Chrona
03-01-2007, 10:57 PM
Your guppy get knocked up? Have nowhere to put the fry? Don't fret, this DIY fry divider will work for any size tank, and will hold you over until you can get a larger tank. More aesthetically pleasing that a breeding cage, this project will cost you a few bucks (or nothing if you have scrap plexiglass at home), and take about 30 minutes to make. It is also a better long term solution unless you have a really big breeder net.
Some pictures first so you know what I'm talking about.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5945/dsc0339sc3.th.jpg (http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0339sc3.jpg)
The grooves at the top
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/468/dsc0340zp8.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0340zp8.jpg)
NOTE: If you get what I did just from the pictures, then there is no need to read the rest of this! lol
First, measure the distance from the bottom of the tank (the bottom glass) to the upper lip of the tank (if you have a lipless tank, then just measure it to 1/2 inch from the edge. Subtract 1/2 inch from this. This is the height you will be using. It doesn't not reach all the way to the bottom, so that with some substrate underneath it, the top edge of the plate is snug against the lip of the tank. Now figure how much space you will need for your fry in gallons (or less than a gallon for very few fry) Keep in mind that the barrier will be very permeable, so the 1 inch per fish rule does not apply. The fry only need enough space to be fairly comfortable and have some space to move around in.
Then, use the aquarium calculator, found here:
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/volume-calculator.html
The height is the height you measured. Width and length should be the same number. Play around with the number until you get TWICE your desired volume. This is because the divider will sit in a corner, and the shape will be a triangular prism, not a rectangle. Note the length and width. Get a calculator and multiply this value by 1.4. This is the width you need to cut your plexiglass to.
Now for the actual construction. This is easy.
1) Cut a sheet of plexiglass to the desired size. The best way to do this is to score it heavily with a sharp knife, using a metal ruler as a guide, then put the score line on a table edge so it snaps cleanly. IMPORTANT: This is absolutely crucial. The sides of the cut shape must be EXACTLY square, meaning 90 degree angles. Use a square or something. If your divider is off kilter, keeping your small fry in it will be a PITA.
2) Drill holes. Hole sizes can vary from 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch. You don't want to go much bigger. Smaller holes means you will need to drill more of them. Drill LOTS of holes. This is the most time-consuming part.
3) Cut two grooves at the top edge of the plate, as seen in the second picture. They should converge slightly, or the rubber band will slip out. You can use any kind of saw.
4) Slide it into the tank. Bury it just far enough into the gravel so the top edge is snug against the lip of the tank. Put a rubber band around the grooves made, and loop the other end around the corner of the fish tank. Yes, it will hold, trust me.
5) Pour fish in
6) Every day or so, I pour a cup of water from the main part of the tank into the divided part. This essentially flushes out any dissolved waste.
Note that this works better if you put it in a corner with high flow. My HOB filter causes a current right in that corner, so the water in there gets lots of circulation.
Well, that's my two cents. I guess you could also cut the interior of the plate out and silicone some netting instead for better flow, but my goal was to have a functional divider that wasn't an eyesore. Also, I only have four fry in there, so it's not needed. The benefit of having a clear divider like this is that all the other fish in the tank will get accustomed to the fry and vice versa. When I actually release them into the tank, I will be able to see if this helped or not, depending on my angelfish's reaction.
And yes, this post probably took me longer to make than that divider.
Some pictures first so you know what I'm talking about.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5945/dsc0339sc3.th.jpg (http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0339sc3.jpg)
The grooves at the top
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/468/dsc0340zp8.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0340zp8.jpg)
NOTE: If you get what I did just from the pictures, then there is no need to read the rest of this! lol
First, measure the distance from the bottom of the tank (the bottom glass) to the upper lip of the tank (if you have a lipless tank, then just measure it to 1/2 inch from the edge. Subtract 1/2 inch from this. This is the height you will be using. It doesn't not reach all the way to the bottom, so that with some substrate underneath it, the top edge of the plate is snug against the lip of the tank. Now figure how much space you will need for your fry in gallons (or less than a gallon for very few fry) Keep in mind that the barrier will be very permeable, so the 1 inch per fish rule does not apply. The fry only need enough space to be fairly comfortable and have some space to move around in.
Then, use the aquarium calculator, found here:
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/volume-calculator.html
The height is the height you measured. Width and length should be the same number. Play around with the number until you get TWICE your desired volume. This is because the divider will sit in a corner, and the shape will be a triangular prism, not a rectangle. Note the length and width. Get a calculator and multiply this value by 1.4. This is the width you need to cut your plexiglass to.
Now for the actual construction. This is easy.
1) Cut a sheet of plexiglass to the desired size. The best way to do this is to score it heavily with a sharp knife, using a metal ruler as a guide, then put the score line on a table edge so it snaps cleanly. IMPORTANT: This is absolutely crucial. The sides of the cut shape must be EXACTLY square, meaning 90 degree angles. Use a square or something. If your divider is off kilter, keeping your small fry in it will be a PITA.
2) Drill holes. Hole sizes can vary from 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch. You don't want to go much bigger. Smaller holes means you will need to drill more of them. Drill LOTS of holes. This is the most time-consuming part.
3) Cut two grooves at the top edge of the plate, as seen in the second picture. They should converge slightly, or the rubber band will slip out. You can use any kind of saw.
4) Slide it into the tank. Bury it just far enough into the gravel so the top edge is snug against the lip of the tank. Put a rubber band around the grooves made, and loop the other end around the corner of the fish tank. Yes, it will hold, trust me.
5) Pour fish in
6) Every day or so, I pour a cup of water from the main part of the tank into the divided part. This essentially flushes out any dissolved waste.
Note that this works better if you put it in a corner with high flow. My HOB filter causes a current right in that corner, so the water in there gets lots of circulation.
Well, that's my two cents. I guess you could also cut the interior of the plate out and silicone some netting instead for better flow, but my goal was to have a functional divider that wasn't an eyesore. Also, I only have four fry in there, so it's not needed. The benefit of having a clear divider like this is that all the other fish in the tank will get accustomed to the fry and vice versa. When I actually release them into the tank, I will be able to see if this helped or not, depending on my angelfish's reaction.
And yes, this post probably took me longer to make than that divider.