| Our Hatchery |
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| Linear Air Pump -------> |
| Our hatchery contains over 30 tanks holding over 1400-gal of water. It is powered by a linear air pump through 1" pvc pipe that is looped. The air is regulated by brass valves tapped into the pvc pipe. Currently it is powering close to 50 outlets including sponge filters, undergravel filters and airstones for hatching both fry and brine shrimp. Tank Sizes 2 125-gal tanks 1 120-gal tank 2 75-gal tanks 6 55-gal tanks 1 50-gal tank 1 45-gal tank 2 40-gal tanks 2 38-gal tanks 1 30-gal tank 4 29-gal tank 6 20-gal tanks 4 10-gal tanks 2 5 1/2-gal tanks 2 2 1/2-gal tanks Each tank contains a seperate heater, cover and light. The majority of these tanks have bare bottoms and contain 1,2 or 3 sponge filters depending on the size of the tank. Some tanks contain gravel and are filtered by a combination of undergravel filters, sponge filters, power filters and canister filters. In addition there are 4 show tanks that contain live plants. Water changes are performed twice a week using a 30 foot python water changing system. Water is syphoned from the tanks directly to the sewer drain in the floor. Water is returned to the tanks via a hose directly connected from the utility sink using a gravel washer tube to defuse the spray. I add Amquel to each tank to remove any chlorine and chloramines. Another very important part of our hatchery is the dehuminifier. It keeps the humidity at 50% even in the summer months. It also prevents that moldy smell. The hatchery is heated and airconditioned. The ambient room temperature is usually 74'. It makes being down there very comfortable |
| Varieties Currently Produced Our hatchery contains a lot of different varieties of angelfish with more to be added. Currently we are producing hybrid blacks, golds, gold pearls, marbles, dark marbles,gold marbles, chocolates, leopards and smokeys. In addition we have recently purchased some juveniles from very reputable breeders and are raising them to be our future breeders. They are koi, DD blacks, half blacks, zebras, zebra lace, and albinos. This is a huge variety for only 30 tanks. We try to manage keeping only 2 to 4 pairs going at one time. The rest are split up into singles tanks where they can rest up for a few months before being reunited. We only keep the very best for ourselves as future breeders. We produce about 1500 angelfish per year. We sell most of them to local fish stores. We are very fortunate to have a couple of stores that really like our angelfish. They sell well for them and they actually call us when they need more. Well one of them does anyway. We also buy, sell and trade with other breeders in the area. Our goal is to constantly improve our lines and produce a good quality angelfish that is healthy and vigorous. I would like to eventually add a drip system that would change the water automatically, but I am afraid that my bottom row of tanks is too low for it to work properly. The bottom of the tanks are only 4 1/2 inches off of the floor. I would prefer not to drill the tanks but that might be my only option. If anyone reading this has any ideas that might make sense, please email us |
| Fry Hatching Station Along With Fritz the Catfish |