Ira

There are quite a few things that can survive being sub freezing temps. I don't think once you're past where everything actually freezes that the rest of the way to absolute zero matters much. But, I don't think most of those that can survive freezing actually completely freeze, I mean most of their non-solid bits probably aren't below the point where they become solid bits on a microscopic level. But bacteria can probably survive, viruses almost definitely.

I think for a reef tank you're best off going with a minimum of around 500-750 watts total of lighting for that size. Or at least see if that MH fixture you're looking at can be bought with a 250 watt MH or two 150s. What you're planning could be ok for low light stuff, but won't be enough for high light corals by a long shot. Pies or someone could probably give you more specifics.

Probably a bit late now, if you're in an internet cafe. If you're talking about the yellowish spotted kind usually sold just as "Freshwater puffer" they grow to about an inch, I believe. They're also pretty nippy and aggressive to other fish. In my opinion, you want a nice puffer go with a Brazilian or a Figure eight, they're a lot more expensive but they're bigger and not nearly as unsociable. Have a look at http://puffernet.tripod.com/main.html

Put the new fish and plants in right away, say after 3-4 hours once everything's up to temp and the water is cleared anyway. The tank won't start cycling without fish.

I think they do just fine without hibernating, though. The few things I read about making them hibernate gave me the impression it was a huge hassle and more of a novelty. You've got to slowly decrease the lighting time on them, along with the temperature over a month or two. I guess you could do it if you REALLY want to have frogs in your fridge.

Hehe, Biosuppliers sells american cockroaches for about $2 each if you really want a pet.

Those would have been pacus. Red belly pacus looks similar to pirahnas and are related if you really want something similar. Good luck with the zoo license, I've heard it costs in the tens of thousands to get one.

They're illegal to import, I believe. Closest you can get is something like a red belly pacu.

I consider $1000 to be expensive. Looks like over $1500+ for about a 250watt chiller from a pricelist I've got, but I suppose could be cheaper from other sources. So...Yeah, if you've got a big reef tank that needs it and can't cool it any other way it's cheaper than losing everything in the tank. But still pricy.

Yeah, there are chillers for tanks. Expensive though and mostly used by rich people with reef tanks and heaps of lighting.

Yeah, I've found most of my heaters are like that. The guage on the side is only vaguely accurate, but once you get it set right it's fine.

I've found 300W to be barely enough for a 200L.

They'd really gone downhill near the end. It being practically impossible to find a parking spot within a 15 minute walk probably didn't help them much either.

Concert floors? Do they make music? hehe, Just kidding.

I think it must be the weather! The day before yesterday my bronze cories laid eggs, yesterday my jewels(Both females I think) laid eggs, and today my gold severums(Both males, I think) are busy cleaning off some rocks and digging a pit next them and shivering at each other. Of course, I accept alternate lifestyles, but why do all my fish have to be gay?!?

Hmmm, Only other things I can think of are either try a different flake for a few weeks, something like tetramin, or try feeding them less.

Hmmm, I'm not familiar with that food. Is it a pellet type or a flake? If it's a floating pellet try soaking it in tank water for 20 minutes or so before feeding them. It might be that the pellets are bouyant enough it's making the fish float and hopefully soaking for a bit will waterlog them enough so they won't make the fish float. If that IS the case the easiest thing to do is change to a different food. You could also try switching to flakes for a little while and see if that stops the problem.

What are you feeding them?

Oh no...I've got a new batch of eggs...And It looked like the new fish I tried is ALSO a female. At least it looked like it was laying eggs, but could have(HOPEFULLY!) just been fertilizing them. Statistically got about a 1/16 chance of getting all females and just my luck...I'll give it a few days to be sure.

I'd just like to mention that fruit flies(To feed the frogs) even though they're wingless are a massive pain in the butt! I just seperated mine into 7 new cultures and fed my frogs with some. They just go all over the place! And they hop! That's something I hadn't considered.

Probably not Cabomba.

Colors are extremely variable depending on the ummm...Beholder.

Nah, I doubt it being pale was due to lack of oxygen. I think they might change color a bit with their mood or surroundings, not sure. But I had 3 that were dark when they first climbed out of the water(Well, when I first saw them out) and one that was pale. But anyway, I think their lungs are fairly well developed long before they come out of the water.

Most of them get fairly warm, it's normal. If it's getting hot enough to burn you, that's a problem, but other than making sure it's got a bit of air space around it to cool it there's nothing to worry about.

Why don't you want the pump on the whole time? I assume it's an airpump driving UGF? It's not going to hurt the pump being on the whole time, it should be on all the time anyway.