frank

Hi Pies, Can't be of any help with pumps But have run the larger Via Aqua filters for a number of years with no problems. For me they have proven to be reliable and reasonably easy to maintain and service. They are a little basic in construction but seem to be sturdy units running quietly and efficiently. One could only assume that this should also apply to other items in their range. In my opinion good equipment at a good price. Regards, Frank.

To all on this topic, If you use your scroll bar and go back up to the top of this page you will see that a simple question was asked, however the wrong words were used. The question should have read - Where in another part of the country other than Wellington can I find a pet store that has pushy staff that work for about $9.00 hr, know little about fish, where the prices are high and a big fish is cramped in a small tank. Come on guys, while many of these points may be valid and make for hot debate, they in no way answer the original question. Remember we are talking about what is for most of us an enjoyable pleasant and relaxing hobby, the retail side of which should also be so. In my experience no one store can be all to everyone, some have a great range of stock, some have experts offering great advice, some carry unusual live stock. Take the best from each and leave the rest, and remember that in most cases, it is the retailers that keep us supplied with all the bits we need. I believe this page is called Beginners corner. If the original question here was mine I would be leaving this site as a beginner, thinking that there were no good pet stores in wellington or in any other part of the country, because the people I had asked for help could only tell me where not to go. I don't believe in dodging important issues, but a place where new comers to our hobby go to learn and get advice is, in my opinion not the place for debating the negatives. Andrew, I don't live in wellington but if you are ever in Christchurch I can point you in the direction of a number of good pet stores, each with it's own strong points. (Including Animates). Remember to enjoy your fish, that's what the hobby is all about. Frank.

Just to let you all know that after promising an article on my tank, I have finally managed to get part one posted(complete with pictures). You can view it by going to the Articles section of this website and looking under the technical heading. By the way, if I had known how many of you would have a dig at me over "large odd balls", I would have used a different phrase. Love this website. A great weekend to all. PS, Some feedback on the article would be nice, don't worry I can take it if you hate it, let me know if you want to see further installments. See ya, FRANK

Here it comes folks, a step by step guide on how to build a large tank, from the ground up the frank way. Please be aware that the ideas and suggestions that follow are things that I have found to work for me, they are not intended to be gospel, as is always the case there are many other viable and workable solutions to any given situation. Much of what is to follow could be described as common sense and anyone that has a large tank system would probably aggree, however much can be taken from someone that has done it, you can gleen only so much from books etc, nothing beats figuring it out for yourself, screw it up then do it again, a great way to learn. Please feel free to comment along the way, I will take absolutely no offense to being told that I have done something wrong or made unecessary work for my self by doing it the hard way, and at the other end of the scale I will be delighted if some of my simple ideas make it into some one elses set up. I will include photos at appropriate points especially where an explanation in words could make volumes. I hope that the following installments, probably over a week or two, as time permits me to write, are found to be of interest and of use to some of you. STAY TUNED, a picture of my tank and a brief overview will follow soon. FRANK. :

To those of you who took the time to respond to my intro I say thanks, it's great to be made to feel welcome. I see that many of you have a sense of humour, ("odd ball in the garden"), In answer to some of your questions,- slip me a couple of K, then yes a 12 footer would be in the pipeline, I thouht 7 foot, while fitting the available space, would satisfy my desire for a big tank, but no, the bug grows, (don't tell my wife but one day, a wall knocked out and some alterations and presto, room for a bigger tank). :roll: How did I get started in the hobby. Well it all happened one day while I was trying to rescue some orphans from a gang of marauding headhunters when I was abducted by aliens and------ oh, wrong story. Actually my wife got me started when she set up a small 2ft community tank, I took an interest and have never looked back. It was't long before I felt the urge to keep fish of a size that you didn't need a magnifying glass to view, pretty as those neon tetras were, they are just not substantial enough for a bloke who thinks big. Bigger fish meant bigger tanks, bigger filtration, and bigger problems, and required a great deal more thought and planning. Just the way I like it, problems to solve, gadgets to make and lots of ideas to try, (all on a budget as I have not yet won lotto). Now I have a great feature tank filled with large fish with large personalities, I'm now reasonably happy, but looking foreward to the next project, bigger & better. :roll: If anyone is interested, I will post a small series in the tech column, outlinig some my experiences in setting up a large tank, some of my own gadgets,& and the things to consider when building a biggie. Thanks for tuning in.

Good morning all. Frank's my name, photographer by proffession, & fish keeper when not doting on my 6 month old daughter. Firm believer that big is better, just ask my fish,- Oscar, Clown knife, Severums, Plecs, all happy & healthy residents in 7ft tank. Keen DIY-er, always trying to improve my tank systems. Have had some great succes's and some dismal failures, maybe tell you about them some time. Always on the lookout for large odd balls. Great to find a bunch of people who enjoy the same. Looking foreward to hearing from you guys, please Email me [email protected]. Lets talk fish.