Jennifer

I would like to explore some of these ideas further as areas for action by the fish committee. Perhaps we could move some of this thread to a more suitable location so we can continue the discussion.

Regardless of how much you have, if your tank grows green dot, then there is a really good chance that the other forms of algae are minimal.

Agreed. My most balanced tanks have only have a small amount of green dot algae and are otherwise spotless. Often they only achieve this after some time of fiddling and battling other types of algae. I would love to be able to just be able to swing the balance and cultivate the stuff straight away.

This is a question that is asked quite frequently. I think the FNZAS fish committee might be working on something soon that will clarify the issues and at least provide answers to some of the most common questions.

The critical socialisation period for cats ends at nine weeks of age and they really need interspecies interaction during that time so it is often best to keep kittens with their feline family until they are nine weeks of age so they have the best chance of being well balanced adults. This is a position supported by veterinary behaviour specialists.

Or fugly... 8)

Oh, I see. Maybe they didn't know that, or maybe they didn't have insurance! There are some countries where it is illegal not to be insured for that reason... :-?

Then by all means, get rid of those hideous and unnecessary pots! :lol:

I must ask the insurance people again about that...I could have sworn they said I would have to pay the excess which is why they told me to get a quote for repair first in case it was less than the excess. I am sure it will be more than the excess anyway. :-?

Very clean water for a start. Could be fin rot. Any pics?

They prefer laying on the underside of driftwood that is tucked in amongst a lot of plants...at least that's what mine have told me.... :roll:

You are so right! I can't believe the nerve of some people! In the last two weeks one of my cars has been hit twice while parked and the offending drivers have left no note. The first time was in the Westfield mall carpark (and they refused to release - or even acknowledge they had, camera footage to see who did it). The second was in the New World car park and both of their cameras just missed the area where the car was parked. The no claims bonus will be lost and it will cost a $300 excess. I just can't believe somone didn't see it and leave a note or something. These were two very busy public places! There is one good thing out of this, both of the hits occurred in nearly the same place so they can be claimed as one accident otherwise there would be two accidents and two excesses due!! Lesson: park right in front of the security camera, no matter how far away it is (as long as it isn't a Westfield carpark in which case you are parking at your own risk).

Pop eye?

Sorry for your loss, it is always so annoying to have a senseless loss like that. Cat's are genetically programmed to hunt. When we keep them in captivity it is up to us to ensure that the environment is safe (for them and for anything they may prey upon). Perhaps it is a good time to get a secure lid for the tank?

Nope. Nope. Definitely not a spot-on treatment. This is a common topical remedy that is safe to use on the smallest kittens. I personally don't recommend using any flea treatments sold at the supermarket (for children or for animals). They are looking at banning many of these overseas due to serious safety concerns. Sorry, back on topic.

There is a commonly used, and very effective, one time treatment but it is a veterinary product so I won't say it here...used to have hoards of people coming into the clinic for it to use on their kids. :roll:

Yep.

I would take it back.

Dropsy is a term used for accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Mammals get a similar condition known as ascites which is often caused from organ failure but can also result from other things like injury or infection. Certain foods can contribute to organ failure in some species by putting metabolic stress on the organs. I am not saying that there is definitely a correlation between bloodworms and dropsy, but it is possible.

What sort of worms do you want to grow?

When lead metal is exposed to air it forms an oxide compound which is more soluble in water (hence my previous post). That was the problem with old houses with lead solder and lead pipe which leached into the water supply and made people sick. I just did a search for a good link. If anyone has any further questions about lead in water, this should help: http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/water/ ... -water.htm

Remind me not to come visit you again Ant....

All metals have an oxide on their surface, a very thin shell around a bulk metal body. Dissolution and corrosion occur at this interface. Depending on what ions and acid conditions the metal will dissolve via the oxide or via the bare metal if the oxide have been compromised (oxides are a passivating layer - stopping corrosion). In truth, there is such a small amount of lead corroding at a very slow rate, and regular water changes should help keep the levels low but a tank is an otherwise closed environment and the living body cannot excrete lead so any contamination just accumulates, however slowly that might be. Regardless, there is quite a it of research out there debating the detrimental effects of lead poisoning in wild aquatic species due to lead deposits from lost fishing weights, bullets, paint, etc. Remember the Siamese fighters ill from being kept in lead crystal bowls?

I am sure the effects would be more likely to show up in long living species, especially those that are kept for a number of months/years in the same environment. Of course acidic water conditions would be much more likely to leach out the lead. Would be very unfortunate to buy a seemingly healthy fish off someone who had been keeping lead in the tank...ticking time bomb.

LOL (literally)