Ira

Yes, I know they're not actually leaks, just commenting it looks like it. Just looked close now and realized they're the ends of cable ties.

Looks like you've got 3-4 leaks in the bottom picture coming from the scwd and hoses in the back. Probably just the picture though. That the scwd you offered to sell me for something like $250 ages ago?

Shipping won't be easier as I they'll probably be confiscated and destroyed by customs.

You need to get a digital camera...It warns you if there's no card in it.

I had a mondo grass in my tank for probably 6-8 months. It didn't grow noticably and was starting to die. So, I threw it in my pond, it's doing great now.

All the females seem really fat, but without seeing a properly conditioned female and how she looks full of eggs...Well, they're about 2-3 times the width of the males, so I'll give them a try for a while, if nothing seems to be happening in a week or two I'll remove the male and try to condition the female for a while.

Ok, I've got the biggest male and biggest female pearl gouramis in the tank, I've also caught some daphnia and threw it in the tank along with a clump of riccia to float on the top. Also put the two biggest female bristlenoses and the male in there. They're probably too small to breed, but I've seen some really tiny ones that have breed. Worst case they'll clean up the tank. I disconnected the 404, I thought it still needed at least some filtration so I've got a pair of fluval 2s blowing into some rocks to keep the surface agitation down. The tank is in the sleepout, and since the weather is cooling off I think I'll have to throw a blanket over the tank if I get any fry to keep the air inside warm. Along with using some glad wrap or something to seal the top a bit. I'm going to start feeding them with frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and whiteworms. Anything else I'm missing? Or do I just need to sit back and be patient?

I doubt they'd show any intention of spawning with 2 females, 3 males, a dozen bristlenoses and a pleco are all crammed into a small tank. That's why I want to put them in a tank on their own.

They're actually big balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Personally, I think I prefer something like ceramic noodles, because I think they have more surface area for their volume and seem to be cheaper, IMO.

Hmmm, I've also read that once the fry or eggs hit the bottom of the tank the male tends to ignore them, which is why lowering the water level didn't make sense. I'm not sure I believe that one though, since that goes against everything else. I realize the tank size isn't ideal, but it's the best I have available, it's one I'm storing for a relative, the other two of his are bigger. I was thinking of the bristlenoses because, even though they're small, I thought maybe they'd breed, but at least they'd keep the tank a bit cleaner. Not a big deal though if you guys think I shouldn't risk them? I'll also need to do a bit of replumbing with the 404 on that tank because it will disturb the surface way too much with the water level lowered. Oh, and I'll need to figure out how to tightly cover the top. It doesn't have a very good glass top. Glad wrap...That's not a bad idea, I might give that a try.

I wonder if MAF would have a problem with you trying to start a colony? If I remember right they're actually an introduced species and they'd rather wipe out an introduced species to extinction than let it spread.

Hmmm, I'd forgotten I'll have to lower the water level. I don't really understand why that's necessary though.

I'm about to have a try at breeding my Pearl Gouramis. I was thinking I'd also throw a male and 1-2 bristlenoses in that tank with them. The gouramis are bubble nest breeders so there shouldn't be any conflict, right? I'll have them in a 3' 150 or so liter tank that I'll need to make a bit more interesting for them, but anyway... Anyone have any tips? Would it be best to put two females with one male, or just one male and one female in there? I've also read a suggestion that a small piece of foam floating on the water can help encourage the male to build a nest?

I didn't ask if I could keep it in my tank.

Because if I can't keep the tank cool enough for the cooler water creatures without a chiller I might as well have a heater in there and keep it as a tropical tank.

I've got a bunch of 25 liter jerry cans that I use. I just scoop the water up and dump it in using a plastic bucket. I didn't actually grab that red anemone. It was stuck to the side of the rock pool and I didn't want to damage it trying to pry it off and thought it would probably die anyway. Do they handle tropical temps alright?

I can see it now. Those golden barbs are beautiful, I've never seen them before.

I think you better remove all the liverock from your tank and search for him. You can store some at my place temporarily, free of charge...

Wierd, how big was the oscar? I wouldn't have expected them to be that aggressive. When my two gay severums were trying to breed they weren't nearly that aggressive. But, being males they didn't have any eggs, they were just guarding a hole they'd dug.

Ballistic, you're with paradise aren't you? They give you 10 megs or so of webspace with your account, I think. All you need is an FTP program to upload them.

That's not a snail. That's a bit of rock. I think that was in an episode of the old star trek...

Wow, red-X tetras!

Landscaping places are good too. Usually good selection and I think they're something like a buck a kilo.

There are bumble bee gobies. Don't seem too hard to get, they're about...Ummm...$10 each< I think.

Some salt would probably help a bit, but I think it should already be in brackish water anyway? So that might be redundant. Something like Melafix would be a good idea too.