On Mon, 26 Aug 1996, Gail Bowker wrote:
> What are spawning mops? I think I have seen a few, but are they home made,
> and if so how? Can they be bought from Aquarium shops?
Spawning mops are artifically-made surfaces on which rainbows can be
induced to spawn and deposit their eggs. They superficially resemble the
dense, tangly masses of fine plants and hanging plant roots upon/in which
they spawn in thier natural environment. Killie keepers also use mops for
some species.
Basically, they are made using synthetic yarn that is cut to length,
bunched up, and tied off. They can be sunk using a weight or floated
using a piece of styrofoam or a film canister, to name a few methods.
There are several ways to make them. The easiest is to get a largish book
(the cover size could be close to the size of a magazine to start) and
repeatedly wrap your yarn around it; at least 30 times, but many folks
here would probably say you should use much more than this. Then, at one
of the narrow ends, tie a smallish (8" or so) piece of yarn tightly
around the yarn bundle. This will bind that end together. Then, at the
opposite end from the one you just tied off, cut thruough the yarn,
freeing it from the book. You will then have a bundle of yarn lengths
that are tied together in the middle. You could stop there, but most of
us then hold this bundle so that it is hanging from the piece that you
tied it together with. Then, take another approx 6" - 8" piece of yarn
and tie it together again, getting both "halves," about an inch or so
down from the first tie. I'd draw it for you, but I don't have either the
equipment to do it easily nor the time to do it w/ the system I have.
Cary Hostrowser has a crude drawing of a mop at the end of his posts.
This will give you an idea of what I just tried to explain.
As I said, you can then float it or sink it, depending on where in the
water the fish like to spawn. You can also use difft sizes of books to
make longer or shorter mops, or flip sides of the same book you first
used. A 15" mop in a 10 gallon tank (12" deep, I believe?) is a bit much;
likewise a 7" mop in a 24" tall tank is way too small. Make it to fit
your needs. :-)
Color?? There's a wide range of views on this, or even if it matters. I
use a darkish green yarn, many others use lighter shades, a mix of
shades, etc. Some use brown and I've even heard of some who use red! Try
a few difft ones (the yarns is pretty cheap) and see what works best for
you.
OK guys, what did I miss? :-) ;-)
Hope that helps, Gail. Feel free to ask for clarification of anything we
say -- helps to keep us on our toes, you know. :-)
Julie Zeppieri <><