Quark_VI

Found this post while also looking for more info on the hara hara. The Scotcat page seems to have the most info from what I have been able to track down. Wet Pets currently has a few of them, I will be picking mine up next weekend.

I have just completed the filter and started running water through it. Landed up just using the plungers from the syringes as too much trouble getting the decals off of the outer and they would need to be chopped up unless you have a very large volume. Washed them by making baskets from gutter guard and putting them through the dishwasher a couple of times.

Hi, Think Lurch is referring to the "sponge" used in filters as opposed to filter wool. What you are looking for is called reticulated foam (as opposed to closed cell) where the cells are joined i.e. you can breath through it. I know Para rubber in Pnth doesn't sell it or even know what it is. Is commonly used in air ventilation systems but they tend to have too high a ppi (pores per inch) compared to what is typically used in aquarium filters. Might be worthwhile starting your search with one of the industrial ventilation companies. When I was back in South Africa I managed to get hold of some in bulk (2.4m*0.3m*1.2m) and the factory cut it for me (they have the kit to make perfect cylindrical and rectangular blocks) and I managed to make a bit of pocket money selling what I didn't use to pet shops as generic filter sponges. Note that prices are usually quoted per cubic metre. good luck with the search.

Hi, My birthday is coming up and I need to choose between getting the following two books: TITLE: Dr. Axelrod's Atlas of freshwater aquarium fishes by Herbert R. Axelrod, Warren E. Burgess, Neal Pronek ISBN: 08662-2515-3 and TITLE: Baensch Aquarium Atlas Photo Index 1-5 (New Second Edition) by Hans A. Baensch, Gero W. Fischer, ISBN: 38824-4083-X I am quite familiar with Axelrod but have been unable to look at a copy of Baensch or get sample pages online. Have read a few reviews recommending Baensch over Axelrod. Would appreciate opinions or comments from any of you who may have or have seen a copy of Baensch. cheers

Thanks Caryl, After DiverJohn's post my brain kicked in :oops: and I realised that it is basically fibreboard with a waterproof side so submersing it would not be too bright.

If you know any dairy farmers in the area you could get the grey drum as a freebie - not sure what they usually contain but most dairy farms seem to have a few. Otherwise ask for one of the old blue 200l barrels that contain acid wash, teat spray etc. Get an acid wash one if possible as it is very easy to clean, the teat spray and alkali ones need a lot more rinsing as their contents are not as water soluble. Also these don't have the screw lid's just two screw in bungs on top. I have seen the container's suggested by BlueandKim used to hold old cooking oil which are also sometimes on farms as the oil is mixed with some stock feeds. I have used the blue drums in the past and just dropped a small/cheap powerhead through the bung or used a good old syphon. Didn't bother with continuous aeration or a heater.

Hi, Anybody know whether seratone (those waterproof panels used in showers and bathrooms) can or can't be safely used in aquariums ? thanks

Hi Lynda, May I ask where you got your Sera CO2 system ? Thanks.

Hi, Anybody know of a source of black/dark sand that is suitable for aquarium use. Have considered using some west coast sand (wanganui area) but won't be taking off of the beach as the shells etc. will harden the water. Was considering taking some sand from further inland but that will probably have the same effect. From what I have managed to google the black is due to titanomagnetite, a type of iron ore, no idea if this will be a problem. Also seems that iron slag based "sand" is available in the states which I wouldn't want to use due to the high iron content. I usually just use silica sand suitable for pool filters but would really like to try something darker to show up the fish better. Reason for sand as opposed to gravel is that I keep catfish and don't want to damage their barbels. Will do the usual boiling washing routine with any sand. Appreciate any advice/opinion.

Hi, Just thought I would share another idea for something to use as bio media in a trickle filter. If you have any dairy farming friends ask them to keep the dry cow treatment syringes for you. These syringes are completely plastic. Dimensions are typically 8cm long and 2cm diameter but depends on the product used. This is the time of year to get hold of these as cows are starting to be dried off and you use 4 syringes per cow (1 per teat). I would suggest just using the plunger and end caps, if you can get enough, as else you have to clean the label off of the tube and probably chop it up to get a decent surface to volume ratio. IMPORTANT: Note that the syringes contain antibiotics and will probably be covered in some muck when you get them so make sure you clean and sterilize them well. Will try and borrow a digital camera to post some pictures.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Have now decided to go with the overflow in the tank so that I don't have to worry about the syphon breaking and means less space taken up behind the tank which means I can make the tank bigger (my wife has set the limits for the tanks size so that our couches can still fit in the living room :-)). Thanks suphew you confirmed my suspicions about setting up the overflow to get the right rate etc. without any fish joining the flow. Currently scheming as to how to do an adjustable grate so that I can get the dimensions correct before building something more permanent. Was reading another of suphew's post re placement of bulkheads etc. Seeing as this is a freshwater tank I only need one hole for water going out and the return will be up and over. I have notice that most marine tanks seem to have the overflow/s in the corner/s - is there a reason for this as opposed to putting it in the middle of the back of the tank where it is easier to hide with wood etc. and then also not visible from the side of the tank ?

Hi suphew, Did you buy your tank with the overflow/bulkhead etc. or did you put your own in ? Like the idea of the corner overflow as opposed to the hang over the back version but still need to check how much more the shop will charge me to get the tank drilled etc. Also the hangover the back has the advantage of being able to be fitted to a second hand tank easily. As a matter of interest, any idea how much a new 4ft tank costs in Wellington ? Cheers

Hi, I am planning a wet/dry trickle filter for my new freshwater tank, mainly because I can get all the bits free except for the powerhead to return the water. What concerns me is the reliability of the various DIY overflows on the web. Am I worrying needlessly ? Should I look at buying an overflow and making the rest ? Having to make five versions and dealing with all the water in the living room etc. is not my idea of fun that is for after I have won the lotto and have a waterproof fish room. Plan I am thinking of following is here http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html thanks for the input

Hi Derek, Know you posted this a while ago but found the following article on breeding Rineloricaria and thought you may be interested : http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... caria_sp(1).htm Just arrived in NZ and was wondering if you knew of any reliable fish shops to get a good selection of catfish as I am crazy about them. You probably know about planet catfish but if not look around the site as it is the most complete reference on catfish I have found on the web cheers Robin

Hi, I have just arrived in NZ from South Africa where I had to leave my fish and equipment to a very grateful friend. I would dearly like to start keeping fish and breeding them again in NZ but I am unfortunately very short on information wrt where to get everything and where to get the best prices. To make matters worse my taste in fish was rather exotic for South Africa. I am looking for the best places to purchase the following : 1] Rams, kribs and other dwarf cichlids, preferably of breeding quality. 2] Mad about catfish e.g. ancistrus, synodontis, talking cats, farlowella's, platydoras, corydoras, pimelodus. I avoid the bigger ones and the rarer the better 3] loaches 4] breeding quality discus esp Alenquer Red 5] Will need new equipment, personally like 4 foot tanks for most and then assortment of breeding tanks. 6] Which is the most economical external filter on the kiwi market ? (don't wish to start a flame war. Eheims were not economical when compared to fluvals in ZA. And made homemade filters for breeding tanks anyway) By the way I stay in Marton, 30 mins from Palmerston Nth. Would appreciate any tips. thanks Robin