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Filters for Fry

Aquaria
By josh
from the josh department, Section Ask Guppylog
Posted on Fri Nov 19, 2004 at 12:59:30 AM PST
Hi! In my ten gallon aquarium which I use for fry, I use an aqua-clear mini-filter and the fry seem to get sucked up. I put clean rinsed gauze over it so they don't get sucked up, but that makes the water a little dirtier. what kind of filter is best for fry?



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Filters for Fry | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
Re: Filters for Fry (none / 0) (#6)
by ballerina on Sat May 20, 2006 at 07:06:08 PM PST

In my 20 gal. tank i have bought a 2 way breeder (it is smaller than the other ones. there are 3way breeders too) it floats in the tank and has vents so the water can flow through. it makes it so the vater can still be somewhat filtered but the fry don't get sucked up! i only have 2 2month fry in it so i don't know if a 2 way will work for your fry. if you have more fry you might want to use the 3 way as the fry get older.
"Here fishie, fishie, fishie."-Man fishing for guppies "What do you honsetly think I'm as stupid as you?"-Guppy


Re: Filters for Fry (none / 1) (#4)
by maggie1270 on Fri Nov 19, 2004 at 08:22:34 AM PST

What I do is for newborn fry, I purchase disposable filters in which the holder you keep but once a month you replace the filter cartridge.  This type of filter connects to your air pump so it also provides water circulation.  As soon as the fry are strong and old enough to withstand the current of the permanent filter I switch it back.  That way, especially with my eyesight, I won't lose any sleep (or fry) worrying if they are going to be sucked up and lost.
Maggie


Re: Filters for Fry (none / 1) (#3)
by everb on Thu Nov 18, 2004 at 08:58:18 PM PST

I use a standard power filter in my fry tank.  The key is to keep the fry away from it.  A standard aquarium divider available at any LFS does the job nicely.  The filter still cleans the water well but doesnt suck up fry. Just make sure to check that the fry havent found a way to get into the filter area.  They do every once in a while in my fry tank but I usually manage to net them back into the proper part of the tank before anything happens to them.  Its a cheap way to save a lot of fish.  The divider I have cost about 8 bucks.
"Man hates those to whom he feels the need to lie."


Fry Friendly Filters (none / 1) (#2)
by unclescott on Thu Nov 18, 2004 at 07:53:46 PM PST

Is that gauze a medicinal gauze? Would there
be anything in there designed to kill bacteria which could harm the fry? Also, do they make gauze out of synthetics these days or are they still making them out of sterilized cotton? It is a clever idea - sort of like using stocking material, but may present dangers of another sort. There is also chance the fry would get pinned to the material by the flow, at least for a while.

Once a student of mine tried cotton balls as filter box material. He couldn't believe how cloudy the tank got as the cotton began to rot. That mess also happened surprisingly fast. Fortunately he got the cotton out and did a couple large partial water changes before his fish were hurt.

The safest fry-compatible filter would be one of those standing Hydro-Sponges sponge filters such as Ken's sells. (See the add on this site or also   http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/FILTRATION/Hydro-Sponge_Filters/hydro-sponge_filters.html I prefer the small Jungle style sponge filters - though others claim that fish have been crushed and suffocated under them. My guess is that the fish died and were pulled there.

(Quite a few filters have been blamed for fish deaths. Most of the time the dead or dying fish were pulled there by the current when it was "all over" for the fish.)

In addition to being great biological filters, sponge filters also are a source of food for fry. You will see fry picking at them as they graze for  rotifers and other micro-foods.

Just as safe, would be corner box filters with the tops off. Certainly fry get caught in plastic box filters, but seldom are hurt in that they feed on passing food until the aquarist sees them and opens the box.

In a 15-gallon tank we have an Ovation Submersible power filter. That is made by Supreme. I think that there is at least one German company which makes a similar filter. It is basically an encased  small power filter which draws the water through a little sponge and returns it to the tank. Judging by the numbers of small Poecilia (Limia) melanotaenia cruising around the tank, the filter isn't making a dent in their numbers. ;)

Some power and canister filters are adjustable and can be turned down. Others can be moderated by attaching extender tubes to their intake. It may be possible to buy these tubes with slots. Some aquarists have taken a drill and fixture and drilled lots of tiny holes in them.

That may actually make those filters more effective! Some power filters pull the water past the filter media so fast not much chemical or biological filtration can take place. Slowing the flow may actually make them more efficient.

On the whole, if you would check with aquarists who raise a lot of livebearer or killifish fry, you would find that they mostly use sponge and box filters powered by the air from one pump. (Linear Piston pumps or Linear Piston Air Compressors are considered the most efficient and cheapest to run these days for a lot of tanks.) While that may be a realistic adjustment to caring for 50 to even 300 tanks, the sponges and plastic box filters still do the trick.

They all depend upon weekly to daily partial water changes for the rapid growth in their fry anyway.

All the best!
unc;e



Re: Fry Friendly Filters (none / 0) (#5)
by allis64 on Mon Jan 03, 2005 at 10:59:16 AM PST

The best way to go for fry is to use a "sponge filter."  They only cost a few dollars, and attach to an airpump.  Your Aquaclear (which I love and use in all my other tanks) employs a sponge block.  This is essentially what a sponge filter is.  It is a sponge block with a plastic tube down the center, with an airstone down inside the tube.  As the air from the airstone rises, water is carried to the surface, and water from the tank is drawn through the sponge to replace it.  You care for it the same way you do the sponge block in The Aquaclear.  They sell them in many sizes, and are gentle enough to be used for any size fry. Most breeders rely on them. My fry sometimes pick at the sponge, eating whatever microscopic food they are finding there. Any good aquarium store should sell them, or you can get them online.  I'm not sure, but I think petguys.com might sell them.  The big chain stores don't carry them.

[ Parent ]


Re: Filters for Fry (none / 1) (#1)
by miskairal on Thu Nov 18, 2004 at 07:24:02 PM PST

I've got the same filter as you on the same sized tank Josh and also have the gauze over the intake but the water stays nice and clean with weekly water changes.

I've raised over 200 fry in that tank and the only fish to die was one that had a siamese twin (according to a pic I found in Andrews, Exell and Carrington) attached and he lived until about 4 months old.

Cheers
miskairal
--
Repeat after me,
I will read the Immediate Help



Filters for Fry | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
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