Tank InformationA quick note on our tank setup |
| All LoneStar guppies are raised in bare bottom tanks. We paint the outside of the tank bottoms black and use two filters per tank: a sponge filter for biological filtration and an inside box filter for mechanical filtration. The box filters are layered with polyester filter floss on top of a layer of marbles used to weigh the filters down. The sponge filters are only rinsed when they get clogged, but the box filters are changed weekly to keep bacteria under control. Steady aeration is provided for effective filtration and to raise the dissolved oxygen level. 2 1/2 gallon tanks are used for birthing, and 5 1/2 gallon tanks are used as breeders and for raising fry until they are a month old. Once fry reach a month of age, they are placed into clean 10-gallon tanks. 10-15 and 20-gallon tanks are used for raising show quality fish. |
Water ChangesHow we do our water changes, and the chemistry |
| Water at the LoneStar Guppy Hatchery comes from the tap with a pH of 7.6 to 7.8 and is very hard. We treat it in 30 gallon filtered and circulated containers. To each 30 gallons, we add dechlorinator and 1/4 cup of solar salt. In the colder months the water is heated to 78 degrees (Fahrenheit) before use, but in the warmer months we're lucky enough to have it come out of the tap at a suitable temperature. Tanks are siphoned 30 to 40% twice weekly and refilled with the treated water. Fry tanks are siphoned down 60%. Ted is convinced show quality guppies cannot be nurtured to full glory without regular water changes, and he's religious about it. Every other month fry are moved to clean tanks; this promotes the growth of healthy, vigorous fish with larger bodies and finnage. When females are ready to drop their fry, they're placed in a 2 1/2 gallon plastic tank with some floating plastic plants. After the fry are dropped, the mother is returned to her breeding tank. The following day, the fry are transferred to a clean 5 1/2 gallon tank. |
Feeding the GuppiesWhat we feed and how often |
| LoneStar Guppy Hatchery's feeding schedule includes feeding a variety of finely crushed top-quality flake food four times a day combined with freshly hatched brine shrimp feedings twice a day. This is complimented with a feeding of specially prepared beef heart every second day. Each of these foods serves a special purpose. The flake food is an important guppy staple that provides a balanced diet of needed nutrients. The brine shrimp is their favorite food and they will eat so much that they have no choice but to grow TEXAS size, and beef heart is a time-proven method of adding bulk to a show guppy's body so he can handle the weight of championship winning fins. Two warnings: first, although guppies can be fed much more often than we feed at the LoneStar Guppy Hatchery, if your guppies aren't attacking the tank front when you approach DON'T FEED THEM, overfeeding is the number one killer of tropical fish. Although guppies may be hungry (and safely fed) dozens of times a day, it can't be said often enough: if your guppies aren't attacking the tank front when you approach DON'T FEED THEM, overfeeding is the number one killer of tropical fish. If you want to feed more often than we feed at LoneStar, you can do so safely if you watch the guppy behavior, but you will start to see diminished returns after about four feedings a day -- so why risk it? The second warning saves both money and fish; never feed guppies tubifex worms of any sort. Tubifex worms often carry bacterial, protozoal, and nematode diseases. |
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