Wblaze
Members
So, how does a breeding net work/interface with a tank? Realistically, how long can you keep fry in one?
jonclark96
Past CCA President
They either hang on the rim of the tank or have suction cups to stick to the inside of the tank. You can keep fry in them for some time assuming that they don't start to beat on each other. Maybe months depending on the number of fry.
chriscoli
Administrator
I also like the floating breeder nets because I have (more than once) done a large waterchange only to look over and notice that the water level has gone below the hang-on-the-rim net and stranded the fry out of the water. 
No causalties so far...but apparently I can't get it through my head that I need to be more careful.
The downside to the floaty ones is that they end up at the back of the tank where I can't see them. I also recently did a waterchange and ended up with the floaty breeder net stranded on a rock...and you guessed it....out of the water.
No causalties so far...but apparently I can't get it through my head that I need to be more careful.
The downside to the floaty ones is that they end up at the back of the tank where I can't see them. I also recently did a waterchange and ended up with the floaty breeder net stranded on a rock...and you guessed it....out of the water.
gravel_digger
Members
i am using 2 hang on the sides now i guess the only real draw back i see other than noted above is the number of fry you can keep with in as they start to grow...
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
I use about 10-12 hanging breeder nets in my fish room right now. It is a pain, having to drop them down when doing water changes over 50%. For my main fry tank, where I have 5 breeder nets hanging, I use a 15 gallon. Since it is shorter than a 20H, you can remove more water volume without the nets going dry.
My Malawi fry typically spend the first 2-3 months in a net breeder before moving them to a 10 or 20H. I like having better control over feedings - which the smaller volume of the enclosure affords.
My Malawi fry typically spend the first 2-3 months in a net breeder before moving them to a 10 or 20H. I like having better control over feedings - which the smaller volume of the enclosure affords.
AndyNarwhal
Members
I have had a hard time with the breeder nets. My adults attacked the fry through the net and killed them. I switched over to using modified lee's specimen containers.
http://products.marinedepot.com/lee_s_aquarium_specimen_container_small_11411292.php
I drill a hole in the bottom large enough to stick a Jungle sponge filter uplift tube through. The sponge is on the outside and the air tube is on the inside. I trim down the uplift tube so it is just 1.5" taller than the bottom of the specimen container.
At the top I drilled a 3/4" diameter hole and hot glued some bridal veil mesh to both sides to keep the fry from escaping.
I also painted the bottom with the rubberized paint so that the adults cannot see the fry from underneath and swim up and harass them.
Hook it up to an air pump and you are all set. The container always has filtered, aerated water and even when the water level drops in the tank the air lift will lift water up into the container about 3" or so higher than the tank water level. The containers are easy to see into and clean and I can keep fry in there for weeks.
Andy
http://products.marinedepot.com/lee_s_aquarium_specimen_container_small_11411292.php
I drill a hole in the bottom large enough to stick a Jungle sponge filter uplift tube through. The sponge is on the outside and the air tube is on the inside. I trim down the uplift tube so it is just 1.5" taller than the bottom of the specimen container.
At the top I drilled a 3/4" diameter hole and hot glued some bridal veil mesh to both sides to keep the fry from escaping.
I also painted the bottom with the rubberized paint so that the adults cannot see the fry from underneath and swim up and harass them.
Hook it up to an air pump and you are all set. The container always has filtered, aerated water and even when the water level drops in the tank the air lift will lift water up into the container about 3" or so higher than the tank water level. The containers are easy to see into and clean and I can keep fry in there for weeks.
Andy
dogofwar
CCA Members
I use breeder nets to grow out fry as well.
My approach is to set up a dedicated tank for growing out fry (in my case either a 15g or 2'x2'x1' 30g)...and hanging breeder nets around the edge of the tank. I DON'T put fish in the tank itself. Or gravel or sand. Just a couple of sponge filters and/or box filters.
If I artificially raise fry, I usually start them in a small jar or rubbermaid shoe box...until they're free swimming for a few days...and then into a net breeder they go. They can grow out in the breeder net for a couple of months. Then it's time to either dump them into the tank or put them somewhere else.
Having fry in breeder nets, as I've described, makes it easy to concentrate food to them. And clean the tank.
Large fish WILL eat / kill fry through breeder nets.
Matt
My approach is to set up a dedicated tank for growing out fry (in my case either a 15g or 2'x2'x1' 30g)...and hanging breeder nets around the edge of the tank. I DON'T put fish in the tank itself. Or gravel or sand. Just a couple of sponge filters and/or box filters.
If I artificially raise fry, I usually start them in a small jar or rubbermaid shoe box...until they're free swimming for a few days...and then into a net breeder they go. They can grow out in the breeder net for a couple of months. Then it's time to either dump them into the tank or put them somewhere else.
Having fry in breeder nets, as I've described, makes it easy to concentrate food to them. And clean the tank.
Large fish WILL eat / kill fry through breeder nets.
Matt
rsretep
Members
I also use breeder nets, I learned early on to use airstones in them to keep water circulating. I have also had problems in the past with adult fish killing the babies by biting them through the net but have recently had my wife build me protective boxes out of simple plastic canvas.She attaches all pieces together with fishing line, works fantastic.
