northland chic

I am going to have to try this I think. Was thinking of getting a new ballast but feel like the local electrcians don't want to know. Is this very hard to do and do I need to buy another reflector or whats in the hood is ok? Thanks for any help

My husband is a fisherman so it's kind of ironic that he kills fish to make money then I spend it buying live fish LOL and our number plate is fish related. When we met I had a tiny tank at my parents and it just grew from there. The other week when I got a new pleco and I dreaded telling him it was a bit expensive, he was actually fine once he seen it. Doesn't help much with water changes though. I find its more other people who don't get the fish ie friends and family

Ok, so have just tested the nitrite and ammonia again to be safe and both are 0. I didn't clean it which was stupid, tank was clean but I stupidly didn't clean the substrate. I realised as soon as I filled the tank I should have but asked seller and they said it should settle. All plants came from my own tanks and log came with the tank which was also clean when picked up and dry but still sunk straight away. I thought it was impossible something had hitched a ride since there was over a week with no fish ie no host but if there was still live snails maybe not. My daughter has gone fishing for a few days to the 3 kings so I have until about sunday to hopefully get somewhere. Am very glad I didn't move her guppies from her AR380 into it. Will try to post a pic if I can find the pack of new batteries

Bought a second hand Aqua One 620T for my daughter for Xmas. Set it up with everything that came with it, including the daltons mix stuff in the substrate. Went all good,left it set up for about 2 weeks before i added any fish. I bought 6 platys and told her they were from Santa(OMG $9ea!). All went well at first, got a couple of fish from a friend(platys & swordtails) and left them in that tank for about 4 days before they went on a road trip. Those fish went down the line on the 28th of Dec and are still all fine. Our platys on the other hand They started darting around, flashing off things,fins clamped and the skinnier one started getting like rot/fungus just before the tail, then another developed quite a big abcess/ulcer. So I lost those two and then another that had been hiding all the time was sitting on the bottom a bit wobbly on it and died. I couldn't really see anything on that one apart from the hiding and being really skittish. We now only have three. I was worried it was the daltons mix as that was the only different to all my other tanks and was told it was meant to be under a decent layer of sand and it was all mixed up so changed to stones like I'm used too. Quite happy I did as some Malayian trumpet snails hitched a ride in it and I didn't like the way everything sat on top of it. But sadly my problem still remains. I have tested my ph and ammonia and all fine. Out of the 3 fish I have one very happy one who doesn't hide and always greets me. One that hides but looks alright and one that is terrible. It always hides under the log and eats but not alot. Flashes off things, fins clamped,skittish and has some blood under the skin under her gills and around her bum and belly. I think the last two breath quite rapidly as well. So I'm thinking velvet or some kind of parasite but I have no experience with either of these and my local shop doesn't have a wide range of treatments. I have tried some Melafix which hasn't helped. Sorry for the long post but wanted everyone to know the full story. Any advice would be great because I am going insane and my daughter is pretty much put off platys. Seen the rest of the platys from that shipment in the shop and they are all fine

This is my first one like that also. I like it because its differnt too. Nice to see its not the only one I must have had over 150 fry from this trio and never got another.

I found this also. I had a pair and a pair of spotted but nothing ever happened. Whereas my longfins I got which were half the size breed all the time. I think its like Caryl said they either do or don't. I have tried a few different caves and everything, done more water changes than ever and nothing. Same with my friend they have 2 males and one female and caves but nothing ever happens. I'm not worried now I am over run with longfin babies.

I recently had young from my trio of browns (1m, 2f). To make it difficult for my boy the girls spawned at seperate times instead of together thats how I know I got albinos and browns from one and browns and light yellow/white with blue eyes from the other one. Poor boy was in the cave for weeks and so hungry at the end of the second spawn. I knocked the cave over for a week or two to let him recoup because the girls were ready again. Just stood the cave back up on thursday and have him guarding eggs from both girls this morning. My browns started out very pale with almost see through tail ends and over the week or two have darkened up. But the albinos and whitish ones have never changed at all. I find it funny how with albino young you get some that are yellow and some that are almost white. Have seen it in the adults with the females nearly always being the white ones. The white albino also seems to be growing alot slower but had the same conditions as the yellow ones.

I am definate Sims player. I did play the one on Facebook but also tired of it quickly. I only have sims 2 and open for business expansion, hubby told me to sell them all to buy sims 3. Then I missed it so much I went and got those two. Have most of the sims 3 and play quite a bit. Only missing two stuff packs I think and am also looking forward to pets. I would love to buy Barnacle Bay and the other new place off the website but don't have enough credit. Also bought the sims medival which hubby quite enjoyed. Nice to to their are other sims fans!

There is no aggression that I have seen, they all stick together at the top of the tank because the severums seem to be having eggs every week and they get quite grumpy. When I went in yesterday I think she was going to move the choc cats out to give the baby sevs a chance, she feels sad for the parents. Apparently the tropheus dub had a mate but its passed away. I always really like the demasoni's and the blotchy coloured ones. Do they require alot of water changes? I already use oyster grit in my filters, how else can I buffer the ph? I had never thought about keeping them. I have just set up a sunsun 200l so far all I know is it has to house some plants and my trio of long fin bristlenose. I do miss having some of the bigger fish all I have now is tetras The sev's were pretty cool but don't really want to devote my new tank to just them and don't need a whole army of baby sev's.

There is 3 or 4 cichlids at our petshop and I'm fairly sure they are the higher ph type. I always feel for them because I think they are meant to be keep in a species colony? I know I can't keep them my water is really low ph straight out of the tap but would like them to at least be id'ed in the hopes they can find a better environment. At present they are in a AR620 maybe with 2 big choc talking cats (15+cm) and a breeding pair of severums not quite full grown. Sorry about the poor pics. I recognised one out of smideys for sale ad but I think it is meant to have a patch of yellow not faint white I know the last one is really bad but I figure someone will know! Thanks for any help I get on this

I have had many a try at goldfish and it always ends badly. Funny enough for me the fish that do the best are my pond fish that live in their green yucky pond and the ones I look after at the local kindy. Which only this year got ungraded to a 2ft tank and pump otherwise they had a plastic tank and no filter. All I do for them is pick them up at the end of every term. As far as I know they do nothing except feed them so no water changes for about 8-10 weeks and then home to their plastic tank for two weeks. I think one of the things with these fish is I have always used fish I have bred myself so they must be extra hardy. Thank goodness for the yucky pond:) This reminds me of the times I have tried livebearers and goldfish (seperate tanks). Everytime I try I go all out and put on a great filter system and try my best and everytime it goes badly. Whereas people I know that do nothing and have a basic set up crack it! I just stick with my tropicals now!

Hi everyone, I recently bought a second hand 200l sunsun tank in Whangarei. At the time we were getting a new station wagon so was going to collect in that. Now we are still getting the car but have no idea when due to it having some mechanic issues seller is going to fix first. Trader asked me if it would be economical to get a carrier of some kind to do it for me? They are not worried about waiting its more that I don't want to wait even though I have no idea where to put it. Is there any couriers out there that take fishtanks? I was thinking about pbt or someone similiar. I can't even think of a friend I can pay gas money too for their help. Or anyone coming up this way? Thanks for any suggestions. Hubby said I have mts but I was never cured just on a break

Was missing the clear piece under the light. Didn't realise til we bought a second one and it had a cover.

I got an old AR380 for my daughter and I'm having a real problem with condensation. I just put a heater in it a couple of weeks ago so she could keep her bn for winter. It didn't come with a cover over the light but we have made one. Have been through 3 bulbs since we bought it and apparently they are getting hard to get. Does anyone have this problem with any of those enclosed style tanks or is it just me?

I could put a crypt or two in there they don't need pruning or anything. I have a sword plant of some kind (evryone did tell me once) maybe if its got really good lighting it might enjoy the height. I thought depth might be a problem too but I think I would rather the slighty bigger one than the AR620. I asked a q on their auction and they never answered which im disappointed about and their measurements don't add up to the popular tank sizes thread. So thinking they didn't have a tape measure but has made me wonder if its a T or normal one.

Hi evryone, I'm thinking about buying one of these second hand off trade me. I have been offered it for $290 with cabinet is this a good price? And is there any bad sides to them? Would be great to hear other peoples feedback. I am wanting it to have a few plants and grow up my longfin bn (4). Thanks

I'm quite sure up here unless you wait for an after hours doc if its not too bad the ambulance is the only way to go. You can't get into A&E without going through the ambulance. I have called it a few times now and always hate doing it. The just what is deemed serious enough to go, I hate the thought I'm am annoying them when its not too bad. Even here where the local ambulance is only 5 minutes drive away it still takes 15minutes or so because everyone is volunteering. Which when your father in law is having a heart attack and you are the only one home is the longest wait ever! They don't interogate you here and are quite understanding. Each time I have had to pay afterwards but didn't mind. I keep thinking I should join their membership it would be well worth it. I think I would complain as I hesitate to call them anyway and that would put me off for life!

Yip think really long and hard. Little dogs are great though! I have 3 - 2 mini foxys and one mini pinscher. My boy mini foxy is awesome, my little girl Jaz(5yrs) ties him up, dresses him up and walks him on the lawn on a lead. He tolerates everything she throws at him. My girl mini foxy knows what shes up to so tries to hide behind me but does well when she has too. I would not recommend pinschers for first time dog owners. I think no matter what you decide alot of it is in the training before our small dogs we had two pitbulls bought up with the cats and kids. Never had any problems. I'm not saying go get one just trying to point out its how you make them, I do think they get some charactistics from their parents so make sure to meet them as well. Also remember that dogs inherit genes from both sides so if you buy a dog with one non shedding parent theres no guarantees your dog will be non shedding. Don't buy a cross with an unknown parent or it'll be like a box of chocolates you never know what your guna get! Then the male or female debate. I, myself find girls have better ears and boys are more prone to wandering. But then the downside with the girls is heat time which is easy if you can contain her properly and understand boy dogs will go to any lengths to get some and girls are not much better. Whatever you decide you should get it fixed if you don't want puppies. Also ask about genetic defects and if they know of any in their lines. Luxating patella (floating kneecaps) is one to check on. Whatever breed you decide read up on them certain breeds are prone to some diseases. Have you thought about adoption or rescue? I know there is alot of animals put out with the earthquake. I hope I haven't put you off once you put in the hardwork with deciding and then the few months training it'll will be so worth it and you won't be able to imagine life without them!

Northland to Waikato. I did a big water change because I am expecting some new arrivals tomorrow and my two boys have been fighting for over an hour now. One of the new arrivals is a boy so thought I better make some room. So one is off to new home.

Hi all, I'm going to courier one of my male albino bn this afternoon and wondering if I need to use a heat pack at this time of year? Any advice would be great. Thanks NC

I had a really bad flea problem having 4 dogs and 3 cats and I thought I would never get rid of them. I don't even like using fly spray so a bomb wasn't really something I was comfy with. I have now been defleaing with Advantage for dogs and Revolution for cats for about 5months and all fleas are gone from our house and our mums. Found one month with the treatment wasn't long enough to do any damage. But after 3 months it was great, I can tell it works because our flea allergy cat hasn't a back full of scabs and you can sit on the rugs without being attacked! I buy the 6pack of Revolution its a big expense but lasts two months so saving about $10-$15 instead of two three packs.

Good looking fish and babies. I had two albino sterbais and have lost one. Think I only have the male left and he lives with my school of normal sterbais. I think I might have managed to get 2 babies but both got too about half a cm and died. One died first and so was taking great care of the only one but it got fungus so fast i literally did not see it coming. And being white babies it didn't help. Good lucka nd can't wait to see updated pics.

My best friend let her cat have kittens just like yours. I kept nagging her to get her fixed. On the second litter of kittens her partner made her dispose of them herself. I know it sounds horrible but she got that cat fixed so fast. So taught her a valuable lession. It's not nice for anyone to have to do it. It was done straight away at birth, they live on a farm so wild cats would not have been welcome and in the far north there is so many unwanted animals. I was saddened that she had to do it but happy that it made her see what a horrible thing it was to do and no one wants to have to do it because of your stupidity. I love cats and kittens and if I lived closer I would get one, husband always wants a kitten when we go to pet shops. I have 3 old cats who all got speyed as soon as able and don't feel they missed out on anything.

My husband is a fisherman, he is out working most Christmas's. We normally let the kids open their presents before he goes so he doesn't miss the smiles on their faces. I just try to think of the money! Don't get me wrong though at the time I miss him so much and find it hard to understand why he has to work when his boss is sitting at home or with his family. Maybe just make the best of the little bit of time she has or reschedule Christmas.

I too had a tiny 10litre tank with 3 fish and no filter. My mum looked after it and it after she died I took over. After moving to my dads for a few months then away I went back to get my stuff that I seen my bronze comet was huge! That started my love of big tanks. Maybe some of us wouldn't have started the hobby if it wasn't for those little tanks?