Angel Eggs

[daisymac]

Re: Angel Eggs

When you say slate, is that the same kind that is used for landscaping?

[Obed]

Re: Angel Eggs

slate flooring squares, 12'x12", usually about a 1/4" to 3/8" thick, really smooth on one side. Cut it about 2 to 3" wide, the full length so you get at least 4 cut pieces. clean it well and put it in the tank, setting at an angle against one side with the smooth side out.
I usually just buy what I need from steve. He has a maximum shipping charge, so when I have a large order, I just add a few slate pieces to it and it does not cost  any extra to ship. I usually order my flake food from him and buy between 25 pounds and 40 pounds at at time. I also order my sponge filters from him. I spend a FEW dollars at his place every year.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Angel Eggs

When you say slate, is that the same kind that is used for landscaping?

could be for roofing as well

[szidlon]

Re: Angel Eggs

I usually just buy what I need from steve.

Obed
I'm not much into power tools so I'll go with Steve. I've bookmarked his site and will surely find other things I need.  Actually, I could use a few more sponge filters and probably some bags.  I can always come up with enough "have to have" items to make shipping charges a non-issue.  I'm certainly don't need need the quantity you need, but his prices are still very reasonable.

[Obed]

Re: Angel Eggs

I have dealt with Steve for some time now, and I spend a bunch of money with him every year, he is one of the "good guys" out there. He was on the Standards committee in The Angelfish Society and was one of the founding members, he gives a lot to the hobby. He has several fine quality lines of angels too. When i need to add to my breeding stock I always look at his stuff.

[Mark]

Re: Angel Eggs

If anyone is ever planning a trip to an Omish town somtime check at there local shops, I saw some peices of roofing slate at a shop in Virginia for $.75.

[szidlon]

Re: Angel Eggs

Okay, I moved the happy couple to their own 20 gallon this weekend.  It's nice to be able to see the other fish in their previous home able to move around again.  The two of them were really guarding their space and no one was allowed anywhere near their leaf.  They have acclimated well to their new tank and have started pecking at the slate.  One of the nice things about LFS's is to be able to ask for something and they're able to dig around and find what you need ie: the slate.  It will be another two weeks before I'm back in town full time so they will have a chance to perfect their parenting skills and hopefully learn to not eat their young.  I'm semi prepared for the fry, I have some vinegar eels and micro worms that are ready to go.  Now all I need is some good ideas on brine shrimp hatching.  I know there are thousands of postings on the web but I'd prefer some local advice.  Keep in mind that I do have a shortage of space.  Setting up the 20 and having room left for another 10 or two has really stretched my limits.  My Ebay room (disaster area) is becoming my Ebay/Fish room.  Somehow I knew that day would come  

[Obed]

Re: Angel Eggs

hatching bbs is almost automatic with Houston area water. It does not take much space. The simplist way is probably to get two empty two liter bottles, cut the top out of one and the bottom out of the other. Put the one you cut the bottom out of inside the one you cut the top out of, that way you have a full size bottom for the hatcher to be able to free stand and you have a neck down funnel shape for the bbs to settle into when you finish hatching to make them easier to siphon out.
Fill the hatcher with city water, add roughly two table spoons of any salt of your choice, I use mortons canning salt. I like to add a tablespoon of epsom salts, insert an air line (no stone necessary), add a quarter to half teaspoon of good quality brine shrimp eggs and leave alone for 18 to 24 hours.
I do have a light shining on my hacthers the hole time, but some folks say that is not necessary.
When you are ready to harvest, simply remove the air line and about 10 minutes later, use a small diameter (1/4 to 3/8 ) hose and siphon the bbs out of the bottom of the hatcher into a bbs net, rinse and put into a cup with water and use an eye dropper or turkey baster to feed your fry with. Do not over feed.
As with all other fish it is better to feed small quantities often than large feeding, uneaten bbs foul and cause bad stuff to grow in your tank. Use a a regular airline and siphon out any uneaten bbs when the settle to the bottom, using care not to suck up your free swimmers.

[szidlon]

Re: Angel Eggs

Sure sounds simple, but then I have a knack of complicating or otherwise screwing up the simplest of operations.  I've already placed my order with Steve and didn't include any brine shrimp eggs, :doh: .  What brand available locally would you recommend?

[Mzungu]

Re: Angel Eggs

Oh dear, I've read your description of the hatchery about 10 times, Obed, and I still can't picture it!    Do you have a picture, or something? It sounds interesting, and easy enough, as well!

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Angel Eggs

my bbs hatchery is a little more complicated but does have a picture

http://baker.ws/2xbbsh/2xbbsh.htm

you might want to turn your sound down.......

[Obed]

Re: Angel Eggs

I do not recommend any eggs available locally. I have only seen the ones in blister packages hanging on a peg and they get moisture and do not hatch well. I would order from Steve or San Franciso Bay. Buy in a vacuum packaged container and once opened, keep in the refrigerator.
You do not need to buy the premium hatch rate, grade A will work just fine. If you were to use large quantities then grade B would work, but with the amount you will use, grade B would go bad before you would use them up.
The two liter bottle hatcher works great and I keep a couple around, I also have the commercial plastic cones with a valve at the bottom so that I do not have to siphon, they cost about $27 each on line and are less messy, but do not hatch any better. If you are interested in one of those they are available at wet thumb aquatics on line.

[Obed]

Re: Angel Eggs

http://webrbiz.com/angelfish/amh.html

this link is one of the best sites around with lots of info that is angelfish specific, but has lots of info that is good for all fish. Scroll down the page and look at the section on bbs hatcheries, lots of good pictures.
some types of hatcheries work better than others, I find the ones that are cone shaped work better than jar types, but that is just me.

[Mzungu]

Re: Angel Eggs

Hey, PhishPhreek, you're back!!  8)

Thanks to both of you, I'm going to take a look at both sites now.

[Mzungu]

Re: Angel Eggs

Obed - On the BBS hatchery photo pages, the third page, bottom left picture - is this similar to what you explained? If so, I get it now. I was imagining the 2 liter on top being right-side-up, not upside down.  :)