@ndrew

I like Ira live in Upper Hutt – Ira who is your preferred vet in Upper Hutt? The birds you are referring two in the concerned pet shop (better be safe and not state the name) – Was it the birds which sat at the entrance to the shop? I feel sorry for many of the birds and animals in the concerned pet shop – pack into small cages, animals that should never be in pet shops, and just a general disregard for the happiness of the animals. Can you please imform should a huge exotic bird be kept in a small cage so it can’t even spread its wings (what the point of the wings they are never going to be used?). What do you think about that huge fish in the unsuitable tank? What would you do if you were given custody of the fish? – Could it be homed any where it could actually have good chance at life? I would insist it get put down (the best thing that has ever happened to the animal)

Dear all members, The powers that be have made a ruling that member’s posts are not to be in any way negative, disavowing, or degarding in anyway to a company or any think in that matter. This means you CANNOT say the following for an exmple: Situation: “An under gravel filter is the best filter for a goldfish tank.†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to other kinds/types of filters on the market. Situation: “I once had a corner filter but now I have a power filter, which is a lot better.†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to corner filters. Situation: “I have found Pet Shop 1 better because it is a lot cheaper than Pet Shop 2.†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to Pet Shop 2. Situation: “I Can’t get any worms and bacteria in Auckland†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to Auckland.†Situation: “I don’t go to Circuses because I don’t like seeing the animals doing unnatural things†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to all Circuses.†(You CAN NOT correct it by): Situation: “I don’t go to Circus 1 because I don’t like seeing the animals doing unnatural things†REASON WHY YOU CAN’T: Because you would be effectively giving a bad reputation to Circus 1.†Please amend all you posts, or they will be removed! (See how crazy that ruling was!)

Maybe everyone who has post to my reply should read my reply AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! Many have made suggestions and comment, which I have justified in my reply why I didn’t decide to take that course of action. Maybe I made a mistake my naming the business. But I totally reject I was degrading a companies reputation It is still your choice if you want to give that company you custom. Anyway if I was (which I wasn’t) what is wrong with voicing my or your thoughts???? they where NOT: abusive (offensive), obscene (indecent), vulgar (coarse), slanderous (insulting), hateful, threatening, sexually orientated or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. If degrading is stating the truth, god help me! Since my message was removed I instruct you to remove ALL messages which are not positive towards a person, group and/or a company! (That includes everybody who replied to my post that have not supported me). I also ask you to write a letter to all the consumer-aid organisations/companies (consumer magazine, fair go, ect) and SPCA and SAFE telling them why you disapprove of what they are doing – campaigning against companies that use animals wrongfully – because all of them do and have named companies. Open your eyes! Are you shareholders or something??

I didn’t mean to offend anyone – but businesses exist to make money. If shops are not making money since a lack of business and custom the shop will try to improve its self – in many ways. It’s just basic economics. I was only expressing my personal opinion (which is my right); I wasn’t forcing people too agree with it – just raising the issue about a huge fish in a tank, which I think is not suitable for that animal. A past post raised the issue about contacting an organisation such as the SPCA – I don’t believe the SPCA would be able to achieve a lot: The SPCA has tried to improve living conditions for animals used in businesses for years: Examples: ‘Battery’ Hens I and thousands of New Zealanders have complained to the organisations, companies and a parliamentary select committee (I was taking it up personally with the people concerned) about the conditions these animals are kept in. But they (the animals) are and will continued to be kept in these conditions. The only way we the general public can stop the companies who use these methods is to vote which our wallets. Don’t support them! The consumer is the most powerful in companies (believe it or not). Sow Stalls (pigs) Again nothing has changed – pigs are and will continued to be in sow stalls. Circus Animals We have still got an African elephant, lions, and monkeys, driven around the country with chains around their hind feet and are kept caged, and/or tethered. Above are all situations where I believe animals miss-used and many organisations and a government departments have been involved. But sadly the animals are still and will continue to be used like this until their death. I could go in the shop till the day of my and the animal’s death and complain about the way this fish is treated. I am certain nothing would improve for the animal. Because the business is still doing what a business is there to do. Make money. The reason they are making moneys because the public is still supporting them (and that’s their right). I was only raising the issue of not supporting this business – it was still your choice if you wanted too. Someone could have replied why this animal is treated like this and why they think it is good. I don’t thinks its helpful just shutting down the topic by deleting people’s posts – wouldn’t it be more helpful and healthy to debate the issue? Sure you may claim this is not why this board is for – but what is this board for? Is not about improving animals (fish) lives? Informing people? Debating topics? I would just like to state again: I was only expressing my personal opinion; I wasn’t forcing people too agree with it – just raising the issue about a huge fish in a tank, which I think is not suitable for that animal.

I agree which a lot what Richard stated in his post. I think we all had high hopes when Animates first opened, because it was different from the traditional corner pet shop. I have notice the gold fish breeder in Lower Hutt (Goldfish Varieties Water plants and lilies) has started up again. It closed down around 7 years ago when the former owner/operator died. I got my first fishes from there around 9 years ago and I have still got them now! They were very reasonably priced and extremely busy. The address of the breeder follows: Goldfish Varieties Water plants and lillies (2001) 80 Pharazyn Street Lower Hutt Wellington Ph: 04 5868188 I would like to hear has anyone been there since it has re-opened, or was anyone a former customer; like me.

I would have to agree in Animates their tanks set up is excellent – great to look at while in the shop. I have been in the shop several times and I have found the staff unknowable and not incomprehensible. They are very friendly and great salespersons, but not that knowable. I have wondered if they have them commercially maintained. Once when my tank had the parasite Nematodes I went and asked if what this worms was, at the time I didn’t know what they where. They didn’t have a clue! I found out the next time I went to my vet!

What pet shops would you recommend in the Wellington region? I mainly motivated by price. Many of the big, up-market shops such as Animates prices are very excessive (my opinion). I hope everybody has a very merry Christmas! – Thanks for all your help so far!

I am just getting back into my fish. I have noticed the stream at the local park has a plentiful supply of oxygen weed (Lagarosiphon major). I would like to know if it would be safe for me to un-root/cut some and plant it in my goldfish tank? If not how can I make it safe? Or shouldn’t I do it all together? I hope everybody has a very merry Christmas! – Thanks for all your help so far!

I have been into a few a few pet shops here looking for a Powerhead filter and haven't had much luck. Are the Power heads sold separate from the Undergravel fiter plates and tubes or do the power heads come with the tubes and plates? What experiences have you had with undergravel filters powered by a powerhead? What brands of powerheads / Undergravel filters do you recommend I want a power that is quite, and adjustable in power??? Thanks!

Yes I do have enough filtration (however I would like to improvement, but its more than OK) and just over 1.5" of gravel. I have a coloured light, however since the tank in a situation, which receives penalty of natural light - it is not need through the day.

Hey, I am a new to this website, but differently not to goldfish. I have got 3 large and what I think very happy 8-year-old goldfish. I generally don’t have plants in my tank because of the bad and troublesome experiences that I have in the past. I would like to know what is the best all around good plant you would recommend for a large goldfish tank. I brought plants from the a pet shop (animates) in the pasted and had no luck, they seem to just sit in the tank and rot. I would like to know what would be the best plant, that would help keep my tank heathly.