View Full Version : New fry tanks.
I have just got three new platties from my LFS (one male and two females) and one of the females is just about ready to drop her fry. I have set up two fry tanks one five gal. and a ten gal. and what I want to know is do I need two put air stones in them? I have nine other tanks and have never had to deal with any fry yet. My wife thinks I'm crazy but she loves me any way. I enjoy this hobby so much that to have a fish produce some fry just takes the whole thing to another level. The fry tanks are cycling now and I have taken filters from some of my other tanks and put them in the new ones just to help them cycle a little more quickly. But placeing air stones in them does that make to much water movement? I thank you for any imput you can give me.
PJGirl112
05-08-2005, 11:56 PM
Honestly, fry are little things...I read once that air stones will create more surface movement and a little more oxygen cycling through, but are not much help. If you have "baby-proofed" the filter intake with sponges and the filters are not too strong/weak for the size tank I think you should be fine.
Air stones for me are merely for show (although the fish really like playing in them most nights)...I like bubbles :) and it churns up plant/food stuff that I can net out easily. I would think that babies (you didn't really mention which species) would be battling currents if it was too strong and might wear them out needlessly.
Just my opinion... :)
I have airstones in my fry tanks...I don't see any problems with them. I also have bare bottomed tanks for the fry....makes it alot easier to keep clean and the fry can find all the food you put in there for them, which is really important since you have to feed them 2-3 times a day at least.
The airstones help to circulate the heat from the heater......also, sponge filters are great for fry tanks. I do have a bio-wheel AND a sponge filter in one of my tanks. I did have to fry-proof the bio-wheel though...did it by using one of those netted fry boxes with a nylon stocking over the top. Just made a hole in top to slip the filter intake through.