seftonearl

All was well yesterday, no fish lost , killies feeding well, the Guppies are chewing each others tails, is that a pecking order thing?. Just did a water change and scooped out a few more snails and gave the glass a clean. Cheers

Hi all. Well it was back to the Brain Injury Association yesterday and there have been a few things I need more answers on. First, Thanks Alan admin for the flake which arrived yesterday, it seems the address in the Telephone book was wrong on several counts, I will correct it latter. Anyway I did feed some and it didn't break up into small bits so some of the fish were sort of wrapped in it. I guess you have to crumble it up more before feeding?. Second, Ive lost two killies, small ones, found near the outlet tube, it has a cap with slots in it, I wounder if the small fish could get sucked against it and trapped? through one would think not , leaves etc do get stuck there. Third, Is it important to vac the substrate? I haven't done so yet, I do water changes every two to three weeks. I haven't got a siphon but can borrow one. I have been using a clean cloth to rub algae off the glass, is there a better way. I know, I need a algae eater. Thanks and cheers Bill

I had a source of white worms jacked up, alas, something got in a killed them all. The lady has water fleas, but are they good food? Mary says that fleas bite her over anyone else and is not keen. I know, not the same sort of fleas, but she hates fleas full stop. She is going to feed flake today and watch to see if they eat it or not. The killies were interested in the snails I was removing, do they eat them? if they are small enough. Evil 69, do you buy the brine shrimp from the store and add water to feed? I don't know much about them at all. All I can say is the killies have got a lot of growing to do, but I think they will be spectacular.

Thanks alanmin. the address is Headway House, 604 Willowpark Rd Parkvale, Hastings. Our fantastic Liaison officer, Mary Miller, feeds them once a day.

Hi again, Just been on holiday, the fish are still OK after having slow release food over the 1 month break. The plants are chewed, I will have to get the snails out today. Have cleaned out the algae, badly need a GBC to handle it. Anyone in Hawkes Bay offering? I have blown our budget, due to parts for the filter, and have had to donate quite a few of the 27 killies which I put into the tank yesterday. Thanks Aquanut/ Tim who sent them . I have just got to arrange their diet today, maybe live waterfles, anyone got any secrets on what to feed for best results?. Cheers Bill

The tank and guppies still look great, we now have 30+ snails from the six I counted after planting. This is not so bad as they are working on the algae all the time and keeping it under control. I would like to know how I can feed the guppies when we are closed down for the 4 week Christmas break. I have got some blocks, but they only last for 10 days. Is there a better product that works. ? There is a lot of plants growing so I guess they can nibble of those . Any thoughts.

Hi Alan, I'm sorry I just noticed that the reading was at the top end of the green, I will have to monitor it for a while, doesn't affect the guppies but the killifish like it cooler I think. One idea was to keep most of the curtains in the room closed. Just a note, I have decided to leave getting the killifish in till the new year when staff are on hand each day , it seams silly to get new fish in for 3 weeks and we then close down for the Christmas break. I will make sure the guppies get feed cheers.

Nice one Zev, more rams on the way. One of the problems I have found is that the Temp has increased in the house with the summer kicking off. I noticed that as the house isn't opened up every day I may have to find a way to cool the tank. Have you or anyone else any tips for doing that?> Cheers.

Well its been a fortnight since my last post, disappointed that there were no comments on my leak. Anyway, so far so good, its been as dry as a bone outside the tank, thank whoever. The fish have grown and coloured up some more, they seem very happy so I'm just about to order the 20 killies from aquanut. The plants are good some have been chewed on, snails have kept algae at bay. so cheers while I get on with ordering the new additions.

The fish are doing well, they have made the tank a home and are exploring every corner of it. Alas when I stuck my head in the door this morning there was a bucket on the floor, a wet carpet, and a steady drip, drip, drip, from the right hand front about 10 centimeters from the bottom. I was told it had only just started. What to do? panic. I thought I would have to get all the water, and fish out in order to effect a repair from the inside. However our chairman went away and returned with some clear sticky stuff which he put on the join outside the tank. The stuff? was manufactured to stop leaks in water pumps. Any way it didn't do much at all, nor did the Bluetak I put in the area on the inside of the tank, darn. Anyway as it didn't work I wiped it off with a paper towel, guess what, the leak stopped. It must have set a bit and then got pushed into the seam and hey presto. An hour later we also put a layer of Aquarium sealer on the outside so we haven't affected the fish and all is dry, no leak PHEW. Any comment welcome.

Zev arrived with six Guppies, great to meet her. The fish have settled in and were looking great at 3.30m when I left. I also have nine snails which I have not seen before, they must have come in on the plants. Now have 4 weeks to wait till I can add the Killifish. Thanks Zev, very nice of you to help.

Hi Zev, I will be there around 9.30am till about 3pm.Looking forward to meeting you. I Hope the system is running OK, if there had been a problem I guess I would have had a ring. Turn left down Willowpark rd coming from Havelock North. The house is on the right about two blocks from the end , it has a new tin fence with a sign on it. I'm not sure of the number but it is in the 600s cheers.

Still ticking along, put the new lights in place, The filter is operating great. There is a high pitched sound from it , quite, compared to a airline pump, but wounder if anyone else's does that and if anything can be done to fix it?. Other people thought it was a power hum from the electric supply. Please tell me if I need to do any water tests before the Guppies can be put in the tank?. Thanks.

Hi, The box says the lights are good for freshwater and marine tanks, I said purple but maybe blueish. Anyway I found the case was damaged in transit so its being replaced. Any other light with the 30 watt tubes was going to cost over $300 way to much for my budget. Zev, Thanks for the offer of the guppies, It might be best to let the filter work away for a week or so first. The drop in day I attend is on Thursdays with around 20 people. The BIA is in Willowpark Rd on the left , its called Headway House, there are signs on the fence. .You can phone me at 8787284. if you like, Bill.

Good news at last,I installed the spare parts in the impeller and after a bit of a struggle getting the air out of the tubes the filter is up and running. I also got the new light set, it has purple tubes 18,000 k which I suppose is a good thing. Only 40 watts but it seams brighter than the 120watt light I was using. The plants are planted they look OK. Trying to get some fish next week, any ideas, I thought 2 Golden Bristle nose. Will they be OK in the new tank? how long do I need to wait, do I need to make any water tests beforehand?/Thanks.

Well I just went ahead and did it, added plant food with extra minerals and also put in a echo bulb a $7 spiral which has a kelvin of 6,500 and puts out a 120 watt light for 25watts.It looks cool and will stay on for 10hrs a day until my fluorescent tube light comes next week. I will buy one tube for fish and plant growth but of course the two tubes are only 60watts all up.

Thanks again, Zev Ive only got the airline in to move the water until I get the Fluvial 403 going again. I was told plants don't like stagnant water?. I was sort of wanting to get the plants established before I get the fish in a few weeks. I haven't got any ordered at present so thought I better add the plant food, is this not necessary?.

Well I'm hanging in there, thanks for the encouragement Alanmin. I got another load of gravel in the tank, still question the amount, still can add at any time I guess. I placed the driftwood, it still colours the water a bit, can always take it out. Went and picked up $50 of plants. A great collection brought for me from a warehouse in Auckland. The plants are just floating at present, I have a airline moving the water around, I will get a air-stone tomorrow. I also intend to get some plant food to add to the tank. PLEASE WHAT IS THE BEST?. I got the filter going over the weekend. The shaft with its two rubber caps is not standard, so you have to bang it to get the impeller going. I can get a replacement. I did not have any leaks while it was running, but will get a G clamp to replace the 3 missing clips, now shared off at the base. Maybe a bolt and two washers is neater ? if I can get the washers to hook on tightly?. I spent the morning looking at lights, from trade shops to lighting direct. The best I came up with was a two tube 30 watt daylight 6,500 k from my LFS for around $89. Id like a bit more light but will see how we go. ANY THOUGHTS ON LIGHTS?. Cheers.

Hi again, Today it all turned to custard. First I put the substrate in that I had prepared and guess what, I need about as much again, it was only a inch thick. I got the ammonia absorbing substate out of the filter OK and got it back together. I then found that it would not pump. I put a hose into the outlet to get rid of air in the system, It didn't pump, I could hear the motor running but no go. Then Bang, the lid flew off, lots of water on the BIA's new carpet and Ive busted the outlet pipe at the loop. It looks as if two if the clips have sheared at the base where it attaches and Ill have work out how and if it can be clamped somehow without them???. Ill also have to establish why it wont pump???. All I can say is I didn't swear, honest.

Well it looks like more ceramic in the filter Zev . Id like a Guppy or three, thanks, Id even pay you if they were good looking Male's, it seams looking over the forum that fantastic ones are hard to find? Ive got a while to go before fish, may be 3 weeks at least. I have read that cat fish prefer sand substrate? killies as well? so I'm having second thoughts about the gravel that I spent half a day collecting and washing. What do you think? do I go instead for swimming poll sand??. Jn, I think you are right its a male GBA I like, from that great page you posted me it looks as if it leaves the plants alone, look great and wont get to big. I think Ive seen them on Trade me. Alanmin , I have a few books from the library but cant find the SAE you have, its scientific name may be a help, where do you buy them from?. Its sure a learning curve, and great fun .Thanks all , for your time.

Thank you very much indeed, that was the answer in a nutshell. Just what I need. I will follow your advice to the letter. It seams to me that I might as well put filter wool in the middle of the canisters filter?. Also the fish, the first 2 maybe Bristle nose catfish, don't they feed off the bottom eat leftover scrapes, peas, cucumber and driftwood don't get to big, and wont get into conflict with the killifish.? I'm not sure about a algae eater, Plecostomus, do I need one, they look great,( is there not a yellow one?) would it not get to big, or do you keep it till it does? I could have two of each which will take care of a few weeks to get the filter started. I'm thinking it would be a good idea to get any other fish established before the killies arrive, I'm not sure of species that will fit in. I like clown loachs, they like to be in a group? at least two.? Can any one give me ideas of other fish which will look fantastic and live with Killies?. Cheers.

Thanks will do that. I washed the sand but then worked out it was to fine to use. Washed the gravel and got a person who sells aquatic plants to say it was fine. Will put the substrate in next Thursday and will fire up the filter. Plants arrive from Auckland five days later. $50 worth mainly the ones recommended. Can someone tell why I need to remove the ammonia absorbing substrate from the filter.? any suggestions on what to replace it with. Do I have to put some fish in?( how many) before the filter cycles. How long before adding the main inhabitants?. Cheers Bill.

Ok, I think I will go ahead with this tank and see how it goes. I will make it jump proff useing split hose, and select compatable types of male only killies. I will remove the amonia remover from the filter, What do I replace it with.? I was going to add the plants, substrate and driftwood and some bottom feeders, bristle nosed catfish? and fire up the filter for a week to start to cycle it. Then add at least 12 killies. After a 2 week period maybe add another 12 killies and maybe 2 clown roaches.I need advice on the timeing for this. I collected the river gravel yesterday and sived out the larger stones. I then sived out the sand, I will put this on the bottem with the washed stones, the biggest around the size of my smallest fingernail on top.Is that OK?. I guess the plant roots go into the sand. Ill try and get a good range of plants. I have ordered a two tube 36in light from a LFS. I only spend one day a week at the drop in day house so can only do so much at a time. I will get the substrate and water in this week and heat it.22 degrees C. The plants maybe. I might have to soak the driftwood another week at least. Its putting out quite a bit of brown colour also at present. Anything I have missed out?. Bill

Thanks alanmin, that has helped put me back on track. Have you found is best to put a plant substrate down with dark sand on top in order to get good growth for the plants. What do you use? It seems Plants may have less than ideal light.? In fact can you or anyone give me and idea of what lights I should buy? I was guessing 2x 36in tubes but dont know what type or wattage.Thanks.

Hi there again, Well you have given me plenty to think about. First the Killies I was looking at are on Trade me from Tim, He has quite a range I thought one of each. Im not sure of the size?, not that happy with small. I need some actitivy as well, may be a different fish?.I got a bit carried away by the colours. It looks as if you saved me $40 on the sand any way unless I change to cichlids?. Im just after the best all round display tank, something that looks stunning with plant, driftwood, and fish, have I missed out on the best setup? which way do I turn. I need all the help you can give.