Any Substitutions for a Breeding Cone???

[Royal_Discus]

i don't have a breeding cone and i don't think one is neccesary really, but i would like to know what other people out there have tried as a substitution that has worked well??? or maybe a list of what will work.



thank you.

[oodi]

We've used slate tile, cut to 12" x 3" and set to lean against the side of the tank. We've also used a rose pot turned upside down in the tank. Some folks use pvs pipe that is attached to a piece of tile to weigh it down. There may be some other suggestions, but hope these help for now.

Judi

[devonpond]

Thick PVC pipe oriented vertically in the water is a cheap DIY project.

Photo here

Another pic

A-frame style popular in Asia

[LizStreithorst]

I like the PVC glued to a tile, but if the fish want to lay they'll find a place. The tank glass works well if they have nothing else

[alexander116]

mine just spawned on a slate....but as mentioned above a PVC pipe can also be a good substitute. However remember not to leave your heater in a vertical position as the female might want to lay her eggs on it and thus damaging her ovipositor.

[Royal_Discus]

yes i think i will try the PVC then. at the LFS where the pair that i got had spawned they laid their eggs on a PVC pipe that was used as an overflow.

thanks for the help. also do i have to put the PVC at a certain angle or should it just be straight up??


thanks

[LizStreithorst]

Straight up works fine. A piece of vertical driftwood works well, too. I think they like the rougher texture.

[troyclark]

I have tried the PVC, slate, and flower pots but all my fish prefer to lay their eggs on the glass. Oh well, it saves room in the tank, is easier to keep clean without anything extra in the tank and its what they feel more comfortable doing. I am not going to artificially raise any fry so I don't need to remove the eggs anyway. I just let them do what they want.

Troy

[Alight]

Dick Au swears by glazed bricks. Nice surface, heavy enough not to be knocked around, and don't take up too much space.

I haven't been able to find them easily, so I use clay flower pots and pieces of tile (you can buy nice strips already cut to the right size and shape at Home Depot). These need a rock to help stabilize them, or the Discus will knock them flat in the tank.

[Rod]

I use clay flower pots.

[pcsb23]

clay pots, clay tiles, even ordinary dinner plates (don't ask!!) and the sides of the tank have all worked at some time for me, oh and uplift tubes for cannister filters!

[White Worm]

Lets go ahead and add to the list...heaters. I have a new pair that refuse to lay anywhere else. I will have to put a heater in there that isnt working so they can lay eggs on it, lol, and have the other heater at the other end that does work behind the sponge filter. I tried putting it horizontal after she laid eggs but she would just not leave it alone. Have you seen a discus try to lay eggs upside down on a horizontal heater? I have. The male at first looked at her like she was crazy and then said "what the heck" he then went to making his runs upside down on the under side of the heater. By the way, I have a cone sitting in the middle of the tank.

[Royal_Discus]

ok thanks... i do know that this particual pair has spawned in the side of the glass and on a PVC pipe so ill try the PVC and see how it goes. thanks.......

oh and also has anyone tried beer bottles??? lol sounds crazy but can it work???

[Squiggy]

I have a few wine bottles that I was going to try.....

Joe

[Canadian_velvet]

Wine bottles seems like it could work.. smooth and straight. I might fill it with pebbles so it isn't tippy and the small top opening isn't going to be a gunk collector.
I have used pvc, slate, flowerpots, but my biggest problem is that anything with a bit of space underneath it like that seems to have a "magnetic" attraction for any uneaten food and poops getting trapped under and going anoxic before syphoning..
I hate sticking a hose in there daily and fishing around/under objects when I am trying to get them in the mood.