Total Surprise!!

Went to feed the fish this morning and noticed something small hanging on the side of the tank. Was thinking it was an Oto but it was too small. Got a closer look and it turned out to be a baby pleco. So I guess at least I have a breeding pair in my tank. I had no clue. Was late to work because I kept looking to see if there were any more.

This brings up a whole new set of questions.

How long can I keep them in the current tank before the bioload and over crowding become an issue? I should add that the tank is as full as I'd like it to be, but there is a little room.

I'll go out and get a new tank prolly next week to house them in if there are more than the one that I see.

When I'm cycling the tank can I take one of the filters out of my main tank and use it in the new tank to promote cycling? And then buy a new filter to replace the one I took out? Would this hurt anything? Nevermind! Run seasoned filter for two weeks in new tank before adding any fry.
What is the smallest tank you would recommend to get them to "selling size"?

Do I need substrate in the new tank or can I leave it bare...aside from an airstone and some driftwood? Nevermind! I read int "The Breeding Cave" during lunch. Gravel or sand.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on Craigslist and have found a complete 35 gallon set up for $50. How many babies would this hold until they were of size to sell?

Awesome news Bwompus and it's even better when you had no clue of the spawnidge
You said "baby plec" -- you only have B/N in that tank correct?
If there are only a few babies in the current tank you will be right for a while, or at least you can wait until they are a more recognizable size( and easier to catch)
35 gallon tank would be great to grow on a "few" batches of fry, just don't get to greedy and watch the numbers as they increase and yes your spot on with the idea of using matured sponges to "help" along cycling the new tank--try to have
the new filter in there while you are cycling though.
As for bare bottom versus substrate-- I'd go substrate but only enough to just cover the bottom, no more than 10mm.
Good luck with it all.
J

Yeah just BNs. I've only been able to see on though. There may be more lurking....I hope.

Should I move the breeding pair to the grow out tank? That way I don't have to worry about moving the fry. There would be 3 baby mollies and the two breeding pair in a 35 gallon. I'll set up lots of caves and hiding places...I might put in some live plants but I don't know yet.

Nah I wouldn't worry about moving the parents, what sort of caves are you using Bwompus?
if they are easy to pick up with out the babies running everywhere just watch their development and just before they want to leave the cave place them into a fry saver, then about a fortnight (or longer if you want) later you could put them in the grow out tank.
J

Lol...the cave is a natural one in the driftwood. I've shined a flashlight in it and know there are two "chambers" in there that I can't see all the way to the back. I'm going to pick up the 35 gallon Saturday morning and go ahead and get the cycling going.

Observed a second BN fry this morning. It was solid white. I figure that through my awesome powers of deductive reasoning that if I have three BNs in a tank and two have bristles..one common and one albino..that with a white young'un that its my albino and the common that were the two doin' the nasty. Will the white one get some color or is it possible for it to stay white?

Congratulations,
I would say it would stay white..are its eyes red?

Thank you!

I couldn't see its eyes. I seem to just see them when I turn on the lights right before work.

"OOOOHHH!! Look at the new fish! Crap! Gotta go to work."

It would be nice if it stayed completely white.

As of this weekend I have counted 2 browns and 2 "orange" and one solid white. They are attaching themselves to the driftwood now. The baby daddy is back in his cave and the female has made a couple of visits. He won't come away from it even during feeding time so I placed a shrimp pellet and algae wafer at the entrance. He stuck his head out and just ate away then returned inside. If there are eggs in there will he not leave? Even to eat?

My 35 gallon was a bust. Got up there Saturday morning to look at it. It was only a 20 gallon. She said someone told her it was a 35 gallon. Its had chips on the corners also....so I politely declined.

She showed me her new tank that she said she got for free off of Craigslist. It was a 29 gallon Biocube with stand. It was a beautiful tank. Didn't like the goldfish she had in it but the tank was spot on. My friend that was with me said I should have offered her $100 for it. He said she prolly would have taken it. Oh well..my search continues. I don't think I'll get anything less than a 55 gallon. I've got 6 feet of wall space in the bedroom that I can use. Wish me luck!!

best of luck, in the same boat myself looking for bns of all types at the moment