CROWDED TANK

[merk175]

I've got probably over 100 fry that are about 4 weeks old in a 20 gallon tank. Clearly too many fish once they get a little bigger but seems ok at this point. Problem I'm having is cleaning the bottom. I typically use a 3/4 in. hose to clean the bottom but with so many fry in the tank, it's nearly impossible not to suck them up in the hose. Just looking for suggestions on what to use to clean the bottom. They aren't afraid of the hose and swim right in. No doubt it's not a heathly deal for them...

[William Palumbo]

Glenn, I have screen mesh over the end of my pvc syphon tube. It's the same mesh (gutter guard) that I use to screen the eggs. It's just held on with a rubberband, so I can take it off easily when I syphon the adult tanks...Bill

[merk175]

figured it was time for an update. Fry are now about a month old and doing quite well. Unfortunately I really don't have the tank space to deal with all of them so I'm trying to change water as often as possible and see how it goes. Here's a picture of them.

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/merk175/?action=view&current=fryat1month.jpg

[discuspaul]

Great looking clutch of young, and the parents look super - well done !

[dawrtw]

I use a smaller hose like the one on my icemaker. It makes it much easier to clean the bottom without sucking out the babies. Now you don't move the water as fast but you don't loose the babies.

[merk175]

Thought it was time for an update. Fry are now about seven weeks old and doing well. I split them up between two tanks so still crowded but better. Don't know what to do with all of the fish....maybe a Christmas present for everyone... :-). Here's some pics from today



http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/merk175/

[Second Hand Pat]

They look wonderful.

[wendy9722]

Dear Santa,

I wish I could have some new discus for my fish aquariums.

Thanks and God bless ya Santa,
Wendy

LOL LOL!!!

[Eddie]

They look great!

[Jennie]

ROTF!:)
Dear Santa,

I wish I could have some new discus for my fish aquariums.

Thanks and God bless ya Santa,
Wendy

LOL LOL!!!

[Keith Perkins]

Dear Santa,

I wish I could have some new discus for my fish aquariums.

Thanks and God bless ya Santa,
Wendy

LOL LOL!!!

Less than 300 miles from Long Island to Chambersburg, the reindeer ought to be able to handle that no problem. :)

And yes, they do look good.

[merk175]

thanks everyone. I've had discus for about 6 years now and it's the first time I've been able to raise fry. Always wanted it to happen and now that it did, I really don't know what to do with them all. I guess I could sell them but really don't want to get involved with shipping and all that stuff...thought about putting them on Craig's list for pickup..... Problem is they're probably too small to sell now and I don't have the room to grow them all out......... suggestions????

[wadewc]

Nice fry you have Glenn! Depends if you want people coming over the house or if you want to make a deal with a local fish store and sell them all at once and be done with it.

Wade

[Eddie]

Those are actually perfect for selling now IMO. Sell them as groups of 6 or more, or you might find someone who'd take the whole lot.

[Larry Bugg]

Sell them now. You will be surprised at how many people you will find locally to buy them.

[kaceyo]

I've sold fish at 1.5" a few times and people love to get them. They can get more than they would normaly be able to afford and raise them themselves to get the "picks of the litter".

[merk175]

sounds like I should try to sell them. The biggest ones are about the size of a quarter. I guess I'll put an ad on Craig's list. Any suggestions on price?

[kaceyo]

I sold the 1.5"rs for $10ea and gave a break if they bought over 10.

[merk175]

I'll put an add on Craig's list and see what happens.....

[Keith Perkins]

$10 bucks a piece, 6 for $50. Or, like was suggested, maybe you can find someone to buy the whole lot.

[nc0gnet0]

What are they eating? I would make sure their main staple isn't BBS before you sell them.

[kaceyo]

What are they eating? I would make sure their main staple isn't BBS before you sell them.
Good point. I make sure my fry are eating a number of OTC foods before selling them and let the buyers know what they are used to eating.

[mmorris]

I sell mine at two full inches (TL) for $18 each, $15 each for 10 or more. You might want to try Aquabid. Always remember the reputation you want to develop and sell only the ones you would keep for yourself.

[kaceyo]

I sell mine at two full inches (TL) for $18 each, $15 each for 10 or more. You might want to try Aquabid. Always remember the reputation you want to develop and sell only the ones you would keep for yourself.
Good advice. I always cull heavily to avoid raising sub par fish.

[mathao]

wow thats a lot of fish, i hope mine never breeds, i would have no where to put them.

[wendy9722]

Less than 300 miles from Long Island to Chambersburg, the reindeer ought to be able to handle that no problem. :)

And yes, they do look good.

Well Santa let me down. I didnt get any new discus. I guess it was too cold for them in the sleigh or I was a bad girl. LOL!

[Chad Adams]

sounds like I should try to sell them. The biggest ones are about the size of a quarter. I guess I'll put an ad on Craig's list. Any suggestions on price?

My policy for quarter to 1/2 dollar size has always been approximately 10% cost of adults.
Chad

[Keith Perkins]

Wendy, I certainly hope it was the latter. :D

[mmorris]

wow thats a lot of fish, i hope mine never breeds, i would have no where to put them.

My tanks. :cheesy:

[merk175]

I haven't been back to "simply" in a little while...I missed all the fun. The fry are really doing well. 2 months old now. I'll post some new pics the next chance I get

I'm not feeding them BBS anymore. They're eating golden pearls and beefheart. I just ordered some of the bigger golden pearl food as the 200-300 micron is too small now. They will eat the beefheart but they have a tough time tearing it apart. Planning on putting them up on Craigslist after the holidays are over. Also talked to a local shop and they're interested in selling them once they get a little bigger. I do need to unload some soon. Way too crowded in the tank which no doubt will prevent their growth.

Wendy.....sorry the jolly guy disappointed you. funny thing is my brother used to work in Chambersberg but was just recently transferred to Tenn. I could have sent him out with some for you....

[Eddie]

I haven't been back to "simply" in a little while...I missed all the fun. The fry are really doing well. 2 months old now. I'll post some new pics the next chance I get

I'm not feeding them BBS anymore. They're eating golden pearls and beefheart. I just ordered some of the bigger golden pearl food as the 200-300 micron is too small now. They will eat the beefheart but they have a tough time tearing it apart. Planning on putting them up on Craigslist after the holidays are over. Also talked to a local shop and they're interested in selling them once they get a little bigger. I do need to unload some soon. Way too crowded in the tank which no doubt will prevent their growth.

Wendy.....sorry the jolly guy disappointed you. funny thing is my brother used to work in Chambersberg but was just recently transferred to Tenn. I could have sent him out with some for you....


Glenn, reply to my PM!!! LOL

[merk175]

took a short video of the fry this morning. The video is the first picture on the photobucket folder. Sorry for the poor quality vidoe. Fry are two months old today......

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/merk175/?action=view&current=MVI_1864.mp4

[mmorris]

Nice job, Glenn! They look great!
Martha

[merk175]

Figured it was time for an update. I ended up selling close to 100 fish. Thanks to all for the suggestions on how to do that. I kept 7 fish and they're doing well. I've added some current photos of them. I've gotten some feedback from some of the people that bought fish and they all seem to be happy. Now I can concentrate on growing these out..... The process was a bit of work but well worth the effort and was quite a success. I guess I just got lucky. Here's the link to the pictures. Thanks again to all who contributed advice....much appreciated!!!

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/merk175/

[Keith Perkins]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the experience Glenn and that everything worked out well. Nothing wrong with having a little good luck. :)

[MattV.]

taking them to local fish shop is a good idea, most will give you cash or store credit. i just took about 100-120 angel fry to my local fish store for store credit. and you can still show up there every few days to check on them.

[merk175]

I sold almost half through the local shop and the rest on aquabid and craigslist. Worked out well. Now trying to decide if I put the parents back together and do it again...... got some nice looking blue turqs from that pair

[merk175]

haven't posted any updates in a few months so I figurred it was time. The seven fish I kept are doing well. Five of them are growing out nicely..... now about 4 inches or so. The other two aren't growing as well so I guess they'll be the runts. Thought about putting the parents back together but really don't have the time to take care of them if they were to spawn again. Might try again at the end of the summer. Thought I'd post a recent picture.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/merk175/IMG_2063.jpg

[Keith Perkins]

Looking good Glenn. I bet the folks you sold to are a bunch of happy campers.