Minimum size for a fry rearing tank?

[Onyx!]

So, I have livebearers, and I guess that means I'm going to have fry that need to be reared to the size that the pet stores will accept them. Currently they are living in my 16 gallon with all my other fish but I can see this is going to become untenable, even though I don't have any males so eventually I suppose my female guppy will stop producing offspring.

I was thinking about setting up a second tank for rearing the fry, but I don't have a lot of room. I'm not sure what the smallest sized tank would be that would even be worth setting up for this purpose, but thought I'd get some advice. The fry would only be in this tank from the time they reach about an inch long until they are big enough to go off to the pet store as something, hopefully, other than feeder fish.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I would say a 10 would be easiest and easily available. You can probably find one on CL for like 10 all together. You will need either a sponge filter or a sponge for the intake of what ever filter you will use.

 

[ryanoh]

I'm looking at setting up a fry tank as well in my empty ten gallon. I'm looking at a DIY sponge filter powered by an air pump. I'm not sure how to do this though...

 

[Onyx!]

Well I think I've decided that I want to buy another 16 gallon bow front like the one I have XD While it will be mostly for fry, at least while I have livebearers, I still want it to look as nice as my existing tank so I can enjoy it.

 

[Thyra]

Ryanoh, if you check YouTube there are a couple of videos on making sponge filters.

 

[ryanoh]

Good point. I always try google and forget about youtube how-tos.

 

[OrangeCones]

Well I think I've decided that I want to buy another 16 gallon bow front like the one I have XD While it will be mostly for fry, at least while I have livebearers, I still want it to look as nice as my existing tank so I can enjoy it.

You have been officially infectect with MTS!!! Welcome to the club!

 

[aakaakaak]

I picked one of these up for 8 bucks at the LFS. It's stuffed in my little 1.5 gal fry tank/water jar at the moment. Cheap and easy foam filter.
Lees Triangle Dual Action Foam Filter - (Up to 25 Gallons) Sponge Filters

10 gal costs about 11-12 bucks for the tank. A full setup is running about $40 now.

 

[Onyx!]

@OrangeCones it was bound to happen eventually >_>;

 

[unwritten law]

I doubt LFS will take guppies as anything but feeders.....and pay you pennies if at all...

 

[Onyx!]

I don't care about getting money for them, I'd just rather not feed them and watch them grow only to have them eaten by some other fish. I guess it will depend on how attractive they look when they get big. I have no idea what the father looked like so I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I'm hoping someone might want them because the mother has proven to be really hardy and also resistant to guppy wasting disease, which is more than I can say for most of the rest of the guppies around here :c

 

[aakaakaak]

It depends on the guppy and the LFS. Some guppies are more desirable than others. Some LFS may want them while others won't.

 

[fishwish34]

Guppy wasting disease? What's that?

 

[OrangeCones]

Also called Fish TB.

Guppy Ailments and Remedies

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

Maybe you can trade/sell at a local aquarium club?

 

[ryanoh]

I'm designing a new stand that I plan to build in the next year or two, and I'm planning on incorporating 2 smaller fry tanks under my main 40 gallon, but 10s won't fit. Is 5.5 a decent fry tank size, or should I make the design work with 2 10s?

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I would try to make it work with the 10's.....

 

[ryanoh]

Hmmm.

Two 10s would be ideal for me too since I already have one, I'm just not sure how this is going to fit. I'm sure I'll figure something out.

Actually, what would really be ideal would be a 20 long divided in half. Hmmm. Options, options...

 

[Newman]

the bigger the better in this case as well. w/e is the largest you can afford to have around your house.

 

[marvin]

may i ask do you have any other or plan for other livebeares? if this is your first fatherhood i would suggest a hospital tank, small works faster and costs less for meds