Nipping started, time to move to larger tanks.

[usafaux2004]

I'm at 1month+2 to 6 days. All on bloodworms now. Noticed a few short rear legs, which weren't there before. I have three 2.5 gallon tanks to use, have to house 22 axies, 7 wilds, 7 albino, 8 leucistics. So far I have them in 6 smaller containers with 3-4 each, separated by type.

The real question is...cleaning the tanks. Do I still do full water changes? Clean the glass? Or partial+bloodworm removal is enough? What's a good way to catch 1.5-2" axies if I need to move them for cleaning? Obviously moving them from a tank is harder than glass containers of a smaller type.

 

[auntiejude]

If you have a filter and cycled your tanks you should only need to partial water changes - no filter means larger more frequent changes. I'm guessing at 4-5 weeks your guys aren't big enough to cope with flow from a filter.

At that size mine were in 5L tubs in groups of 8-10, and I had no problems with nipping. With my 5L ones it wasn't too hard to move the babies to a clean tub, but you can get away with 80% water changes if you have larger tanks, just keep an eye on your water quality. You can wipe down tank sides with axies still in - I use sturdy paper towels.

I would also think about mixing up your types - if you have a problem in one tank that has all your albinos in you could lose all your albinos in one hit.

I move my babies by hand or net.

 

[usafaux2004]

How many inches of water?

 

[auntiejude]

Up to you.

I had my babies in about 3" of water at one month. They are now 4-5" and in a full 9" high tank. I am of the opinion that if they are seeking air then a depth of 2-3 times their length is OK.

But the more water you have the easier it is to maintain water quality.

What are the dimensions of your 2.5gal tanks?

 

[bugdozer]

I found that at that age, the easiest way to transfer them was dip a glass into the water and gently swirl them into it.

 

[usafaux2004]

I found that at that age, the easiest way to transfer them was dip a glass into the water and gently swirl them into it.

These little buggers don't like to be herded much...

 

[usafaux2004]

Up to you.

I had my babies in about 3" of water at one month. They are now 4-5" and in a full 9" high tank. I am of the opinion that if they are seeking air then a depth of 2-3 times their length is OK.

But the more water you have the easier it is to maintain water quality.

What are the dimensions of your 2.5gal tanks?

If I found the right one online, 12x6x8".

 

[auntiejude]

So you can make the depth of your tanks about 3x the length of your axies - and top up as they grow.

 

[usafaux2004]

Ok, yesterday they went into the tanks, 5,7,7,7 proportions. Now I have to clean. Get all bloodworm leftovers, do an almost full water change? Push all to one end, clean the glass, repeat with other side? Or move all and do full change. I've been borrowing water from the parents tank and topping it off daily. I'm thinking for 4 tanks I'm taking out 3 gallons daily from the parents. Is that an issue? Parents in a 20 gallon right now.

I also have a 5 gallon bucket to age water in, and declorinator stuff (no chlorine in our water though) to use, but have no idea how to properly age the water. Any guides/help appreciated.

Also, some of mine are now huge compared to others...maybe 2.25-2.5 inches while others are at 1.5-2". What size do I start rehoming at?