Warren

Dude to consideration of the Trademe Section rules, a slight oversight and a consequential ammendment to the rules, this thread has been restored to it's original state and unlocked.

I used to use 6500 fluros. I now use 5100K metal halides. I think next time I replace the halides I'll go for 6500K though. The 5100K is a bit too green/yellow.

He's the guy who supplies the different coloured lights!!

As Chim says, just do a "Whois" on the site domain name and you get all the details. Who knows, the guy may have changed in the last 2 years. He's certainly keen. Let's hope he can keep it together...

No, that was someone else.

It looks like it was set up and is owned by Michael Tan, formerly known on this site as Perky and Marine Importer.

I've had some fish go black once when I accidentally got some toxic stuff in the tank. It came off a piece of unpainted customwood lying across the top of the tank. Could something have contaminated the water?

Would be fine if it has been glued as well as stapled. If it's not glued then I agree, it might be risky. You could try sitting on the shelf and giving it a good shake. If it doesn't creak or wobble then it should be fine.

What help you need??

Correction, I paid approx $5.00 per bag = $150 and $450 for freight = $600 so the real cost was $20 per bag.

Yeah I have one and they're great. The bit that sticks out at the top allows you to adjust the balance of the flow between the surface and the bottom so it doesn't suck in air. I found it worked best on about a 1200L/hour flow rate. Anything more and it sucked in air and less it didn't work as well. It completely removed the oily film on the surface. Works well on planted tanks where there is no surface movement and large buildup of muck...

Update, HBAS bank account number added, direct credit reference and registration form updated. Caryl, I left the spelling mistake in it just for you...

Update, final registration date added, 15th May. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fnzas_conference_2007/

High Phosphate and/or high Nitrate can cause plants to melt. Do you have a test kit you can measure either of these? If you don't want to fork-out for these, some LFS will test the water for you for a small fee. Ring around first to find out who will do it. In the early stages of a tank setup, it's good to have the test kits so you can keep an eye on the levels and they'll help you learn what effects them. You'll learn ways to control the tank how you want it. Not knowing what effects what means you're running blind...

20ppm is good with an acceptable range 10-40ppm. I aim for 10ppm and normally have a level close to it.

Your maths is fine but I think the weight of the stone might be off a bit. My tank is a wee bit bigger but it's got 750kg of gravel in it. NZ has quite heavy stone so I think you'll find it's more like 3-4kg per liter. So you'll likely need around 75-100kg of gravel, based off what's in my tank. I used 30 x 25kg bags and got them for $20 each, direct from Southland Sand and Gravel in Invercargil. Their minimum order quantity is 1000kg so you won't be able to buy from there. A local fish shop or landscape supply should be able to help. Try one 25kg bag first and gauge from that how many more you'll need. It will depend a lot on the type of stone, some are considerably lighter than others.

Never too late, - welcome!!

I'm an electronics/electrical engineer so unfortunately I had the nerdy thing happening at school - my maths is really good. My spelling sucks instead...

Basically if it's on 24/7 using 7200Wh of energy then that's what it takes to keep the tank warm. Using a 500W heater doesn't mean it will use less power. If it needs 7200Wh for example, the 500W heater will not be on for 12 hours, it will be on for 14 hours and 24 minutes. Joules are joules and you can't use less without the tank temp dropping.

Too bad, you'll have to live with it. Didn't have spell checker turned on in Excel.

It's not an estimate, it's a calculation so it's accurate...

Umm, please read the information on the Conference page...

The Conference Page is up and running. Feel free to ask questions here. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fnzas_conference_2007/ It's in a pretty raw state after picking up the job of doing the basic organisation on Monday and having to find new accommodation due to the original plan being much too expensive. Fortunately I have all the documentation from organising conference 2002 so have a great starting point.

Fishroom is gone... I'll be posting details on the main part of the FNZAS site tomorrow and will put a link here to it. Everything you need to know will be there.

I've now sort of taken over the basic organisation of things. Looks like we have a deal for a flat rate of approx $38.00 per person per night. I have a couple more places to check but so far this is looking the best. Accommodation prices have gone up a huge amount in Napier and Hastings with some places asking stupid amounts (like $140 per room for an old 70's style junk-room). It reflects the absurd price increases in property in the area. It all just equates to greed... At any rate I should have something up by Wednesday night and hopefully the HBAS will dispatch forms to clubs by mail by the end of the week.