one end up the outlet tube of the external filter (Fluval 305). This has little or no effect on the flow into the main tank. The amount of flow emerging from the other end of the airline is perfect for the fry in the little tank.

To go one further, if you were to drill a hole at the top of the side of the little tank and fitted a slightly larger bore of tube then you could place the little tank on top of the main tank and the water could flow back in as there is enough 'head' of pressure. (As my tank is in the front room my wife did not like the idea of a little tank showing so I opted for my first idea)

Now, when I do my water change this weekend I shall pour the water that is in each 'rock' into a jug to check for eggs and fry then place in my new holding tank. I am aware of floating 'Breeding Traps and nets' and have tried one but they are too small for what I need and in anycase the eggs tumbled through the slits.

So, what do you think?

 

[discoiii]

I've been using a plastic stowage box that I got from Wilkos, I've added some netting to stop the fry escaping and I've cable tied it to the bracing bars at the top of the tank, it picks up the flow from my filter well and the fry seem very happy..

 

[OldMan47]

I really like the idea of returning filter flow to a fry container on its way back to a main tank. I may well do something with that concept in the next few days. I am losing far too many goodeids to predation and this may be the solution. I have no room for more tanks but may be able to rig something for fry preservation. The goodeid females are just too big to ever fit into a breeding trap so a larger container is definitely called for. Thanks for the idea Doresy.