Fish Folk Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 (edited) I came across a pair of clear plastic trays like these in Walmart this week: The ones I found were cheaper, and slightly lower quality. I immediately thought of building a fry tray, inspired by Dean. I’ve had the privilege of sitting through his whole fry system presentation with my fish club. It’s amazing!! But my set up is not like his, and I’m wanting something with some flexibility. So… I built these: The styrofoam is sealed to the tray, and keeps it afloat. The handle holes are stuffed with filter sponge to allow tank water to pass through for fry, without them escaping. An airline / airstone will be added. This tray can float in a larger tank. Water is shared, but fry are secured. Java moss in bottom with an airline for low bubble is all that’s needed for flow, filtration, and infusoria context. Great way to hatch out fry in the water they are spawned in. Or, alternatively, a great birthing space for Livebearers. Clear siding allows easy viewing of fry through aquarium glass. I’m sure to test it out soon and show the results. Edited February 10, 2022 by Fish Folk 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevesFishTanks Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Cool build and write up. I mess with those trays when shopping sometimes. Thinking of fish related ways to use them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Very nice simple design! That’s a perfect container. Getting enough water flow through my homemade fry boxes has always been my biggest challenge. If you can get an airlift tube to pump water in from the outer tank, that would be AWESOME. (That’s my goal next time I make fry boxes.) The airline in the fry box is a good start though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 Floating! Works like a charm… 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modified lung Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 On 2/10/2022 at 6:17 AM, Hobbit said: Very nice simple design! That’s a perfect container. Getting enough water flow through my homemade fry boxes has always been my biggest challenge. If you can get an airlift tube to pump water in from the outer tank, that would be AWESOME. (That’s my goal next time I make fry boxes.) The airline in the fry box is a good start though. I've spent a diagnoseable amount of time reconfiguring airlifts. Here's a compact design that worked well for me. Made from 3/16" thinwall rigid tube + 1/4" ice maker water line cut to 6" + 1/2" acrylic tube + plastic 90° angle thing with a hole drilled as a holder. I might steal the styrofoam float idea. The airlift could be poked through the styrofoam as a holder really easy. 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 On 2/10/2022 at 12:19 PM, modified lung said: I've spent a diagnoseable amount of time reconfiguring airlifts. Here's a compact design that worked well for me. Made from 3/16" thinwall rigid tube + 1/4" ice maker water line cut to 6" + 1/2" acrylic tube + plastic 90° angle thing with a hole drilled as a holder. I might steal the styrofoam float idea. The airlift could be poked through the styrofoam as a holder really easy. I like that! Nice work. Thanks for sharing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Ohhhh! Thanks so much for sharing that! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Thoughts running all around my brain on how I can use older, double sponge filter parts to reconfigure for water inflow into floating containers using either styrofoam or 3/8” ID silicone tubing as floaties. Hmmmm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modified lung Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 One airlift becomes two. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 On 2/10/2022 at 9:27 PM, modified lung said: One airlift becomes two. Are those the big mixed nut containers? Or maybe the peanut butter filled pretzels? I have some of those. They’re so useful. I do love an upcycle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modified lung Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 @Odd Duck pickle containers. I have a ton of 1 gal pretzel containers from Target. Can never have enough of those. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Ahh very nice! 😍 What are those black ring things called that you’re using to hold up the jars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modified lung Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 @Hobbit they're just the plastic rings that hold the plastic cap on before you open the jar. You can use zip ties too though. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 This is how I do air to the floating fry tray… 10-in. rigid airline, 1-in CoOp airline + Ziss air stone that sinks down to bottom of tray… and ca. 15-in CoOp airline out to a single control valve. With a wad of Java moss in the bottom, I believe this can work for hatch abs raising fry. It is perhaps too deep for some species. I hope to test on Acaras, Rams, and maybe Killifish. Heck… might work for Bettas too… 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 Inspired by your build, I am going to try to find something similar at Target today. Hopefully I can make a little fry box to clamp on the side of the tank. This is such a great idea, and really resourceful! Thanks for sharing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-In-Of-TheSea Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 Check this one out too. He used metal rods to hold it up and pumps water into the fry box also. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juancho Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 On 2/13/2022 at 8:46 AM, OnlyGenusCaps said: Inspired by your build, I am going to try to find something similar at Target today. Hopefully I can make a little fry box to clamp on the side of the tank. This is such a great idea, and really resourceful! Thanks for sharing it. That’s the fun isn’t it. Coming up with something. Brainstorming. Love it. Good luck 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 On 6/4/2022 at 1:43 AM, Juancho said: Good luck Thanks! It's working great. I really should do an update. I love copying @Fish Folk's great ideas! He does all the work and I get ll the benefit. 🤪 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Gumby Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Just a quick thought on a lift tube. I know when I water change my Qt/fry tank I just wedge some airline into the lift tube on my sponge filter which generally self starts the Syphon. Potentially you could just do the same with the airline running into the fry tray for a really quick and easy way to get well oxygenated water in there?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl P. Posted June 18, 2022 Share Posted June 18, 2022 Wow, thanks for the ideas! I'm just starting to dip my toe into breeding for my local club's BAP so these ideas are great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted June 18, 2022 Author Share Posted June 18, 2022 On 6/18/2022 at 11:23 AM, Cheryl P. said: Wow, thanks for the ideas! I'm just starting to dip my toe into breeding for my local club's BAP so these ideas are great! Glad to hear you’re starting on a BAP journey. Best wishes to you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted June 18, 2022 Share Posted June 18, 2022 Hey @Fish Folk, are you familiar with "German Breeding Rings"? They seem similar to your build, and they are available for purchase from a foam filter seller here in the States. I'm thinking about getting one as a stage for the gobies as they get older. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted June 19, 2022 Author Share Posted June 19, 2022 On 6/18/2022 at 7:46 PM, OnlyGenusCaps said: Hey @Fish Folk, are you familiar with "German Breeding Rings"? They seem similar to your build, and they are available for purchase from a foam filter seller here in the States. I'm thinking about getting one as a stage for the gobies as they get older. I know folks in our fish club have successfully used them! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 @OnlyGenusCapsIve nearly pulled the trigger everytime I’ve been on Swiss Tropicals website. Styrofoam, a cheap food safe container and filter sponge is a bit cheaper then 30$ For them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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