Pony Breeding

[zeke92]

Later in the summer i plan on trying to get some ponies and try to breed them. I have a 5 gallon, a 2.5 hex, and a 10 gallon that i could work with. I'd like to start with the 2.5 if possible cause i got a little crawdad and some snails in the 5 gallon and the 10 gallon would need alot of work.
Could i start with the 2.5 with breeding ponies? whats the max number for ponies in a 2.5?
it's the same one that i have belle in (RIP) and it worked great. i will move it into my room most likely so i can moniter it real good.

 

[rykna]

The 2.5 would work great! Just keep your breeding tanks bare bottomed. For hitching post in my breeding tanks I used this:

You can get these at any craft store. I used plastic...hmm..those little plastic strips that tighten up once you pull the end through, to hold cables...garbage bags, etc.
closed. The tube I used to cover the heater to keep little tails from getting burnt. I cut two holes and inserted suctions cups to hold the heater and tube in place.
I also had doubled up the brine shrimp hatchery, to make sure there was a constant flow of baby brine for tiny snouts. I also had a special "birthing tank" set up so collecting the newborns would easy. Simply remove the father after birth. I used a tiny fluval bubbler that I cover the bottom intake with a woman's knee high nylon pantyhose to make sure no little babies got stuck.
In this picture you can see the end of the little filter. It came with this 1 gallon aquarium I purchased.

I used this tank for babies. Really liked the hitch posts and bare bottom.

Yaaaaaaaaay, found the pic of the tiny filter:

Hope this helps, I'd be happy to help

 

[zeke92]

i have live and fake plants to use so i am not worried about that part. belle loved chaeto, it was perfect size for her little tail.
i will have to get a new filter and a tiny heater for the tank.
for the birthing tank, what should i do? is it a must? the only thing smaller then my 2.5 is a betta bowl thats empty ><

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2670737
i have live and fake plants to use so i am not worried about that part. belle loved chaeto, it was perfect size for her little tail.
i will have to get a new filter and a tiny heater for the tank.
for the birthing tank, what should i do? is it a must? the only thing smaller then my 2.5 is a betta bowl thats empty ><
The birthing tank isn't a must, it's actually kind of a hassle. Originally I thought it would be helpful for feeding purposes for the babies. Since you're using a 2.5 feeding shouldn't be a problem. Your set up sounds great, can't wait to see pics

 

[zeke92]

well it will probably be a while. i just got my first order from a local LFS and i have to call someone wanting snails. but it may take a while to accumulate the money for the sponge filter and small heater and stuff. Let alone for the actual ponies.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2673602
well it will probably be a while. i just got my first order from a local LFS and i have to call someone wanting snails. but it may take a while to accumulate the money for the sponge filter and small heater and stuff. Let alone for the actual ponies.
Really? I was at my LFS's bargin basement last night. They had the tiny whisper filter and pump ~$1, 2 huge black sponge filters~$2...the kind that you can cut to fit your needs, and you can get tiny heaters at walmart...do you have paypal? Where are you getting your ponies from? Please PM me, and let me know how much per pony you paying. My source may be cheaper.

 

[rykna]

How's it going?

 

[zeke92]

Sorry for the disapearance from the thread i've been extremely busy.
Ok well i was working on my 18 gallon, and i took all rocks out and turned filters and powerhead back in (tank was algae heaven) and it got me in the mood to plan stuff.
Plans (hopefully):
5 gallon (might as well use the 5g, i will need it if i get lots of babies anyway)
2.5 gallon baby tank
10 gallon sump (not 100% about this quite yet)
should i even put any rock?
eelgrass (just like a couple leaves for decoration mostly)
chaeto (i think all my chaeto is dead...

)
2-3 inches of sand
sponge filter (i'm gonna look at these next time i go to lfs)
questions:
1. How much do sponge filters for a 5g and a 2.5 g usually price.
2. Any suggestions on brand/size/etc?
3. Should i get any special heaters or will any 1-5 g heater work?
I STILL have my 50 dollar amazon card....i need to use it...probably get that dwarf seahorse book everyone suggested tonight.

 

[zeke92]

i just bought a dwarf seahorse book, a seahorse book, a world or warcraft book (<-- off topic book), and a sponge filter =D
gift cards ftw

 

[cranberry]

In my breeding tanks, I used those canister ceramic biofilter.... thingies. and would glue one line of plastic mess to the end of it. Even though th eceramic had flat stable edges, I placed a dollop of silicone sealant on a surface, flatten it out a little but pushing the ceramic thing in it. They were so easy to remove and clean and you could have a whole pile of them in there without causing a problem for the cleaning process. You can kind of see it in this picture. That's a 13 week old for size reference.

 

[zeke92]

I took most of the rock out of the 5 gallon today and i still have alot of cleaning to go. I should get my filter in a few days.
Should i have no sand AND no rock in the tank? or just sand?
I am gonna see if i can go to a craft store next time i'm near one to look for those things to put the plants on.

 

[rykna]

I would go with no substrate. Water quality is your top concern, IMHO. Without pods to snack on make sure you keep on top of the food enhancers and how much the little guys are eating.
Your set up sounds AWESOME.....

 

[zeke92]

thanks. it always sounds awesome but i can never get it all together like i say. making the 10g a sump is gonna be the hardest part for two reasons. one i don't know if we can do it. two is that the ponies will be in my room, and another tank will just mean griping from my parents. i also wanted to have them next to my bed but if i have a 10g sump i would have ot put close to computer on a bookshelf. would i NEED a sump or would i be 100% fine without it? and if i don't use a sump, if i just got another filter, would that make up forit? two fitlers?

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2709878
thanks. it always sounds awesome but i can never get it all together like i say. making the 10g a sump is gonna be the hardest part for two reasons. one i don't know if we can do it. two is that the ponies will be in my room, and another tank will just mean griping from my parents. i also wanted to have them next to my bed but if i have a 10g sump i would have to put close to computer on a bookshelf. would i NEED a sump or would i be 100% fine without it? and if i don't use a sump, if i just got another filter, would that make up for it? two filters?
Drop the sump. My breeding tank design was as simple as tanks come. 'This is my motto: "K.I.S.S." ~Keep it simple stupid!'
I've mucked up tons of projects due to the complexity in which I designed them. Pony tanks, especially breeding tanks IMHO, need their levels to be monitored every day. The sterile breeding tank has no back up clean up crew. Adding a sump will mean more foot work for you. Keep the tanks empty except for the plastic plants for hitching posts. I'd set up the ten gallon the same way I set up the 1 gallon I posted earlier. Check the water daily and do water 5-10% water changes ever 4-5 days or when needed.
My DS pony tank setup for a 10g includes these basics:
Aquaclear power filter 50 gph
Which means the ten gallon is getting cycled almost 6 times
in an hour.
Make sure to cover the intake with a heavy black sponge
Submersible heater
Artificial Hitching posts
Cultured LS
Basic viewing aquarium light
This is a pic of my first pony tank 15g:

I suggest your 10g breeding tank will need:
Aquaclear power filter 50 gph
cover the intake with a heavy black sponge
Submersible heater
Artificial Hitching posts
Basic viewing aquarium light
oh.....and don't forget to add a lot of TLC!!!
Sounds like you have everything about wrapped up

You'll be up to your ears in baby ponies soon, so I would set up the second 10 as a breeding tank. Just get yourself a sturdy shelving unit from wally world that can hold both tanks, one over the over. It doesn't have to be expensive, and it'll save space in your room. Just use the new shelving unit to double as a night stand.And definitely do not set the tank up by your computer

 

[zeke92]

Unless it gets out of control with ponies i am gonna use the 5g as my main tank and the 2.5 as my baby raising tank. The 10g will stay out of the picture for now..smaller the tank the better cause it means i can have them next to me =D
i should get my books and sponge filter tomorrow..
i looked today for a heater at ***** but the only one was like freakin 15 bucks for a mini heater! i will check somewhere else for a cheaper one. i also looked at a craft store but i forgot what the plastic stuff in your pony tank was to buy

i figure i will work on the tank tomorrow and use water from my 55g to get it started. I am debating ont he eel grass cause the big leaves will block my vision of the tank. so i might have to go hunting for small fake plants when i get some money.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2711151
Unless it gets out of control with ponies i am gonna use the 5g as my main tank and the 2.5 as my baby raising tank. The 10g will stay out of the picture for now..smaller the tank the better cause it means i can have them next to me =D
i should get my books and sponge filter tomorrow..
i looked today for a heater at ***** but the only one was like freakin 15 bucks for a mini heater! i will check somewhere else for a cheaper one. i also looked at a craft store but i forgot what the plastic stuff in your pony tank was to buy

i figure i will work on the tank tomorrow and use water from my 55g to get it started. I am debating ont he eel grass cause the big leaves will block my vision of the tank. so i might have to go hunting for small fake plants when i get some money.
Sounds great

yeah..heaters..go figure...as for the plastic mats....I've always called it cross stitch matting or canvas. Any craft store like Joanne Fabrics or Michael's should carry some. It'll be stacked somewhere near all the cross stitch thread, cloth, and cross stitch pattern books. Feel free to take a copy of my picture

Another thought I had, to save money on plastic plants, cut out plant like shapes out of the cross stitch and use some kind of weight or suction cup to hold them to the bottom.
Something kinda like this:

Can't wait to see more pics

 

[zeke92]

Just got my filter yesterday..a Hydro Sponge Filter IV...i must have messed up on amazon, cause i needed the I one..the IV is for tanks up to 80 gallons! it's a bit big and i'm not sure if i can use it unless i get a sump running. if i can't get a sump i thought about blocking off a small piece of the tank to put it in but that would take up alot of space. any ideas?
btw i'm bleaching the tank over night including lots of plants. i am gonna have to cut the plants up so there smaller.

 

[zeke92]

Ok well the tank is clean and i figure i will just set my humongous sponge filter in the back corner and hide it with plants. i ment to get the one for 10 gallons not 80!!
oh well, atleast it will get the job time x8

trying to find a good spot in my room..i should have a beginning pic tomorrow.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2715794
Ok well the tank is clean and i figure i will just set my humongous sponge filter in the back corner and hide it with plants. I ment to get the one for 10 gallons not 80!!
oh well, a tleast it will get the job time x8

trying to find a good spot in my room..i should have a beginning pic tomorrow.
Extra filtration in pony/horse tanks is always a plus. Even if the filter is bigger than the tank

Look forward to your pics!

 

[zeke92]

the filter fits good into the back corner of tank so i figure i can just put plants around it. been busy all day but tomorrow i hope to get some progress. but tomorrow i am also calling a girl and asking her on a date so i may be in shock all day and not be able to depending on the response lol.