camnbron

Or, the skimmer is like a hose syphoning out of a bucket sucking the crud out of the bottom of said bucket into a collection cup. It only works when you start the syphon. If you don't clean it it will get blocked in time. You need to empty the collection cup otherwise it will flood. The above skimmer from peoples experiences is like a small diameter hose made of rubber that kinks easily. What people are suggesting is to get a hose that is bigger and made of a more solid material

So are you going to go ahead with using miracle mud? No chromis on your list, what about shrimps?

Come on you Christchurchians! Get in behind tHEcONCH!

Irrespective of age, cover the basics. Explain the requirement to cycle the tank before the fish go in and the tests required. Talk about pH and temperature. And if possible leave some books/information with them Maybe talk about fish from different areas - Africa, asia and south america The teacher should be able to use that kind of stuff in the units for the year and kids are like sponges so will suck up heaps (and hopefully get into the hobby too) Stock wise, I'd say keep it simple, platys, neons, a bristlenose. The more bulletproof the better.

Whoops [insert smack in back of head icon here] Nelson/Napier my bad. Sorry about that RTBS - for some reason I had it in my mind you were in Napier then got my 'N' towns mixed up! Perren - there are a few reefers in Napier/Hastings one of the members is Bruce, this is a link to a post of his: http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/red-sea-max-now-at-deco-city-pets-vp220038.html#220038

You could contact a local reefer (PM) and see if they have any extra live rock to spare. Only one I know that is in Nelson off the top of my head is the member known as RTBS

I'm happy to lend a hand if I can. Just let me know what I need to do. Willing to travel for a good cause!

good old google. Just did a search for Pro-twin skimmer, saw something about Rio in some results, modified my search, and Ta-da!

and I think we have a winner!!! Click here

Drifty's overflow setup looks like one to copy, I reckon. I'd just put some strainers on the intake ends Dimensions wise if I was you I'd go the 4 foot size(1220mm) but if you can fit it in make your depth 600 or more. Mines 1220Long x550Deep x600High from memory. If I could have I would have gone 600Deep. Next time. Other equipment you may want to consider (IMO) is: Circulation pumps Calcium reactor Now if you had the dosh consider investing in a profilux controller. Some reasons being: 1. Temperature indication & control 2. Lighting control (including dimming of T5s) 3. Circulation pump flow control (including variable speed) 4. pH indication and control 5. Water top-up control 6. Snazzy storm functions 7. Control via internet and WLan 8. Its an awesome toy Since you will more than likely have a sump look at the deltec TS1250 as an option for the skimmer. Lighting, yup, 2 x 150Watters and 2 x 54watters. You could probably fit another 150 in as well but it starts to get tight.

could you get a piece of glass cut and have it step around the overflow section? Thats what the tank builder did for my tank. Heres a picture: It has no brace into corner but a piece joining the 2 braces outside of the overflow

Very true, Mick Jager lips but with Elvis Presley sideburns!!

Hey Swampy your mandarin reminds me of Mick Jager!

Hi DantezGirl, I don't know any marine tank people in Taupo, but if you headed up the road to Wonderworlds in Rotorua, you could have a look at their display tank. Then you could can see what a sump, skimmer, pumps, live rock, etc look like in the flesh. But like I said before "don't take your wallet!" Here is a link to the list of all fish (salt and fresh), corals and invertebrates that are allowed into our Country: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/fisornic.all.htm That should answer your - can I get this in NZ questions An RODI is just a fancy water filter unit that we use for our marine tanks to do two different things: 1. Replace pure water that evaporates (the salt does not evaporate, it stays in the tank) 2. Make up Artificial salt water for water changes. The reason we use a water filter is so we don't introduce things like phosphates, nitrates and other greeblies that could cause bad algae to grow or hurt our tank inhabitants

Nah, sweet thats whats forums are for: sharing the information and experiences. If you wanted to see one in the flesh go to Wonderworlds in Rotorua. They have a couple for sale. Just don't take your wallet!!

Wasn't there a subject posted last year about being able to train your fish to do tricks. If you type train goldfish tricks into google there are some you tube links. I can't access them at the moment - at work Edited to add after seeing Gannets post below: Top man Gannet!

I would suggest you do some reasearch into the requirements for mandarins. In simple terms, what I have learnt from people on this forum - and there are a few who have these fish are: They are not easy fish to look after. They eat critters that live in your tank. They can be trained onto other food but it is difficult. They look pretty. Suggestions are: Don't put this type of fish into a tank until it has a large population of critters to eat. Don't put other fish in the tank that compete for the same food Train it to eat other food Awesome fish just not a first into the tank kind of fish

I have been using NSW on my tank for about 7 months. Its handy if you have friends that go fishing lots - just ask them nicely to take some containers and fill them up before they head back in. I would suggest that if you are store NSW for your tank that you use food grade containers and if they are secondhand ensure they are very well cleaned out. I know of a couple of Aucklanders that didn't clean them out enough and introduced some form of sugar into their tanks which related in some storck losses.

Sounds like you had better update this post there markoshark.. So, are you going to give miracle mud a try? If so, thats cool, it will be interesting to see how yours and reefs tanks go with it.

Cool, I'll be watching out for updates of this subject with interest. Good to see people giving other products and methods a go

Nah get the Tunze one: http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C=NZ&user_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxober002 Maybe Aquanet could get you one in

Yeah I read that on an international forum (can't remember which one). Yikes Reef, that link was a bit freaky - will be interesting to follow that post to see what it is confirmed as.

Don't worry Caper the dogs are working on it!! (for different reasons)

Some visual aid for you Caper