StarFish

Hey, How is the automatic can going? I just got a mortein one and wanna give it a go, my partner is concerned but I think it will be sweet and from the replys posted here it sounds like its worth a shot, I think as long as it is the other side of the room of the tank and the tank is well covered it wont be a prob, I spray the flys all the time and it never affects my fish. However I think its important to remember that it also depends on how often you change your fishtank water too anyhow please post reports!! Id like to know what others have done and had any problems, thanks :bounce:

doh - to hard!

Just google it and im sure you will find something

Hey now I'm sure this has been discussed before but are you aware that in a group of clown loaches the 'alpha' of the pack actually secretes a hormone which can stunt the other clowns growth? I read that a while back and find it totally fascinating. Apparently other fish do it too, like discus... Weird huh... Star^<><

We have had our 2 large clowns for 2 years now, theyve been through alot to be honest, like 3 tank moves and once for like 3daysthe heater in the tank was pulled out accidentally and it was the middle of winter! but all the fish survived, they got a bit sluggish but none of them got sick. I noticed people talking about clowns being shy too and ours are far from shy, they come right out when its feeding time no problems, and I only have 2 of them. One of them is a right big fatty fish, hes the alpha clown I have no idea why your clowns keep dying, maybe its some kind of residue coming from something you have overlooked... Or nitrates that have built up in your stones... thats a bummer, you should look at all internal AND external possibilitys. I hope you find what the problem is soon! Clowns are just awesome fish. Star^ <><

LOL... interesting... :lol: ANYHOO I think it is SOLD now as the seller has withdrawn this from trademe.... I hope someone on here bought it! :D Star^<><

thanks guys for the comments, Im well aware of the risks and I will change my approach next time, or when I can be bothered to re-do the stand lol, however its done now and I am satisfied for now.... 4 more tanks to go! :lol: Will let you know if it dies on me lol. :oops: Star^<><

Its still touch and go we will see how it goes. The only thing I would change now is maybe make it a little more permanant by attaching the wood to the blocks etc, however the weight is enough for it to be pinned down to the blocks. And add a middle support so my mind is completely at ease, however Ive seen much bigger tanks with no middle support so Im sure ours will be fine. And yes I will def use poly next time! however Im still pretty confident about it. Yeh the blanket isnt doing it for me and I will change it at some point with something a little nicer. Star^<><

I agree I think itll be fine, the way the wood is kind of takes the pressure as well, the blanket wont do that much but I think itll be ok, we may change this around as its just trial and error at the mo. I wouldnt have done it if I didnt think it would be ok. but then I am quite impatient and so is my boyfriend lol. Star^<><

Ah well here it is! the budget stand - thanks everyone for your tips and advice, here is the finished product. Firstly it was really easy to do, was really cheap (only $2.41 per concrete block) and we recycled some slats from an old slat bed of ours. We only used 4 blocks, didnt feel it needed a middle support as its only a 216litre tank, and could take 2 heavy peoples weight while bouncing in the middle lol. The slats are 2.5cm in thickness, we double layered them so its 5cm thickness, plus a thin flat layer of wood on top to create an even surface. We didnt used polystyrene, we used a blanket, Im confident about it, but will update you if the tank dies on us fingers x'd lol. I think as far as cracking goes my tip on DIY tank stands so far is make sure the tank isnt hanging over any edges so that it is on a flat even surface. (DUH I know that sounds lame, but Ive seen people do it!!! have a tank that hangs over its base edges and end up cracking underneath :-? ) ANYHOO ENOUGH TALK HERE IS THE END RESULT

The Budget Stand And the answer is 2.5cm each plank thickness, but they are double layered so its 5cms, plus another thin layer to make the surface even, and then the squishy blanket Ok? And dont dis my dog! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Kiwipete! 1. Yes you can! I will take a pic soon. 2. I will measure these and get back to you. 3. She has to wear a top because she is a chinese crested X affenpinscher HAIRLESS and she would get cold!!!!!!!!!!!!! But she LOVES going outside!!!!!!! ???? So pffft *pokes tongue out* Star^<><

:roll: blanket, its sitting on the nice soft squishy blanket...... I think it'll be fine will let you know if we flood ourselves and kill everything

As per my DIY post about cheap tank stands, we bought some hollow blocks from placemakers today ($2.41 each) and have spent the whole day setting up the new tank with our budget base. So far so good. I took photos and yet forgot to take a photo of the base.DOH, its covered with a blanket now. Its basically 4 hollow blocks and 6planks of solid wood we recycled from an old slat bed. plus a thin layer of wood to make it more even. Its just a 215litre tank, about the same as the cube tank that the fish came from however this is longer and more spread out for the little buggers to swim around and do whatever fishys do. THE BF DOING WHAT GOOD BF's DO THE TO AND FROM TANKS IN QUESTION My experimental java moss jar, Male Zebra loves it lol. BABY ZEBRA, male? 4 Sale FRONT VIEW taken at 9pm 5/10/08

Ox is a bull isnt it? and beef is just a normal old milking cow? haha or they could be completely the same thing but called different things... I duno!

Thanks Amazonian I really appreciate your input. Im not sure if we will even go for a 'fish room' yet because I wanted to see how easy it would be. I think I will wait until the day we own our own home and will ensure that we buy a house that has a 'special' room for our fishys. in the meantime we are busy filling up our third large tank and counting! I dont think I could deal with the whole huge sump/filter setup so would prefer the hang over filters you are talking about anyway, we have one on our cichlid tank as well as an internal fluval. Thanks heaps everyone for all your input I have learnt alot from this post and my other one about tank stands, as we have now made our very own cheap as chips stand YAY for $2.41 per concrete block and a bit of recycled slat wood, we have produced a very effective cheap stand! Star^<><

Well just an update, we bought 6 hollow concrete blocks today (have only used 4 though) and recycled some slats from an old bed and some flat wood board and measured it all up appropriately and now are currently filling the tank up. so yay! It doesnt look fantastic but it was hella cheap at $2.41 per block! and recycling is even better! It is a 216litre tank Will up the pics when we have finished. Have decided to move the cichlids in when its ready and turn the old cichlid tank into a gourami/tetra tank... we shall see though, might sell it yet. Star^<><

LOL indeed! Its a pretty impressive setup. If I could I would be more inclined to grow fish of the eating variety :lol: :lol:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pe ... 531794.htm I wish I could afford this!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ahh I c I didnt read the other part where you talked about the plants. Very cool Star^ <><

Hey Im just talking old as brain wise, he was like decrepid brain function.... You are only as old as you feel! I love old as dudes haha, just not old as brain functioning dudes. Sorry no offense meant! Star^ <><

Stupid mitre10 mega. I thought that sounded dodgey as. LOL. was some old as dude.

LOL I thought I felt a bit confused hahaha :lol: :lol: Edit! thanks for pointing that out, Amazonian my comment still stands. AWESOME!

Amazonian that is so awesome! Im Jealous MUCH! very nice. Where did you get your shelving system from? I rung mitre 10 to see if they did the big metal screw together shelves and they said they dont... :-? I have issues trusting bracket shelving like that though.... lol :lol: Star^ <><

Wow that is so cool! How come you decided to make the dividers so low? Very cool though Star^ <><