Jennifer

Careful, lest we offend someone.... 8) :lol:

I couldn't agree more Sophia. I personally only feed as much as will be eaten before it falls to the ground. As soon as the fish begin to slow their eating, I stop (most bottom feeders are happy to come up for the fresh food and ones that aren't get sinking foods and veges). No excess food is left to rot (and presumably to release phosphates).

I didn't watch the video...but theoretically it is possible. Phosphates are inorganic salts and if the food is thawed AND rinsed, some phosphates may be removed (if they were abundant to begin with).

+1 :roll: :lol:

Wow, that looks outstanding! Beautiful colours.

:lol:

I saw a large shoal of pygmy cory at Organism this week, they looked superb - kinda pricey though, especially if you had to get at least 6! :roll:

This is what I use: 1. Pick two pottles, like a wide mouth jam jar with ventilation holes. 2. Take a small amount of porridge and cook it with water - it should be very thick, not runny at all. Let it cool completely. 3. Then place about a centimetre or two of the porridge in the bottom of each pottle. 4. Then, sprinkle yeast (activated baker's yeast or brewers yeast) over the top of the porridge - it should be a thin layer of yeast but it should cover the surface of the porridge. 5. Then dump the worms on top (it is best just to harvest off as many worms as you can without adding any old culture medium if you can. Keep two cultures going in case one dies. Place it in a warm but not hot area (like in the cupboard of your aquarium). Once the worms start climbing up the sides, you can harvest them. I use a wooden skewer from the kitchen section of the store, easy and disposable. Just run it along the sides to scrape off the worms (avoiding the substrate). Harvest the worms off the sides every day so that the population doesn't top out. It should last about 2 - 3 weeks. Renew one culture at a time so that you don't loose both. Good luck.

Wow, you must have a double-feature planned tonight Ira! :lol:

If you have a bigger tank, perhaps some horseface loaches? They look pretty cool.

ROFL, yes indeed it would! :lol: Sounds great too. I have a heap of 'virgin' cocktail recipes for those not so inclined and I am sure the boys could do their usual beer thing.

Awesome! You are well on your way. 8) If it were my tank, I would swap out the substrate (gravel) for something darker - this will make the fish colour up a lot more. I would also get a larger, more dynamic piece of wood, or an additional large piece of wood. It is amazing how much that can create interest in a tank and the fish will like the shelter it provides. I would then attempt to get a bunch of basic live plants - the more the better. Cabomba is easy, as is java fern (which attaches to the wood). To start with, fertilise every day with Flourish Comprehensive (about 1ml per 40L of water - this will keep the plants growing fast and thus help to prevent algae). If you get more of the same type of danios they will look great and create a lot of interest with their flashy movement. One or two larger fish also make the tank interesting - perhaps a couple of large rainbows (they are peaceful) or dwarf cichlids (can be a bit more challenging). Just those changes alone will make such a difference, you will be amazed. Keep us updated about what you choose - it will be great to see how your tank develops.

Cocktail of the night: Havana Club lime daquiri If you've never liked daquiris before, you have not tried the authentic way: 45mls Havana Club white rum 25mls fresh squeezed lime juice 20 to 25mls sugar syrup Shake very well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Pure heaven. Cocktail party anyone?? :bounce:

Some water sources have high nitrates. Plants will help 'soak' it up. Shouldn't be too harmful to the fish at low levels though.

Awwwwww, lot at its wee feet.

ROFL 8)

*gag* who'd want THAT job? We did surgery on a ferret once to remove its scent glands - imagine two glands on either side of an anus that is hardly bigger than a rat's...then imagine how close you have to get in order to see such tiny glands....then imagine a hideous musky, faecally, sickly sweet smell that you can't get out of your nose for a week (especially if you happen to pop the gland when you are removing it). Not pretty, not pretty at all.

Any opportunity to bake! I might end up drooling over the tanks rather than joining you for the cake though... :roll:

Don't s'pose it is mild enough to warrant trying antihistamines (for you)?

Drool...they are on my immaginary Valentine's Day wish list.... :roll:

Goodness me Ira, why do you keep a skunk in your roof space, and how did you get it through quarantine in the first place? Dreadful smell, haven't had the displeasure of smelling one of those for about a decade now...

Plus, the cory would be happier in a bigger group. :roll:

So jealous, wish I had 6 hours or so to spare to drive up and join you! I could bring cake too!

Awesome setup too. 8)