Goldie

Sorry not me. However hubby goes to TradeMe for other things and has had mainly excellent results.

Until recently I did weekly water change to about 1/3 of the tank water. I also cleaned the filters at the same time. The cannister ones of course. The u/g are left and only the uplift tubes cleaned as they need it. Now I have a successful planted tank I am experimenting at less water changes and finding it hard not to feel guilty.........even though the fish are all healthy and happy. The tank without plants definitely needs the water change weekly. Who and how often do ya'all clean your filters??

A belated welcome. I enjoyed reading about your experiences I also have u/g filtration and planted tanks. It took me a few years to be able to grow plants without killing them...............the main reason was that my water temp was too high and the plants basically wilted away. As i love the discus and keep three the water temp needed to be high and like you, I read all about it before beginning. Now with a little experience I have lowered, slowly the water temp and have discus in a planted tank. As you love the silver dollar, I would advise you go with your love. Make up a silver dollar tank and landscape it to suit them. It could be an awesome tank. I suggest that you have a look at technical thread here and how to build rocks out of polystyrene etc. For varity maybe check out which sort of fish go well with the silver dollars. What fun I look forward to seeing a complete silver dollar enviroment.........if you decide to go that way. I have tetras in with my discus because they are together in natural state. I also have bristlenose catfish - because they are such hard workers and clean away the algae. How did the new tank cycle for you??? No problems I trust.

A warm welcome from down South How long have you had the tank set up sweston?? Are you testing the water for PH and nitrate/nitrite at the moment. So much fun watching fish sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh

welcome aboard. How are the fish doing???

welcome from another fish lover.

I echo TeeCee....................GREAT to see you all and put faces to names. Hi guys/gals

iWISH LOL you are a true fish o'holic my friend. Welcome welcome

Now why not buy a scooter rather than a car and it would give you a heap o room for one or two or three or....................fish tanks Welcome good to have you on board.

Welcome to the NZ Fish Forum CatBrat look forward to your postings.

Another important factor is the water temperature. Some plants just do not do well at a high water temp. I reduced the water temp in my discus tank to allow the plants to grow. The discus has adjusted well and at last after a couple of years I am getting a planted tank which is beginning to look good. 27 degrees C is what it is at for I would not wish to go lower for the sake of the discus which normally would have water temp of 29 - 30 C

Once upon a time .................... as a young child I saw an aquarium.....actually I had to tip toe to look into it I was that tiny. No fish in our house until six years ago and my husband bought a 2.5 rectangular tank at an auction for me. I met an infected person on the internet and the bug struck.................Now I have two 3.5 foot tanks and a 80 litre hexagon tank. At the moment the disease is regressing and I am happy with what I have....................hubby has the straight jacket ready for when the next fever hits LOL. No you never get over it once infected and if you get so sick that the multiple tank syndrome hits then just know you are a goner ROFL. wELCOME Doc. Caryl keeps reinfecting me and now so does Tee Cee lol. Not to mention all the local fish nuts

Here's hoping that it works out well. Thanks Warren that is good to know and as you say it is a very important plant for us all. It was the first one I managed to get growing in my aquarium.

mine too seem to change colour for sleeping..............maybe their pyjamas are drab and their day clothes colourful I notice this happens with other fish too.

Welcome Alisha I just visited the Picton Aquarium and they had sea horses there. From adults to wrigglers Maybe if you rang, or wrote to them they would give you a few hints for keeping healthy sea horses. All the staff we met were just wonderful in answering our many questions on all of the fish in the aquarium. Well worth a visit if you are in the Picton area.

A big welcome from me How are the bala sharks getting on with the red tail shark in the tank?? A friend of mine has a couple of bala's and although a little shy they are just awesome.

Welcome to the fish forum which covers all the islands (including Stewart LOL). How did you become interested in fish keeping in the beginning??? Seeing neon tetras was how I got interested.

We arrived home at 10 pm on Sunday after a few detours to pick up rocks for landscaping out tanks LOL. Well worth the time and effort to attend. The tanks were so varied and ideas just flew around. The people warm and wonderful and the social aspect was so low key and fun. Video for the FNZAS huh...........what is the critera?? LOL ask Caryl my video went for far too long and I now need to learn to refine and stop being swayed by my own personal preferences There is only so long people want to watch my 'babies' working their way around the tank bottom. LOL. The Marlborough Club is just such a great, friendly club to belong to and already we southern members are planning the transport for next year. I was presented by Kuhliloach some really nice breeding certificates from the FNZAS acknowledging my breeding guppies, angel and b/n and they are so nice ty guys. So much work done for so many people by so few. Goldie now hands a boquet to you all.

Welcome to the foroum for all fishie lovers. I echo Caryl and although it is so so sooooooooooooooooooo hard I suggest that you not add any more until your new tank is even more established as it's own little enviroment and all those good bacteria have a chance to set up a real colony. Do you test the water regularly?? The PH Nitrate and Nitrites?? even the ammonia levels if you have a kit. What are the readings. I just love settingup a new tank and landscaping, planting and BUYING THE FISH LOL. Welcome again

So very True Warren. I thought everyone would like to see the publishing team hard at work...................very cool gals n guys. LOL.

another one of those hidden benefits of being a club member

little and often is a secret I found for angel fry and guess it should be the same for all other fry. congratulations

Your luck could be worse..............................you would be bought by an Oscar lover as live food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the NZ Fish Forum Russell. So many crafty simple ideas. Thanks.

Clever, very clever and so simple. N1 Andyman