phoenix44

Awesome! Very informative.

Never heard of the 10% weekly rule. Have always said 30% at minimum - varies for size of tank, but is the norm for most people.

Those are fine for the standard lights.

It is spontaneous.

Java fern + crypts. you can upgrade the lights and buy the LEDs off ebay.

Think of a tank that is easy to maintain! Realistically you'd only want a tank that you can leave and not do WCs on for extended periods. Any high light plant is a PITA as youll need to offset the light with nutrients and CO2. A small tank with only a simple light and loads of java fern will also look quite appealing.

A third of the water being changed is fine. Given the time of year, cold water isn't exactly all that cold.

You'd change about a third of the water once a week. Everything else sounds fine. Plants grow well in those tanks so that could be an option for you too.

Any shop will.

Well you generally just order a royal and ID it when it arrives. Usually dulleyes - ($120) L191 L191 -$150 ish.

All panaques? There are many here. Or did you mean royals?

Any excess energy obtained from food is stored easiest as fat; so that's more or less what happens. In the wild most fish eat less, have larger 'enclosures' and go through phases of not eating at all. I guess it comes down to us trying to copy nature as best as we can. (Message typed at 8.07am, forgot to press submit)

Yech. Fat... This is why it's important to let them grow at their normal growth rate. Good post LA! Sucks about your fish's friend though. What seems good on the outside is not always good on the inside. Sometimes I think we kill our pets with love. I see it with domesticated animals almost everyday.

Will you keep them all?

I sent henward an email a while ago talking about growing plants in his tank. Not sure that I can elaborate on that again. If nothing has changed henward, you'll just have to be patient with your plants. You can try PMDD if you like. No point adding more light to a tank if your limiting factors are ferts and CO2.

Closest to a red fish would be some rainbows, but that will throw your theme off.

Welcome. Enjoy yourself on here. There is a local club in CHCH that you might be tempted to join.

Awesome stuff A! I'll let you know if I get more info about my shipment too.

It is an OTC drug. They don't have to sell you anything, but there is no reason for them not to sell it to you (unless it's not for sale).

oh cool!

Would not mind those tim tams actually. And... it's me btw :lol:

Not really. Fairly certain that there may be Blyxa japonica here.

Thanks Luke.

Nice setup micah. Welcome to the forums as well.

Sucks to hear Carlos. One problem after another eh? Sounds like you work with a bunch of gits. Drinking at the workspace is not on. If someone gets hurt or injured as a result of careless operation due to alcohol related claims; ACC and the department of labour would eat that farm and its owner for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hope everything works out for you in the end, but remember not to allow yourself to get cornered by these other guys on any way. One mistake and they will try making your life a living hell.