clown breeding setup

[567234ta]

Might as well make a build thread here since others have an interest in breeding clowns as well.
Always looking for feedback on how to do it better also.

the start area in my garage, i figured this closet was just a waste of space anyways. My plan is for having 4, 40 breeders with dividers in them except one will be full tank for a pair of maroons.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1207120020.jpg
tear out
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1221121712.jpg
what a mess
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1221121906.jpg
torn out
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1221122106a.jpg
wiring and insulation done
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1223121810.jpg
drywall is just such a joy for me after being a hanger/finisher for several years commercially and residential.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1229122023.jpg

ill keep it updated :)

[567234ta]

todays progress
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1231121841.jpg

[Jawbone flats]

I have a similar setup for clowns in my garage I am setting up I am using these 24x48 shelving units from home depot (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=203800338&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-NavPLPHorizontal1-3-_-NA-_-203800338-_-N#.UOJQxXeTmUk) and I just build the tanks out of glass.

I omit one of the shelves and just run four shelves - upper shelf for storage and then three shelves for tanks. I am putting together six total tanks for the clowns with staging areas in them for the various fry stages and so I have two of these shelf units. ( also I replaced the wooden shelving they provided with some plywood I appropriated from work... I am pretty sure they were done with it)

that part is easy..
what I really want to do or I should say I am stuck on. is make phytoplankton and rotifer grow tanks that are not plastic bottles -- I am pretty handy with acrylic too so I am sorta still in the design stage on this part. and then I will also use the same system for my brine shrimp.

I am considering taking this part to my gardening shed because I am worried about the smell. ( wife will kill me if this stuff stinks up our house )

[567234ta]

Wow cool, can't wait to see some pics of your setup. I bet that brine will stink awful :( a small 5 gallon tank of it stunk up the entire LFS lol
I am planning on an acrylic sump at some point which ill have to build myself. I had one built for me here locally and it took 4 attempts to seal it from leaking haha. Once a seam isnt bonded well, and is just saw cut they are terrible to try and fix.
Where do you get your glass for making tanks?

[Jawbone flats]

I just call a couple of local glass shops and get whatever todays price is. it seems to change all the time.
and for the plastic we have an Interstate Plastics store in town

one suggestion I might make... since you are into the whole carpentry thing.. you might want to enclose the area for the tanks... I only say this because my garage is not air conditioned for summer or heated for winter.. so I run a chiller in the summer ( my sump and frag tanks are in the garage also ) and in the winter I run a large space heater just to keep it around 60 degrees.
If I did not heat the garage the temperature swings in my system would be crazy because we get -8 at night over here.

[coraltastic]

Way cool I am building one myself.

[Tmoriarty]

@jawbone

One thing I would suggest if you are doing the brine for the fry is to avoid it. Some breeders still do use BBS as one of the feeding steps, I and many other breeders however now completly skip it and go straight to OtoA. What I was told, and have since experienced my self is that it is very easy to get them on Oto from rotifers, I had 0 Losses on my last spawn after day 3 so the Oto def works.

Not to mention it is one less thing you have to spend time culturing and caring for.

[Jawbone flats]

Sounds great to me.

any input on phyto and rotifer stations. we all could use some info on this I think

[567234ta]

I just call a couple of local glass shops and get whatever todays price is. it seems to change all the time.
and for the plastic we have an Interstate Plastics store in town

one suggestion I might make... since you are into the whole carpentry thing.. you might want to enclose the area for the tanks... I only say this because my garage is not air conditioned for summer or heated for winter.. so I run a chiller in the summer ( my sump and frag tanks are in the garage also ) and in the winter I run a large space heater just to keep it around 60 degrees.
If I did not heat the garage the temperature swings in my system would be crazy because we get -8 at night over here.

I have a mr.plastic a couple blocks from me which is great to get the acrylic but they dont do super high quality builds, cheap as dirt but almost guaranteed to leak. I'll just get the acrylic from them and build anything i need myself also.
I run ac in the garage and heat in the winter. I insulated my garage door which helped a lot. I'll eventually have all the outside walls insulated as i continue with the drywall. To much stuff in the way right now though so i have to do a little at a time.
I have about 1200 gallons of water in tubs setup in my garage which really helps keep the temps in there stabilized also.

[woodnaquanut]

@567234ta:
You might consider moving/restarting this thread in the 'The Fish Breeding Forum'. You might get more traffic there.

Nice job on the 'closet'. Great to hear someone likes drywall. I HATE it. :)

When you divide the 40b tanks are you using an opaque divider? I don't think the pairs will like seeing other pairs. I have read that it's best to paint 3 of the tank sides black so the pairs aren't distracted.

Most folks seem to use multiple smaller tanks plumbed into a common sump. Gives more options and is easy to do water changes and heat.

Have you seen Tal Sweet's breeding setup (www.fishtalpropagations.com)?

Another option is to use artificial algae to feed rotifers. Another 'one less thing' to culture!

And lastly (for now)...
If you don't have your tanks yet, Petco is having their $1/gal sale now till 1/19. Time to stock up! :dance:

[567234ta]

@567234ta:
You might consider moving/restarting this thread in the 'The Fish Breeding Forum'. You might get more traffic there.

Nice job on the 'closet'. Great to hear someone likes drywall. I HATE it. :)

When you divide the 40b tanks are you using an opaque divider? I don't think the pairs will like seeing other pairs. I have read that it's best to paint 3 of the tank sides black so the pairs aren't distracted.

Most folks seem to use multiple smaller tanks plumbed into a common sump. Gives more options and is easy to do water changes and heat.

Have you seen Tal Sweet's breeding setup (www.fishtalpropagations.com)?

Another option is to use artificial algae to feed rotifers. Another 'one less thing' to culture!

And lastly (for now)...
If you don't have your tanks yet, Petco is having their $1/gal sale now till 1/19. Time to stock up! :dance:

I was being sarcastic!! drywall!! :headwalls: i think you were too LOL

That's where i got my tanks is from petco 1 per gallon sale. I have 2 more on order that im waiting for.
I'll use a black divider of 1/4" acrylic and have overflows on each side. I am gonna use a 75 gallon sump for now and eventually replace it with a custom acrylic one. The main reason for that is my 75 is tempered and i want to use an ext pump. The artificial algae sounds good as long as it's not too expensive, anything to save time is a good thing. i will paint the tanks 3 side black, but the plumbing will be behind since i have the room.

here are my clowns in their temporary apt complex.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/1206122314.jpg

[coraltastic]

That looks like a nice broodstock setup u have already got there.

[567234ta]

That looks like a nice broodstock setup u have already got there.

Thanks, it was what i had initally intended it for but it's just too small for them. Each pair only has about 10 gallons space. With the breeder tanks they will have 20 gallons each pair with sand, rock, anemone and a more natural environment. They will be much happier i think. I had that tank made but it started seeping water out of one of the seams, so i had to quickly rehouse the clowns into my sump with dividers:uhoh3:
They are all doing okay in there for now but it makes this a priority for sure.
I have since repaired the leak after 4 attempts, so i just use it for frags now.

the bottom seam has sawblade marks bad so it didn't seal well at all, my second attempt i popped it open with a razor and resealed it with the glue. still leaked. 3rd try added more glue and a small piece on the outside glued over the seam, still had a very slow leak. 4th time i ran a bead of silicone along the entire front seam, no leaks so far :)

[woodnaquanut]

I was being sarcastic!! drywall!! :headwalls: i think you were too LOL

That's where i got my tanks is from petco 1 per gallon sale. I have 2 more on order that im waiting for.
I'll use a black divider of 1/4" acrylic and have overflows on each side. I am gonna use a 75 gallon sump for now and eventually replace it with a custom acrylic one. The main reason for that is my 75 is tempered and i want to use an ext pump. The artificial algae sounds good as long as it's not too expensive, anything to save time is a good thing. i will paint the tanks 3 side black, but the plumbing will be behind since i have the room.


I thought you were being serious about liking drywall! I was going with the 'different strokes for different folks' philosophy. :lol2:

Reed mariculture is a good source of 'instant algae'. I mistakenly called it artificial. It's real algae, just not live. It has a shelf life of 2 yrs. when frozen. (www.reed-mariculture.com). These are the same folks that make the 'Reef Nutrition' line for retail sales.

How big is your 'closet'? I'm VERY jealous of the space you have. Getting the plumbing on the back would be much better. Tal is working in a very small space!

[567234ta]

I thought you were being serious about liking drywall! I was going with the 'different strokes for different folks' philosophy. :lol2:

Reed mariculture is a good source of 'instant algae'. I mistakenly called it artificial. It's real algae, just not live. It has a shelf life of 2 yrs. when frozen. (www.reed-mariculture.com). These are the same folks that make the 'Reef Nutrition' line for retail sales.

How big is your 'closet'? I'm VERY jealous of the space you have. Getting the plumbing on the back would be much better. Tal is working in a very small space!

I hung drywall for about 3 years than worked as a finisher for about 4 years. One of the worst jobs ever.:lol:
The cove is about 4'x7'4"x 9' tall. I could have a 3rd row of tanks if i didn't mind having to go up 8 feet to feed lol.

I was planning on getting some rotifers from them when i get that part setup. I don't expect the clowns to lay eggs right away anyways, it may take years realistically. I'll probably be setup with tanks and airpumps and all that but wont start cultures until i see eggs.

[woodnaquanut]

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Once they start, eggs will come on a regular schedule. Even if you miss the first couple of clutches there will be more! And MORE, and MORE...

What's your plan for the offspring? Are there lots of LFS around you? I looked at google maps and you seem to be a long way from everywhere! ;)

[woodnaquanut]

Double post! Oh NO.

RC is so slow...........................

[567234ta]

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Once they start, eggs will come on a regular schedule. Even if you miss the first couple of clutches there will be more! And MORE, and MORE...

What's your plan for the offspring? Are there lots of LFS around you? I looked at google maps and you seem to be a long way from everywhere! ;)

I am gonna have 2 tanks indoors for grow outs, 1 is a 20 gallon ill use with a 40 breeder sump, and a 350-400 gallon i'll eventually have in the wall.
That way the family can see the babies. i'll probably have to sell them online as the LFS's here would pretty much be a death sentence. I got a little further with the project but i have very limited time i can actually work on it as i have a 18 m/o lil girl.

todays progress pics, trying to keep everything very basic and simplistic, that usually works for me.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0101131802.jpg
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0101132127.jpg

[567234ta]

progress
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0102132257.jpg

[coraltastic]

Nice progress

[Tmoriarty]

I prefer the frozen algae from reeds, $66 bucks gets you one liter of concentrated rotigrow+ which will last you about 6 months feeding two buckets worth of rotifers. I prefer not to run my own algae cultures as you would have to enrich them before feeding to the rotifers anyways which is just another step I don't want in my busy life.

Rotifers survive just fine for me at 1.018 in 5 gallon buckets with an airstone (or rigid airline, either works). A small heater to keep them at 70-80 (although if the garage is heated/cooled I wouldn't bother with the heater).

[567234ta]

Progress-
got the shelves ready for plumbing, ill cut all my holes then paint another coat on everything just so it is all completely sealed with no bare wood exposed. I caulked every little crevice and crack to keep moisture from having a place to build up mildew.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0111131847.jpg
got the tanks all drilled and dividers installed. still waiting on one tank ordered from petco.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0111131846.jpg
Decided this 75 gallon tank was not big enough to setup the sump the way i want it to operate, so im having an acrylic sump custom made which should be done by next friday.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0108132328.jpg

[coraltastic]

Looking good

[567234ta]

Small progress update-
Got the overflows made and installed in the 3 tanks, when i finally get the 4th it will all be ready to install anyways.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0112132243.jpg
I didn't want teeth on my overflows because they impede the surface skim so much, this will keep it much cleaner im sure, I really don't have problem with the fish going over them once acclimated into their home but if i have to i can put a screen guard over it and still not disrupt the skim capability.
I put a screen on the bulkhead with a ziptie just to be safe so if anyone does jump they wont end up in the filter sock.

http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0112132221a.jpg

[Lou Young]

Nice thread. I am following along and taking notes to do my own build. What type of paint did you use on the shelves?

[567234ta]

Nice thread. I am following along and taking notes to do my own build. What type of paint did you use on the shelves?

Behr satin finish acrylic latex.

[567234ta]

so im starting the plumbing on the tanks, right now the dividers in each tank are completely sealed, so one side could be full and the other dry. I am thinking i should at least drill a couple relief holes in them for water to pass through just incase. I dont think the acrylic panel would hold in place if one side was full and the other empty.
You think I should drill them or not worry about it?
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0114131538.jpg

[567234ta]

progress :)
just waiting on the sump to get done now.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0115132308.jpg

[567234ta]

Got all the aqua scaping done in the tanks.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0214132108a.jpg

And i finally got the sump!
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0215131246a.jpg
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0215131249b.jpg

They did a really nice job on it. wont be long now hopefully :)

[spsfreak1977]

Great job there

[monkiboy]

i'm following along! thanks for the photos and process notes. please keep it up and post as much detail as possible. great job thus far!

[567234ta]

got a little more done today on the sump. :)
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0216132324a.jpg

[567234ta]

got it into place and a little water in it, no leaks
still got to install 2 bulkheads on it, 1 for water change and 1 for overflow that will go to the drain. All my wiring needs installed, reef keeper, tunze osomolater, refuge light,glue on a little probe mount. Just a lot of small things but as soon as i make enough water it can start cycling.
http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/1/0218130040.jpg

[Xadieu]

wow crazy, really nice set up!!...what are you planning to do with all the clowns make your own hatchery? :P

[567234ta]

wow crazy, really nice set up!!...what are you planning to do with all the clowns make your own hatchery? :P

sell them and trade them hopefully, It's better to buy tank bred and leave the oceans alone.

[monkiboy]

sell them and trade them hopefully, It's better to buy tank bred and leave the oceans alone.

+1 and avoid brookynella, too.

[567234ta]

update-
The panworld was too weak to push all 4 tanks, so i ordered a reeflo tiger shark, Got my 2" hole cut over the 1" in the sump, all hooked up nicely, go to plug it in and the spades on the plug are sideways:mad2: It said nothing about it being 220v on BRS, I guess i shouldn't just assume. So i had to quickly run a 220v line to the area lol.
The tiger shark is too much pump, heats the water like a 800 watt heater on full blast and is extremely loud. Decided to try a reeflo snapper dart hybrid which should be here today.

[mwilliams62]

Very nice build going on here.

[NanoJosh]

Tagging along what's the breeding temp of the clowns

[567234ta]

Tagging along what's the breeding temp of the clowns

it's been as high as 84 because of the pump, changing it out today :)

[Willster]

Any updates??

[567234ta]

setup is running great ill get a pic of it up as soon as i can. still just getting by with what ever i can find lighting lol