I am in the process of starting to aquire the equipment and build a stand (shelf/cabinet) for several small tanks to be used in a breeding setup. I will be breeding one type of Apisto (probably cacatuoides), and plan to try to selectively breed them for specific traits. I really want to do a long-term project with this, so I want to start out right!
I am aquiring several 10 gallon, two 20L, and one 30 gallon breeder tank for this endeavor. I am going to build a 4' wide x 2' deep x 7' (or so) tall stand out of wood (well braced) with 3 separate levels holding tanks. I will use well water and R/O water I will include as many plants in the tanks as possible while still having it open enough to catch fry easily enough for trade/sale. I don't really plan to make any "real" money, but want the experience of doing this. I think I'll enjoy the challenge!
I would like to keep things as low maintenance as possible, while still producing plenty of fry. I have several questions for anyone with experience, please:
1) Should I use 1 male and 4 female apistos in the 30 gal breeder and move the fry to the smaller tanks, or put the adults in the 10s?....the 20's? Should I move thw fry to the 30 gallon? I'm trying to figure out the best way of not stressing the females and without having to be deeply involved in my tanks every day. For instance I don't want to worry about being at home every evening to watch for when I need to remove the male from the breeding tank (typical apisto breeding technique). I hear that if you have several females, the male won't bother the females to death when they aren't ready to spawn. Is it more difficult to capture the fry from a central tank like this? I think there would be a more steady supply like this, am I right?
I also want to separate the male and female fry ASAP to control breeding as much as possible. Like I said, I want to selectively breed them. Also, where could I get a few wild caught apistos? I'd like to start with good stock.
2) I will be using sponge (bubble up) filters in these tanks for filtration. Should I get a larger blower? Are these too noisy for a computer room/study? Should I just get a larger Air pump? Any suggestions?
3) Please feel free to let me know any ideas/comments about how I'm going about things. Any other equipment essential? Should I get separate heaters for each tank? I can't raise the temp of just this room. Could I get away with linking them with overflow syphons and use a powerhead (small) to circulate water between the tanks? Would this be a good idea? I would use sponges over the overflow syphon intake holes on both sides. Maybe I could get some additional filtration going, too! I will not be using CO2 injection, but I can get some good substrates and use low light plants.
Thanks for input.
I am aquiring several 10 gallon, two 20L, and one 30 gallon breeder tank for this endeavor. I am going to build a 4' wide x 2' deep x 7' (or so) tall stand out of wood (well braced) with 3 separate levels holding tanks. I will use well water and R/O water I will include as many plants in the tanks as possible while still having it open enough to catch fry easily enough for trade/sale. I don't really plan to make any "real" money, but want the experience of doing this. I think I'll enjoy the challenge!
I would like to keep things as low maintenance as possible, while still producing plenty of fry. I have several questions for anyone with experience, please:
1) Should I use 1 male and 4 female apistos in the 30 gal breeder and move the fry to the smaller tanks, or put the adults in the 10s?....the 20's? Should I move thw fry to the 30 gallon? I'm trying to figure out the best way of not stressing the females and without having to be deeply involved in my tanks every day. For instance I don't want to worry about being at home every evening to watch for when I need to remove the male from the breeding tank (typical apisto breeding technique). I hear that if you have several females, the male won't bother the females to death when they aren't ready to spawn. Is it more difficult to capture the fry from a central tank like this? I think there would be a more steady supply like this, am I right?
I also want to separate the male and female fry ASAP to control breeding as much as possible. Like I said, I want to selectively breed them. Also, where could I get a few wild caught apistos? I'd like to start with good stock.
2) I will be using sponge (bubble up) filters in these tanks for filtration. Should I get a larger blower? Are these too noisy for a computer room/study? Should I just get a larger Air pump? Any suggestions?
3) Please feel free to let me know any ideas/comments about how I'm going about things. Any other equipment essential? Should I get separate heaters for each tank? I can't raise the temp of just this room. Could I get away with linking them with overflow syphons and use a powerhead (small) to circulate water between the tanks? Would this be a good idea? I would use sponges over the overflow syphon intake holes on both sides. Maybe I could get some additional filtration going, too! I will not be using CO2 injection, but I can get some good substrates and use low light plants.
Thanks for input.
