ddwatson's Clown Fish Breeding Project

[ddwatson]

So I am new to reef2reef, but not the saltwater hobby. I recently decided to start breeding clownfish. I have 11 pair of clowns 8 breeding and 3 other bonded (Hope they lay soon !). The 8 were active breeders before I moved them to this new setup. It has been about 3 weeks and only one has laid (solomon Island Percs), but I expect it will take them just a bit to get comfortable again. In addition to the clowns I have a pair of banggai Cardinals as well.

The types of clowns are Ocellaris, Platinums, Black Ice, Darwins (black Ocis), Cinnamon, Gold Stripe Maroons, Blue Stripe, and Mochas.

I will update the thread in just a bit with the different setups. I look forward to your feedback!

 

[ddwatson]

So here is the broodstock setup. It is 12 tanks that are a variety of sizes. There are 29's, 20's, and 1 10. It is all plumbed together into a 40 gallon rubbermaid trough that I used as the sump. The sump is full of live rock and ceramic pieces. The drains go into socks. It has two different returns 1 for the upper level and one for the lower level. The return pumps are both Mag 18. It has an Eshopps skimmer. I have been debating about putting a 20 gallon bioball tower on this as well but have not decided. What are your thoughts?

 

[ddwatson]

Here is the Larvae system. Pretty simple. Not central filtration. Just 10 gallon tanks (painted on sides now) with heaters, air stones, and lights.

 

[ddwatson]

This is the grow out system. These are 39 gallon tanks. It was unfinished in the pic but has since been complete. It is all plumbed together. It drains into a 40 gallon brute trash can full of K1 Kaldness media with a maxijet inside to keep it moving. Then a bulkhead drains from this into the sump through a sock. In the sump is a reef octopus skimmer and liverock. Finally the return is a external reeflow dart. I will try and update this picture soon.

 

[ddwatson]

Final Pic. Complete setup pic. Alright get get the advice coming

!

 

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[Just Clownin Around]

Mop the floor before you slip

Only kidding

Looks good.
On your grow out system I would raise the returns out or off the bottom of the tanks. Potential syphon that can suck babies and tanks dry

 

[ddwatson]

Great point. I am going to cut them so they are just above the water line. I used an old return.

 

[CJO]

It's looking good. I wish I had time to put in something similar (but on a much smaller scale). My clowns just hatched their 5th batch of eggs last night. It's a bit sad to know that they were all likely eaten by this morning.

CJ

 

[c_healy]

Very nice.....I one day hope to have a pair of breeding clowns....may just buy a breeding pair as I am impatient lol.

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[CalmSeasQuest]

Great setup! Those of us in northern climates are jealous of your ability to keep tanks in your garage

 

[CALI DIPPIN]

Very nice.....I one day hope to have a pair of breeding clowns....may just buy a breeding pair as I am impatient lol.

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man goodluck with buying a breeding pair lol theyre pricey your looking at 1200-2000 bucls!

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ddwatson]

Great setup! Those of us in northern climates are jealous of your ability to keep tanks in your garage

Unfortunately even here I still have to heat and cool. Thank goodness for insulated GD.

 

[ddwatson]

It's looking good. I wish I had time to put in something similar (but on a much smaller scale). My clowns just hatched their 5th batch of eggs last night. It's a bit sad to know that they were all likely eaten by this morning.

CJ

Kind of strange they are still eating them all even at the 5th batch. What and how many times a day are you feeding them. The success rate on eggs has a lot to do with nutrition. I hardly ever have a pair eat their eggs unless they are new to breeding.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Great looking setup!

 

[ddwatson]

My platinums laid for first time tonight. I think this batch will be mostly eaten due to its the first but this is a great sign we are very excited. My Mocha's laid a good size clutch as well. My Occi's and SI Percs look to have healthy clutches. I am thinking we are going to be very busy within the next couple of months if they all start laying.
..

 

[twintrades]

Following this!

 

[ddwatson]

Video of set up

I hope this works. Here is a video of my setup for those of you that have been asking for one.

 

[twintrades]

Nope i get nada....

 

[ddwatson]

Ok lets try this again. Here is the Video!