Plats spawning

[b125killer]

I was messing around with the discus tank and watching these guys spawning. It was entertaining. The females would make there pass then the males. then the males would take a break and meet in the middle of the tank to fight a little. then they would start the processes all over again. I left the spawn on the intake tube and pulled the slate. I guess there lucky that the filter wasn't on.
   

[Mugwump]

....interesting about their priorities, ?.....battle, fertilize, battle, etc...

[b125killer]

It's always interesting to watch them. this is the first time I had a pair spawn together that I could watch from beginning to end. I should also add that the spawn I pulled has a better heater in it. temps are nice and toasty. 

[wsantia1]

Very nice Scott.  Good luck with those eggs.

[b125killer]

Thanks Willie, They are some pretty angels. You did a good job with them. I didn't know there was another female in there until today. I was thinking it was a male. I guess she showed me.

[PaulineMi]

You should get some prety babies from that pair.  Nice spawning picture. 

[b125killer]

Thanks Pauline, so far the spawn looks good.

[b125killer]

I'm not sure what went wrong this time but the fry didn't make it.  they were doing so good. I was expecting them to start free swimming Friday and they didn't.  I wasn't too concerned yet. I did there water change and went to bed. When I got up this morning they were all dead. I was doing daily water changes and there temp were right. Just not to sure what happened.  I'm going to get a new sponge filter, air line, and more ridged tube for the next spawn. Just want to try and eliminate the chance of bacterial infection.  That's about the only thing I can think There might of been some bad guys on the filter or tubing.

[wsantia1]

Sorry to hear about that Scott.  I agree, try getting rid of all of the nasties.  I have all of my slates soaking in bleach right now because I want to get the next spawn right.

[b125killer]

Good thought Willie. I haven't cleaned my slate before.

[Mugwump]

Good thought Willie. I haven't cleaned my slate before.

uh oh.....a very likely culprit for sure...

[EdKaz]

Well that sucks Scott.

I used to soak my slates in bleach, rinse em and soak em in dechlor...... until one time after doing so I couldnt get a spawn to survive for a few month stretch.
Not exactly sure what was going on but my guess was the bleach (which is a very alkaline solution) soaked into the porous slates and even though rinsed and rinsed again in dechlor and air dried......the alkalinity was leaching out to some degree and killing off the eggs.

Im not positive that was what was happening or if its even remotely possible, but after a few months of just soaking in the breeder tanks, and my hoping for a decent spawn, the slates  finally seemed to 'fix" themselves just as suddenly as they "went bad".

Keep plugging away, they look like an awesome pair that will wind up rewarding you for your efforts

[Mugwump]

Well that sucks Scott.

I used to soak my slates in bleach, rinse em and soak em in dechlor...... until one time after doing so I couldnt get a spawn to survive for a few month stretch.
Not exactly sure what was going on but my guess was the bleach (which is a very alkaline solution) soaked into the porous slates and even though rinsed and rinsed again in dechlor and air dried......the alkalinity was leaching out to some degree and killing off the eggs.

Im not positive that was what was happening or if its even remotely possible, but after a few months of just soaking in the breeder tanks, and my hoping for a decent spawn, the slates  finally seemed to 'fix" themselves just as suddenly as they "went bad".

Keep plugging away, they look like an awesome pair that will wind up rewarding you for your efforts

...true....I soak mine in a very weak bleach solution...fill a fiver....flurp with the bleach....it doesn't take much, and more is not better......

[wsantia1]

Well that sucks Scott.

I used to soak my slates in bleach, rinse em and soak em in dechlor...... until one time after doing so I couldnt get a spawn to survive for a few month stretch.
Not exactly sure what was going on but my guess was the bleach (which is a very alkaline solution) soaked into the porous slates and even though rinsed and rinsed again in dechlor and air dried......the alkalinity was leaching out to some degree and killing off the eggs.

Im not positive that was what was happening or if its even remotely possible, but after a few months of just soaking in the breeder tanks, and my hoping for a decent spawn, the slates  finally seemed to 'fix" themselves just as suddenly as they "went bad".

Keep plugging away, they look like an awesome pair that will wind up rewarding you for your efforts

...true....I soak mine in a very weak bleach solution...fill a fiver....flurp with the bleach....it doesn't take much, and more is not better......

Well I am going to soak these slates some more then.  I think my solution may have been a little strong.  I'll add some dechlor to it also.

[b125killer]

I pulled all my slate and there soaking in a weak solution.  Also ordered more little spunge filters. I can find airline all over the place but haveing a hard time finding the ridged tube. I'm thinking of looking In hobby town for the push rod tubes. But I can't remember if they where clear or colored tubes. It's been a long time since I was in hobby town. I always got in trouble when I went there. They have the neatest toys