Jennifer

Whew. I am glad I am not the only one who thought that. But I am a bit of a perfectionist... :roll: Hiding with Zev...

Excellent. 8) I'd post that cute raccoon photo but....

Well done Simon, insects are full of detail so make good subject matter but they not always so easy to get in focus when if they are fast movers!

YAY! :bounce: I got my mag today! Imagine my surprise to see a piccy of my fish on the cover too! I know what I'll be doing tonight (water changes can wait!). 8)

Most people are not very good at sticking up for themselves so I commend you on thinking about getting a negotiator. I agree about the union. If you don't like one, perhaps try another - negotiations are exactly what they are there for. Going wages will vary depending on region but are often higher than you think, especially for people who have been in the job a long while. Unions will often have some idea of going wages. They will also be able to help deal with that issue of not seeing the raise in the pay packet! :-? These are just my experiences - but I think if you feel you have worth, and can be convincing, you will get more money, MUCH more money. Going into your own negotiation involves some gumption. This is what I usually advise: Make a list of your skills and attributes that make you a valuable employee. If you think you are worth $30/hr, then ask for $39/hr and when they balk, tell them why you are worth it - and mean it. When they continue to balk, tell them again why you are worth it (assertiveness technique #1, the broken record) and why their business will be better with you (what they have to gain). If they make a low ball offer, counter with a reason why you are essential to their business. Be pleasant, always.

It could be nutrients or CO2 - if you see no new growth or no pearling after a week or two, then you will most likely need to increase CO2 (but make sure the nutrients are high enough to handle it first or you will see nutrient deficiency showing up in the plant leaves).

I use 1ml per 40L for Comprehensive every day on a few of my tanks, NPK twice weekly and twice weekly water changes. You shouldn't need to drop the macronutrients, but I am not familiar with that product so if there are already micronutrients in that product it you might not need to add Comprehensive every day.

Don't worry, we're all guilty of that. I just had to do a major clean out of my CPD tank because I completely ignored it for a month - algae covering every inch and plants so thick I couldn't see any fish. To make things worse, I smashed one of my darios behind the filter when I reattached it.

Yeah, everyone gets pearling with water changes. :lol: Try adding Comprehensive every day for a week and see if you see any changes to pearling and growth.

That sounds terrible Barrie (and Ira). In solidarity, I'll join you in the bourbon. Chin chin. Here's to better times.

I was thinking the same thing Adrienne. I would personally not change the CO2 too quickly and I wouldn't add Excel, at least in any quantity. Normal doses of the nutrients won't hurt though, especially if the plants are using them up as fast as they are added and there are regular water changes.

Ooo, I feel for ya. In addition to the micronutrients in Comprehensive, try adding Flourish Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium for the macronutrients (or some other similar source of NPK). Babies are looking good!

Do the plants ever pearl at all? If you occasionally see pearling but then it stops, I would be inclined to think something is limiting, possibly CO2 but more likely nutrients.

You can use a hose to suck up detritus without vacuuming the gravel or disrupting the landscaping. Also, you can do larger water changes which can stir things up and can help compensate for excess poo sitting around.

Congratulations! What great news. Must have been a great day for births - two of my other friends had babies as well!

Maybe someone needs to go back to using their own portrait as their avatar... I use mature java moss that they feed off and I supplement with microworms and baby brine shrimp from day 8 after hatching (they don't need much of anything before then as they are still absorbing the yolk sac).

Don't take my word for it. Look up the Estimative Index. There is a lot of evidence to support putting in excess nutrients so they don't limit growth. I shall be very interested to see what results you get from adding more ferts.* *PS. Obviously there is a safety limit to adding any thing. Dose within guidelines = no dead fish.

I just reduce the lighting :oops: also saves me time in pruning as well. :-?

LOL Good one Ira. :lol: This is my new hobby when I am bored at work: http://www.thedonutproject.com/inspirat ... -drawings/ Of course it is lean times in winter months here but I am looking forward to some new fun come summer. 8)

Add more nitrates, your plants are using up what you have and it is limiting growth and making the tank susceptible to algae. Keep those nutrients high so they don't run out and do the water change to reset everything.

How can you have zero nitrates and zero phosphates then??

Its a lovely plant and grows like a weed even without enriched soil. It has very delicate and crispy leaves though. Let us know how you get on.

I have twisted val in a tank that gets NO light except indirect light from the window. It is one of the last plants to go pale when I don't inject fertilisers but it never goes pale from lack of light - unlike cabomba. :roll: I would try adding some ferts. It will grow faster with some CO2 and even liquid carbon (Excel) but only add small doses of Excel since the val can melt very easily.

That's 'cuz your plants will be starving and unable to use the available nutrients so the algae takes over. Feed them some nitrates and they will take off and starve the staghorn. Zero phosphates will starve the plants too, but they should be getting some from the fish you are feeding.