Stu :)

I have a Sunsun tank too and think it's a great tank. I'm using the built in filter but the bio load is very light at the moment. I also like the power extension board built into the hood, great if you can pick up a dodgy imported heater with a Chinese plug on it. Stu

Oh the joys of being a National Geographic member. I know somewhere near a river in SA they do with tetras what we do with whitebait Besides don't locals near two certain African lakes have cichlids on menu 2-3 times a week? Don't worry I haven't eaten Silver Dollar, looking at mine there can't be much meat on them. Stu

Thermoelectric Peltiers are very inefficient at cooling if you don't want to use vast amount of power. I've used them before to try and cool hot-running electrical items in RC boats and over-clocked (cooked) computers (I have one now sitting under my over stressed poor little CPU). What I would do is get a few computer fans (size, number depends on tank size/temperature/cooling need) some plastic/silicone tubing and a smallish water pump (size as-per fans...). Then zig-zag the tubing over side of the fans that blows out and make a small radiator just like on the back of you're fridge. I am going to make radiator for my micro-reef using a similar method, but plan on running the plastic/silicone tubing through copper tubing to act as a better heat transfer. But unfortunately you won't see the build log in the DIY section for a few months yet... For power usage as an example- 120mm Computer fans only use about 120-250mA and 80mm use 80-120mA. Power usage of two, three or four fans is nothing when compared to using a peltier (mine currently sucking down 5.6 Amps!). Also get ball bearing fans, sleeve bearing fans get noisy and die sooner then ball bearing bothers. For powering the fans either an old computer power supply or find spare/cheap 12v 1Amp transformer and run the fans in parallel. Stu

You can buy cork bark in NZ from model shops; more specifically model shops that specialize in model railroads/trains. A few I know are- Merv Smith Hobbies http://yellow.co.nz/companies/Hobby-Supplies/Merv-Smith-Hobbies-Ltd/101143618_967.html The Model Shop http://yellow.co.nz/companies/Hobby-Supplies/The-Model-Shop/100496859_967.html I'd try the 'The Model Shop' first as he's got the BIGGEST range of model railroad scenic items in I've seen in NZ and that's where I bought mine last time I needed some... for model purposes not fishy/reptile stuff. Stu

It's 50 liters each if it's twin tanked. Not too sure how fuel efficient the 350 is, but both tanks full of 95 would get the V12 monster from Auckland to just over that hill before you descend down the motoway into Wellington, then it was neutral and pray for no red lights :lol: Stu

A yankee engine in a British car... HERESY! ...Heresy I tell you!... :lol: Stu ...speaking as former XJ40 V12 owner

I'm keen to come and join the madness. If anyone else want's to as well I could bring another two or three people if they don't mind sharing the petrol costs. Also what's the format of the trip? Day trip, overnight stay, etc. Stu

Try Hollywood Fish Farm http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/ I think their price is cheaper then Animates when Animates don't have them on sale. Stu

Good point! Blue Rams DO need an established water in the tank. I found the Blue Rams from Pupuke Aquarium to be more harder then others. The female I got from Animates had a death wish She use to pick on Chocolate Raphael catfish and got what was coming Mature you're tank with hardy tetras and if you like and you're down this way I can give you a piece of my filter wool and a few bio-noodles to help with the water "aging" and setup if you like. Stu

Well according the good folks over at Monster Fish Keepers it's a Veija Fenestratus http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204259 Crud! It can grow upwards to 400mm / 16 inches! That'll teach me for getting an unidentified cichlid for my fish tank :roll: Stu

I soak my new driftwood in a strong mix of methylene blue to kill any nasties (me? paranoid???), then do several water changes. If your driftwood wants to float weight it down under water until it not longer wants to float. Time taken depend on how big and dry the piece is. Stu

Goldfish and carp are a quite disgusting and repulsive taste, I've tried carp before... However Silver Dollars pan fried with bit of garlic and butter are quite nice. I know in the US it's becoming very popular to use motion activated surveillance cameras with fish ponds. Be it birds, cats, aliens or the local teenagers... then again the last two might be the same http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYBvJ1jvpg Stu

Cool. Now how does one spot a male or female?

You might be right... did some googl'ing and it looks correct. Can I get a second from anyone? Stu

giggles I know what you mean; Cape Pond Ice sent me a XL T-shirt when I was doing some research on the Andrea Gail... I'm 188cm/6'2" and it fits like blooming womans night shirt! And it's pre-sunk :-? Very true, so do Vampire Tetras... ...just kidding :bounce: Stu

Any ideas what this fish is.... Many thanks, Stu

If you want to keep it darkish you could go South American, that includes tetras, blue rams and corys. Also most Asian/South American fish get by together well and with similar water conditions. Other dwarf cichlids include the apistogrammas family, I know you can get the Cockatoos fairly easy down here. Also... Not SA but cheap as chips and very easy to find is the Kribensis. Quite a nice purple-ish looking cichlid, it doesn't grow too big, similar water conditions as Asians/South Americans and quite peaceful too. I've heard that Cockatoos and Blue Rams don't get along, but I don't have any first hand experience... yet Still waiting for the Cockatoos Phil sold me to grow up a bit more. :roll: Also if you don't mind shelling out some extra $ look at Hatchet fish, one of my favorites. Maybe few corys and one or two bristlenose plecos (again don't grow too big unlike some of their rellies) too. A site to look at is this - http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/profile.html It is an American page, but most of the fish listed there are down here. Stu

My next question is- What would you like to see in there? Lots of small fish, a few small fish and few mediums, etc etc... Stu

What's the dimensions (length x height x width) of the tank? This would also play a part in what you could have and not have. Stu

I wonder what the legal implications would be if you had a little sticker on your car window/s stating that anything attached to this vehicle becomes property of the owner the vehicle? OR If you ordered the right set of skeleton keys off the 'net and unlocked the clamp yourself? As they can only charge you for the unclamping, not the actual act of clamping. Stu

I think I know what kind of clamp you're talking about, it's more of a Y shape with bar that locks between your cars wheel spokes. Nothing physical to stop you from removing the wheel nuts like on the official council clamps. If you do remove your wheel and take with the clamp with make sure you ever- a). Are a bigger bully b). Know bigger bullies (this includes lawyers 8) ) c). Big testicles d). Quick Brain e). Well versed in the anarchist cookbook Stu

...Ditto Stu

Hell yes!!! :bounce: :lol: Same happens with camera gear, the big NY stores buy enough to tell the manufacturers how much they want to pay for them! Hate to think of my Hatchets as floor sweepings... unless they jumped the tank when they overheard that they where off to the US. Stu

Can we get Peacock Gudgeons down here? I did search but the forum search function won't let me and after some googl'ing I found a MAF page saying some where pests! Stu

http://www.wises.co.nz/#c/2rg56/713ry/1/ I guess it's pretty good for swimming, but I have morbid fear of the water (yes I know I keep fish, have RC boats and work at the maritime museum) so have no personal experience. I seem to recall there being a pontoon you can swim out to, then jump off and swim back... I didn't see it last time I was there; I wasn't really looking, having too much fun chasing the people learning to kayak with a 1.5m 26cc RC boat :bounce: Stu