fry grooming

[mattpadrigan]

1) what is the best way to do a 100% water change for newly hatched fry? unfortunately, the fake aquarium plants that my fish layed their eggs on was a bit dirty and did not clean before the eggs hatched. any suggestions?

2) how long after i feed boiled egg yolk do i change water before it fouls?

[Virginia ranchu]

Hi Matt,

I recommend feeding newly hatched bbs instead of boiled egg yolk. Once free swimming, your fry will have no trouble with the bbs, so the egg yolk step isn't really necessary. The boiled egg can yolk can foul your water pretty quickly. How soon you should do a water change depends on how the water looks. While you might lose a few fry in the process, you risk losing all of them if the water quality gets bad. I use a smaller diameter (1/2") piece of tubing which I hold close to the end, and I tap it on the bare bottom of the tank. This usually scares the fry away from the end. Some might suggest using a sponge or netting on the bottom of the siphon, but I still thinks it's necessary to remove debris like dead bbs or dead fry. If necessary, you can partly cover the end with your finger to stop the suction if fry get too close. I add Prime to the tank and then add water from the tap to refill. Be sure to match the water temps as closely as possible. You will probably siphon a few fry at first, so be sure to check your bucket before dumping.

Good luck with them!

Rob

[harzan]

One thing I can add to that is....

Buy a Turkey baster to remove the clumps of dead brine before you start to remove water.

If you are feeding too much, your water spoils way too fast. I feed very little initially and try to use a small bowl or tub that has slime or preferably algae on the sides to help with water quality.

The more you change the water, that is real pain, you will want to have to change it less and less. Just watch your feeding.

Have fun!:)

[Cincy Ranchu]

Get a 1/2" piece of plastic tubing and someglass wool, like you use in a box filter. Put a quarter sized chunk on the end of your hose with a rubber band and siphon off the tank. You can actually brush up against the dirt and it will hang in the filter floss.

Works great