Pat's Challenger Growout Thread

[Second Hand Pat]

Sort of falling into a routine with these guys; several small feedings a day (FDBWs fines and Al's crumble which came with the fry). They definitely prefer the fines over the crumble. A water change midday and one at night...50 to 90%. Still doing the bucket/pitcher water changes but I am eyeballing a length of 1/2 inch vinyl hosing which is the perfect length. Just need to clean up the pump and I am good to go.

Starting to see quite a bit of pushing so the aggression is amping up and lots of little tiny poops are the normal when siphoning out the tank. Here's a vid of the pushing.



I taped a nickel to the side of the glass to hopefully show growth over time.

IMG_1940.jpg

Pat

[danotaylor]

they look great Pat! Clever idea with the nickel

[Second Hand Pat]

they look great Pat! Clever idea with the nickel

Thanks Daniel, I have done that previously with fry. I will be happy to replace that with a quarter when the time comes.
Pat

[Pices]

I’m really enjoying this thread especially all your innovative ideas. Your videos and pics are excellent. It must feel rewarding to see how spunky they are.
Patty

[Second Hand Pat]

I’m really enjoying this thread especially all your innovative ideas. Your videos and pics are excellent. It must feel rewarding to see how spunky they are.
Patty

Thank you Patty Yes, I love it when fry are doing well.

I have another idea to share with you Bill. I cleaned up my pump so I could add water directly to the tank vs the pitcher. I have a length of 1/2 vinyl hose which is the perfect length. So I have a small square of black foam very similar to what Al sent with the fry. The foam has a fairly open pore and about three inches (or so) thick. I pressed the foam against the glass in the fry tank with the end of the hose pressed into the foam and turned on the water. Worked perfect for not have water going all over the tank. Now I do have a button which controls turning on and off the pump. No more pitcher fills! One last note, be sure the foam is clean otherwise you have gunk all over the tank.
Pat

[Tshethar]

Thanks, Pat... That's a good idea and I just bought some Poret to use in different applications (along with my mini cube filter), so I might give that a try. I'm still kind of happy with my colander, though... my time is more limited midweek so I have to pick and choose what, if anything, I can play around with... Glad you found a way to save yourself some time and not stress out the fish!

[Second Hand Pat]

Did a 90+ water change midday and here's how the hose end in a bit of foam looks. The reason for this is so the fry aren't dealing with a lot of current.

IMG_1946.jpg

[Second Hand Pat]

Hey Al smirk at this

[jeep]

That's it! I'm getting some tea!!!

[Pices]

Did a 90+ water change midday and here's how the hose end in a bit of foam looks. The reason for this is so the fry aren't dealing with a lot of current.

IMG_1946.jpg

I love this! You are an idea gal!
Patty

[rickztahone]

That's it! I'm getting some tea!!!

So you can sit and watch the tank whilst you sip tea? Lol

[jeep]

So you can sit and watch the tank whilst you sip tea? Lol

Her fish drink it as well It makes them hungry

[Second Hand Pat]

I love this! You are an idea gal!
Patty

Thanks Patty
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Her fish drink it as well It makes them hungry

[Second Hand Pat]

So the fry were looking great today. I went to put them to bed and saw this.



I am not sure what is going on unless the guy got a bit of FDBW which was not fully hydrated. All the FDBW bit sunk on to the bottom so do not think is it. Perhaps it ate too much? I went back after the video and it looked better. Hopefully all will be well in the morning.
Pat