Glen

But I am still non the wiser as to the nitrate leval of my tank ??

Just tested the tap water 20ml tap water came out 0mg/l. So I do not have to use boiled water after all Lindy

Hi I would like to know the right way to use a nitrate test kit, the kit I have purchased is a Sera and I completed a test yesterday the first test I did was 10ml tank and 10ml boiled filtered water (cooled of course). The test came out at 80mg/l, I done another test using 5ml tank and 15ml boiled filtered water and the test came out at 20mg/l. Where do I go from here. Tank is 500litres stocked with three Oscars between 160 and 195 mm plus one Pleco 200mm and three small bristlenose who live in a Schist rock formation, an older cannister Fluval 403, an Atman F104, and a sump filter, jury rigged from an old 60 litre tall tank. I recently had a prob with HITH but the advise I got from this site helped me overcome with larger water changes more often, for that information I want to thank all you people who helped, and now would like to know if I am staying on track with the excesive nitrate problem I must have had with my Oscars. Thank you David from New Plymouth

As always very nice ron. well done mate.

also critters pets in taranaki.

Cheers sharn, sounds like a good plan. seems to be a lull in the storm at the moment but I will give your idea a go!

thanks guys. lot of digging and shimmy's going on, the two that we think are pairing may as well be glued together! looks like well have to find a home for one. Does it have to be the odd female out or can it be the one thats pairing, not too sure if I have the space for baby oscars everywhere? (assuming thats whats going on) :roll:

Hey tanksman, the tank is about 500ltr 5x2x2. we are just building a schist rock formation to try and separate them a bit in the middle of the tank. the oscars have probably just reached maturity so they are not too big yet. May have to find a home for the odd one out though do you think? cheers for the reply.

Hey folks, I have three oscars im pretty sure a big male and two females. Its looking very much like the male and one of the females are gonna get jiggy! only thing is now the females are fighting(pretty ugly) over territory I guess? never really fought before. Its usualy the male that just cruises around kick'n a bit of butt. would love to hear your thoughts. its a pretty big tank and they have plenty of room, just wondering if the problem will sort itself out? cheers.

Nice work frenchy, you must be stoked. Krib if you happen to come across any of these hard to find little tangs let us know, I'd be happy to join the waiting list!!!

Maybe you could add a little bit of champagne in your next water change and put a bit of Barry White on, That'll get em going for sure!!

Good stuff lukey!!, great looking fish, well done.

Nice work all!!! great to see those photos. love the leopards Ronnie.

How you doing there caper, A panel beater's where we go when we've damaged or crashed the car. not alot of people seem to like coming to see us which I can kinda understand, not too sure what they call em in canada? maybe an automtive repairer, or body repair shops?

Hey there. Just a question on behalf of me dad. He has 3 eight inch oscars, one has got hole in the head disease. its very minor and hasn't really got any worse but is not getting better either! tested water and nitrate level was high so he did a slightly larger water change than normal and cut back on the food. any help would be apprieciated.

Hey all, first of all what a cool site!!! I've been in the hobby for a few years now and have survived on books and good advice from some helpful shops on the gold coast where i was on a working holiday. Im a panelbeater by trade and have moved home to taranaki for a much needed career change. So i guess its time to set up some new tanks, what a bugger! I've just set up a large tank for africans and am stoked with it so far, now it just needs some fish! Have a safe happy christmas everyone, look foward to talking soon. Cheers and beers. glen

Thankyou the schist looks great in the tank.

Hi there. Just a question about rocks for an african setup. Is schist rock o.k to use for the aquarium? I read mica schist is fine but is there a difference between schist and mica schist? thanks. :roll: