Poppy

The Coastlands shop is excellent. Please dont misunderstand me.....I was not referring to that one :)

I agree with Alan. So long as it doesn't turn into a slanging match or insults. I was sent to Paraparaumu to obtain something I was looking for. The shop I went to had tanks so green and thick that I couldn't find the fish. I was horrified to think that this might be the only place I could find to buy what I wanted. No way did I want to support a shop like that. Luckily I was in the wrong shop and soon found the right one. The only thing the first shop did was make me vow never to return and sent me looking for the other. So I guess the bad business is good advertising for the good in a roundabout sort of way. Keeps everyone on their toes.

You mean like the ones who's water is so green you cant find the fish?

and my favorite tenant . . he's a bit shy, about 6 inches long and hard to photograph

Thanks folks. The blackout never helped, the water tests fine (dont ask me what 'fine' is as I dont know but I am assured it is) The fish have been added at the prescribed rate (worked out by the people around me who know about these things) and the balance has stayed good. I tried some fluc (Aqua clear) as it seemed like it might be fine particles. Noticible difference this morning. Another dose tonight and we should be sparkling....... hopefully. I have a couple of pics. Do you want me to put them here or somewhere else?

I've got 280L corner unit, running a decent sized cannister pump and a good balance of community fish. Tiger barbs, kissing gouramis, angels, rams, a couple of loaches and a large Featherfin Sydonytis. About 6 or 8 plants that seem to be thriving. River rocks & gravel. The whole thing has been together about 8 weeks with fish being added each week after the first week empty. Problem is a slight haze, almost blue. Initially I thought that as the tank settled and the fishies made it their home, all would come to a balance and clear . . . . . . or am I worrying prematurely? Any advice or thoughts welcome.

I have recently introduced one largish and 2 small angels to my comm tank which has a shoal of Tiger & gold barbs. So far no probs. The angels are quite aloof and the barbs take no notice whatsoever they just go on playing & buzzing around the place. I'm wondering how a pair of clown loaches wold go with my lot. I have 280L corner unit. 6 tiger barbs 4 gold barbs 4 small kissing gouramis 1 tiger loach 2 blue rams 1 red tailed shark 2 albino cats 3 angels 1 large featherfin synodontis One small problem I have is that we have 2 fish retailers in town and both often offer opposing advice regarding compatibility

I have 8 tiger barbs 4 golden barbs 4 sm kissing gouramis 2 sm blue rams 1 re tailed shark 1 very Large Featherfin Sydontis All get on well. The barbs are no problem. The tigers and golds school together (I was told they wouldn't) When the gouramis are kissing The tiger barbs sometimes look like wanting to play the same game. Very comical. They add lovely moving colour to the tank. Mind you I have a 300 L corner unit.

I want to thank so many of you for the encouraging words and suggestions of help and assistance. Much of it I have taken on board. Read screeds, looked at other tanks, and surfed around looking at all sorts of stuff. I have come to a number of conclusions. 1. I knew it was going to be time consuming but I was more prepared for an ongoing weekly/daily input, not quite the long startup period. 2. The 280 L tank I have is a corner unit and has a lot of depth however having looked around I think I would like to do this on a bigger scale to do it credit. All that work seems a shame to limit the options with the smaller tank. 3. For what I had in mind I was not prepared to need the extras like sump etc (which I can see is very beneficial). Thus the space factor is a new problem I had not envisaged. 4. Quite simply I was not prepared for the hugeness of the subject. I was prepared for it to be very different but not this. It has however not put me off, merely made me change tactics. I will now set up this tank as freshwater for the grandchildren to enjoy. I will set aside all the dead coral, bio filters and stuff for another day when I am better able and prepared to go into this with full knowledge. With this I thank you all enormously. I can now see perhaps why I got off on the wrong foot in this forum, but hopefully before too long I will be back. Much much wiser.

Okay .. . weapons down and peace flag flying. The written word is often seen by some as so different to others. I read things in I shouldn't have perhaps. I did apologise & I was serious about it. Back to square one....................... Yes I have invested in a book. (I am a bookseller by trade, it goes without saying for me) Yes I am blonde but I dont consider myself a ditz. I never expected to put water in my tank tomorrow. Nor did I know what a powerhead was. Nor what dead or live rock was. Nor that anenomes are difficult or 'different' to other things Nor what 'better light' is - better than what? Nor the ratio of fish to water. Nor can I visit any tanks as I know of none other than a very distant pet shop. Nor know what will give me 'better quality water' than current equipment allows. This is what I came here for. I honestly believed that coming in here I could ask these questions & hope for a reaosnable ammount of help. For me to buy the required, or better, I need to know what fits that bill. Although finances are obviously an issue, I am aware it is costly, I am aware its time consuming, and I am aware its not instant. Thus the research and time spending learning.... If I have been wrong in any of my expectations than please say so & I will wander off elsewhere Wasp & Feelers.... Thank you, and Yes, Dudette, but no not Foxton. Foxton is 2 beaches south of me.

In other words, buy a book and dont ask dumb questions here? I actually never saw any sign on the door that said the forum was for experienced people only

Pies, I did say 'initially. And I'm sorry that my honesty upset you., but I did not choose to be peeved, it was merely what you conveyed to me in your response. I dont control that. I'm really sorry I wasted 5 minutes of your time. It wasn't my intention, nor was offending you. My excitement of starting the road to realising a long held dream had just been shot to pieces with the implication that I was jumping into something I had no right to. You never once told me what I needed, merely that I needed better than I have. To the inexperienced this is no help whatsoever. Again, I am sorry that I offended.

Thank you for your help, both in this forum and privately. I was fully aware I did not have all the equipment I required, I was asking however if what I did have was sufficient for my needs. Obviously not entirely., so thank you for those who input here. I admit to initially feelling a bit peeved at Pies response. I actually felt I had been rapped over the knuckles for even thinking I might like to do this. However I suppose Pies has no knowledge whether I am a 'wannabe' or a ditz who thinks everything can be instant. Or even dumb enough to emark on this sort of project without books or reading. Part of my research into the project was to ask here. I was told I would get some guidance . . . sorry but that resonse tells me I need more knowledge before I ask here. Many thanks tho for taking the time to reply . . . .and to wasp for your helpful and encouraging response:)

I hope I am not out of line or off topic, if so then please excuse and feel free to boot me where it belongs . . . I have at last aquired some gear with the plan of having a marine tank. Unsure if its realistic but ideally I'd like a couple of clownfish and maybe 6 or so other brightly coloured warmwater fish. An anenome or two and some coral. What I have is a * corner tank & stand, approx 280L * Biolife 55 Filter with inbuilt heater * Hidor Prime 30 900 LPH External Power Filter * Heaters * 1 tub of Coral/Sand gravel * 1 tub of Shells/Sand gravel * Assorted dead corals and decorative pieces (That blurb straight from the sales pitch) Questions..... 1. Does the gear seem suitable for my plans? 2. I am honestly at a loss as to my next move 3. Can anyone point me to a website that will walk me through the process in non tech terms. 4. Do the fish/corals etc travel well by courier (same island). Feel free to consider me dumb on this subject, but I am a keen learner. Thanks

Thank you all so much for a lovely welcome. Such a friendly and welcoming site, a pleasure to return to. Currently still planning the whole thing in my head. Reality might hit when I track down some prices as I have absolutley no clues even to ballpark figures yet.. I will however start with a second hand tank. That way I can get a better one that if I was buying new.........at least that is the theory. Cheers