You all told me this would happen :)

[stacic8679]

Ok I have decided I want to move my platy fry to another tank. I just feel like that breeder box isn't big enough for all of them. My question is how would I go about doing this? It would be a brand new uncycled tank. I planned on getting a 10gallon. Do I just take some rocks and put it in the new tank to get the cycle started? How long do I need to wait before i put the fry in the new tank? My husband is going to kill me. LOL*BOUNCINGS

 

[MrParker]

why will he kill you? because you are getting another tank? or because you are moving the fry?

are you going to have a filter on the 10g? if you are, you can use the filter media from your existing tank and put new filter media in your existing tank. I'm not sure if that would have a negative effect on your existing, but i hypothesize it wont. haha

 

[bmoraski]

When i had lots of fry i went and got a small 2.6 gal tank. it was uncycled, so i took a bit of filter media from my established tank and put in, then put fry right in. BUT you will be doing at least every other day water changes, making sure temp is consistent until it cycles ( using dechlorinated water ). i think it took me 3 weeks. if you have the time i would cycle tank before adding fry because its so much easier ! lol
oh and i wouldnt put gravel in fry tank if i were you, i ended up taking mine out because they like to bury themselves.and its easier to clean.
ps
dont take all your established filter media out, you will get a mini cycle going on. also you can take an ornament out of established tank to help

 

[MissFishy]

Take a look at the article on "established media method" on the site listed in my signature, you basically take some of your old tank decor and filter media and put it in the new tank for an instant cycle.

 

[stacic8679]

why will he kill you? because you are getting another tank? or because you are moving the fry?

He will kill me because I am getting another tank. I have just really decided I truly enjoy fish keeping.

SO do you think a 10g will be too big? I have about 20 mickey mouse platy fry. They are only about 2 days old.

If I don't use gravel what should I put on the bottom of the tank?

 

[bmoraski]

you dont need to put anything in the bottom.
they WILL bury themselves no matter how small, unless you put sand. lol

 

[bmoraski]

and i dont think a 10gal is to big , but eventually you may have more fish than you know what to do with.

 

[Newman]

...and thats when you must start giving the away to friends or LFS'
OR get an oscar.

 

[stacic8679]

I have a few friends that want some of these when they get big enough so I don't think that will be a problem.

Here's another question. How am I supposed to keep the plants on the ground if I don't use gravel to hold them down? Is sand an option?

 

[Newman]

With a plant weight ._.

You know, the steel or lead strips they use to keep bunched live plants together with. They also sell plant weights in packages at LFS.

Sand is an option, but youll need a thick layer so that you can push the plant stem as deep as it can go.

Or you can just use plastic plants, and float some live hornwort at the top.

 

[MrParker]

i personally love sand