livingart

hey guys I'm closing down my monster tank and I'm regretfully selling all my monsters. Please not all these fish are currently living in an 800l tank which is considered minimum for many of these fish. All fish need to be picked up as shipping such big is almost always fatal. For sale is
35cm Datniod (borneo tiger) - $200 - has never been fed live food only masivore and carnisticks
30cm distichodous (6-bar) - $50
2x 15cm threadfin Acara - $100 for two
2x 15cm geophagus surinamensis - $50 for two
4x 10-15cm orange head tapajoas - $100 for 4
35cm tire track eel - $50 - eats carnisticks 
35cm Ghost knife fish - $100 
20cm Delhezi bichir - $50
25cm featherfin synodontis - $50
 20cm red spot severum - $50
10cm flag tail prochilodous - $80
30cm royal panaque - $300
3x 15-20cm pink tail chalceous - $100 for 3
15cm leopard ctenopoma - $50
I'll post some more photos tonight as my phone is having issues uploading. I will also be selling two 800l+ tanks in the near future I will post photos  tonight.

This year the FNZAS is giving back something in return for the capitations you pay as a club member to the federation.
The opportunity to take part in a raffle for a new aquarium worth over $2000 
ONE LUCKY FINANCIAL MEMBER WILL WIN THIS.


SO MAKE SURE YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS REGISTERED FOR THE DRAW

I hope she is right handed.

We are lucky to have so many great weeds to feed in NZ, no need to buy "salad" or pallets........ 

I've just got to get past my 'it's overstocked!' instincts. I know the filters can handle more fish and aggression will be less with more but so many years of more typical community tanks is hard to shake!

Rhinecanthus aculeatus - Picasso triggerfish and Acanthurus sohal - Sohal surgeonfish


Pygoplites diacanthus - Regal angelfish


Wyoming White Clownfish


Coral reef

Scroll to the bottom for details on how to order   The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium
$25
2018, New Holland Publishers Paperback 208 pages Back blurb text: New Zealand’s unique native freshwater fish have been too long ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but they are surprisingly charismatic, intriguing, and bursting with personality. Difficult to observe in the wild, the fish are much more accessible and tangible in the aquarium, immediately becoming advocates for the conservation of their freshwater habitats. Native fish are an interesting and unusual alternative to exotic aquarium species. They are easy to look after in the aquarium thanks to this comprehensive and practical guide. Stella McQueen’s enthusiasm and expertise is evident on every page. This book: Discusses the species most suited to aquaria, with a strong focus on conservation and ethical fish keeping. Covers how to find, catch and look after native fish, with tips on how to identify different species. Provides an understanding of the fish in their natural environment, with suggestions for creating an attractive aquarium reflecting these habitats. Is for scientists, fish keepers and the generally curious alike. A Photographic Guide To Freshwater Fishes of New Zealand
$26
2013, New Holland Publishers 144 pages Paperback Back blurb text: Highly illustrated guide to more than 60 species, complete with distribution maps Compact, easy-to-use format; the ideal pocket-size travelling companion. Authoritative, comprehensive text describing key identification features. Stella McQueen has a postgraduate diploma in freshwater ecology from Massey University. She is the author of The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium. Rod Morris is one of the country’s most talented natural history photographers and filmmakers, and is the author of several books on New Zealand’s wildlife. How to Order
Aquarium Guide $25 plus $4.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Photographic Guide $26 plus $3.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Order BOTH and save on postage, total cost $55.50 Rural delivery: please add $3.70. To order, make the deposit into my account: SL McQueen 38-9007-0097395-07 Reference: the start of your email address. Then drop an email to me at [email protected], noting which books you would like, your address, and if you would like your books signed. I am happy to just sign my name or address it to you or your gift recipient. I can also provide a receipt if needed.

Mesonauta festivus - Festive Cichlid


Betta splendens - Female Crowntail Siamese Fighting Fish


Danio aesculapii - Panther danio


Symphysodon aequifasciatus - Stardust discus

Dianema urostriatum - Flagtail catfish

I keep chocolate gouramis in a blackwater tank.  For water changes I make tannin-stained water with a pH of around 5 using Yates Hauraki Gold peat in a coffee maker (the old school kind that drips hot water through the grounds).  A lot of sources say that pH doesn't matter and that soft water is what counts, but I found that the chocolates I had didn't look good or stay healthy for long until I brought the pH way down with peat.  My remaining pair is going strong, and a few days ago I got five more to keep them company.
The newbies are in a quarantine tank and I have been changing out some of their water for peat water every day to acclimatise them to the conditions of the display tank.  The quarantine filter wasn't cycled so I've been feeding light, every second day in addition to doing 50% daily water changes.  I have tested pH daily to keep an eye on the drop, but yesterday I tested for ammonia and nitrite too and was startled to find that not only was ammonia already at 1 ppm before I did the water change, it actually increased after the water change.
Now, the fish in quarantine have not showed any abnormal behaviour and I even saw courting today.  The pH is currently at or below 6 (bottom limit of the API test, will use SERA next time as it covers low range) and at that low pH the ammonia is not toxic to the fish, so I'm not concerned for their immediate welfare.  (I will be checking often for nitrite as I understand that it is more toxic in acid conditions.)  
But I was disturbed, because as the peat doesn't have any added fertilisers, it never occurred to me that it would contain ammonia.  So, I made up another batch of peat water today and tested it - it look to be somewhere between 2 and 4 ppm, I couldn't really tell, but high.  I tested my display tank, which had a water change the day before yesterday - barest trace of ammonia, no nitrite, nitrate about 5ppm.  I've obviously been unknowingly dumping ammonia in there for ages and the filter just clears it over a few days.
I'm puzzled.  A quick internet search didn't yield much information, a couple of aquarists who have found that their peat contains ammonia, a couple of companies who sell peat praising it for being excellent at absorbing ammonia.  Does all peat naturally contain ammonia?  Does anyone know?  I am on my second bag of peat, I have no idea whether the first bag I used added ammonia though I suppose it did.  I do remember when I started using it being concerned about the beneficial bacteria dying off as the pH dropped, and I tested to check.  I didn't see any ammonia at the time, but I'm sure I would have tested before a water change, not afterwards.  What about peat granules sold for aquarium use, has anyone ever tested them?  It seems very odd to me that peat is widely recommended as a natural way to soften water, with no mention of releasing ammonia.
And what about water changes going forward?  I really want to keep the pH down and the peat is the only way that has worked for me - using distilled water only got me down to high 6's and I was still losing fish.  They are now healthy, vibrant and apparently happy in their peat water, so perhaps I should keep just doing what I'm doing and not worry about the ammonia?
If anyone here has experience with blackwater tanks and/or using peat, I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts.

A good tip for those that have digging fish

Hi all
I have just set up a sanded Cory tank & found a great idea on YouTube for anchoring plants. Just get a plastic milk bottle top, cut an X in it, push the plant roots through the lid, underside up, push in the sand and top the lid up with sand! Once the plants have grown, & settled, I guess you could cut the lid away. Giving it a go, work so far!

Scroll to the bottom for details on how to order   The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium
$25
2018, New Holland Publishers Paperback 208 pages Back blurb text: New Zealand’s unique native freshwater fish have been too long ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but they are surprisingly charismatic, intriguing, and bursting with personality. Difficult to observe in the wild, the fish are much more accessible and tangible in the aquarium, immediately becoming advocates for the conservation of their freshwater habitats. Native fish are an interesting and unusual alternative to exotic aquarium species. They are easy to look after in the aquarium thanks to this comprehensive and practical guide. Stella McQueen’s enthusiasm and expertise is evident on every page. This book: Discusses the species most suited to aquaria, with a strong focus on conservation and ethical fish keeping. Covers how to find, catch and look after native fish, with tips on how to identify different species. Provides an understanding of the fish in their natural environment, with suggestions for creating an attractive aquarium reflecting these habitats. Is for scientists, fish keepers and the generally curious alike. A Photographic Guide To Freshwater Fishes of New Zealand
$26
2013, New Holland Publishers 144 pages Paperback Back blurb text: Highly illustrated guide to more than 60 species, complete with distribution maps Compact, easy-to-use format; the ideal pocket-size travelling companion. Authoritative, comprehensive text describing key identification features. Stella McQueen has a postgraduate diploma in freshwater ecology from Massey University. She is the author of The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium. Rod Morris is one of the country’s most talented natural history photographers and filmmakers, and is the author of several books on New Zealand’s wildlife. How to Order
Aquarium Guide $25 plus $4.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Photographic Guide $26 plus $3.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Order BOTH and save on postage, total cost $55.50 Rural delivery: please add $3.70. To order, make the deposit into my account: SL McQueen 38-9007-0097395-07 Reference: the start of your email address. Then drop an email to me at [email protected], noting which books you would like, your address, and if you would like your books signed. I am happy to just sign my name or address it to you or your gift recipient. I can also provide a receipt if needed.

Probably not as the kokopu may be territorial by now

Rotala wallichii - Submersed grown plant

A bit of a journey but mother nature always seems to balance it out

Hi everybody.
Hope you all had a great Christmas and safe New Years.
My name is Jon and I want to introduce you all to my new company, Scales and Tails.
I have taken over the import of the premium German product, Sera.
My goal is to have Sera as a everyday household brand for brand new fish/reptile keeper to the most experienced.
I am working on the product every day and expanding the range as quickly as possible.
My prices are pocket friendly with free shipping option to boot.
Check us out and www.scalesandtails.co.nz
20% off until midnight tonight with the code SERA, but dont worry. Until the end of January ill be running daily specials and promotions.
follow us on facebook; Scales and Tails to keep up with us and feel free to reach out to talk anything wet :).

For you Apistogramma lovers.
http://apisto.sites.no/default.aspx

After moving to NZ in 2014 from Ohio, I have finally got a tank up and running!
 
 

I have added the plants names
 
https://www.niwa.co.nz/sites/niwa.co.nz/files/import/attachments/aquarium_low_risk.pdf

Some photos from 10 years ago   
 

Longnose hawkfish - Oxycirrhites typus


Blotched Hawkfish - Cirrhitichthys aprinus


Checkerboard Wrasse - Halichoeres hortulanus


Blueface Angelfish - Pomacanthus xanthometopon


Blue Ring Angelfish - Pomacanthus annularis


Purple firefish - Nemateleotris decora


Clown Anemone Shrimp - Periclimenes brevicarpalis


Blotched Hawkfish - Cirrhitichthys aprinus

 

Wow, this is a busy site ;-)
Anyway, just in case anyone is interested. I was just on the phone with Stockers (Cambridge)  aka hydroponics.co.nz.  They sell micro nutrient mix. BUT, they would not tell me what was in it. Refused to tell me % Fe, Mn etc etc.  Before I buy I would like to know what it is that I buy. Sounds reasonable to me.  Will not buy from them.
Search continues

Three Sisters and the Elephant Rock - Tongaporutu