want to set up a nursery tank

[mytoo8]

hi i want to set up a nursery tank, looking at a 5 gallon, something small. I have about 30 fry in a breeder trap and i just can't release them because i've fallen in love. I have a 75 gallon tank with tons of fish. I believe they are platy babies but i am soooooo new to this. I have only had the tank for 3 weeks. The babies are from two separate moms. one batch is 1 week old the other is one day. I am just not sure what to do with the new tank. I've read about bare bottoms do i need plant if i'm not going to put mom in the tank (i would rather just remove babies from big tank) How do i set up the new tank and how long til i can put the baby in (can i remove water from original tank and put babies in new one right away?) are they going to be ok in the breeder trap for the time it takes for new tank to be established. I would really appreciate detailed answers! (i also have two children who are counting on me to not kill the babies!)

thank you so much

 

[Plattypus5420]

Congrats on the new fry! I have a 10 gallon nursery tank set up, its a lot easier with a bare bottom to clean, especially with how often you have to clean it, i have two air stones for circulation, a filter with pantyhose cover so they do not get sucked up, and a heater set at 80, and a floating live plant. here is a pic, my platy fry were two weeks old yesterday and i have not had any die (there are over 53, always lose count there), can't say that they didn't eat some though, because i have two batches in there one week apart.
here is a pic of my nursery tank

 

[dragonfish]

Bare bottom tank with sponge filter. Use water from existing tank and add fry. Frequent water changes for fastest growth and you are set.

 

[mytoo8]

Thanks a ton. I thought with the research i've done i was ok but it was great to have my ideas confirmed. we will be going out tonight to get a tank for the little guys and then i guess my next step is to try and find some homes for them! (i'm such a sucker for the little guys!)

 

[Arizonagrace]

I have 2 10 gallons set up. I took water from regular tank, and the filter from their filter and put it in the fry tank to help establish it. Then, I added lots of fake plants and left the bottom bare. Make sure to have some plants floating. Also, put in an airstone along with the filter and do frequent water changes.

I found that having a background is helpful. My babies were all staying toward the front of the tank and i couldn't figure out why. My niece put a background on, and they are fine now, and not so scared.

 

[bigmarj]

How do you clean the bottom without sucking up the babies?

 

[szymon328]

How do you clean the bottom without sucking up the babies?

its not that hard lol if you have a siphon with a large opening and thinner hose the suction is strong but not too strong plus the fry just swim away