Morcs

Market size makes no difference IMHO. The world is actually a small place in regards to such things. I dont mind people making a profit, just not a huge one. I know the wholesale price of the leos that ended up in a shop, so i know the shop is looking to make a heap - the importer/breeder doesnt even come into that. Trust me i know there isnt money to be made in breeding reptiles, though beardies are a good example - prices are reasonable now, and they are easy enough to breed (and breed often enough) to still easily cover costs and still put enough in there back pocket as a pat on the back for increasing reptile keeping in NZ.

Its not going to stop the extortionists who try to rip everyone off. I dont mind paying a bit more for something new and/or rare, but at some of the prices it is extortion, and they are making a huge margin. Leopard geckos for instance, equivalent of $60 in the UK, how much were they recently, nearly $1000. get a grip. Would hate to think whatll happen to the first chameleons or iggys if they ever come in. Its just as bad for the hobby as the whole MAF thing.

So from what I gather the process is as follows when looking to get a species in: >Ask MAF it is allowed, dont get a yes or no answer. >So you bring the animal in, probably at great cost. >MAF review on a case by case basis months after you'd brought the animal in. >Regardless of wether it is in a suitable enclosure, clued up owner etc.. animal gets confiscated and destroyed.

It is a load of crap isnt it. Ive asked MAF people personally about what reptiles are allowed and they couldnt answer me. Maybe perhaps if a reptile has uncertain status, yet if they were brought in there was a HEAP of money to be made and MAF get cut in then thats when they get let in?? who knows?!. Everything is shrouded in such secrecy in grey that conspiricies arent far fetched.

Hi Dan. long time no see, small world eh! 8) As for sand, go down the concorse to aqua technics, pool filter sand $25 for a 25kg sack. really nice, good grain size for plants too. Needs rinsing 4-5 times though

and no glass in between as glass will block most if not all UV. With the double light hood id just run a single tube tbh, buying two UV tubes is pointless, as youll have to replace both of them at the 6-9 month mark, and putting another standard flouro tube in there means your just going to be using more power... As for heat emmitters, go for a 150W+ with a thermostat. thermostat is well worth the money, and the larger lamp gives you a much better temperature range that you can use with the thermostat.

Ill pop in tomorrow

I dont know how NZ can justify it when the cost of living far outweighs wages in general compared to other countries. ' It has small country syndrome. 'Oh our GST is less than other countries, so well shall follow suit and increase it.'

i would start by reducing the turnover of your water change system. Any additives you put in the water column are just going to be wasted otherwise, and with a tank that size, thats a lotta waste. not only that, plants love nitrates. discus can tolerate them in small quantities, 20ppm easily so dont be too worried. Aros are even hardier and 40ppm is no worries. reduce your surface movement as much as you are comfortable with, just slight ripples should be fine as you have a huge surface area already. keeps more natural co2 in the water that way. Only then start looking at lighting, CO2 injection perhaps, and ferts - if even required.

had a chat with one of the german guys from Juwel, said something about coloured dots on the light hood, and manufacturing dates on heaters and powerheads to check whether they were the 'faulty' ones or not but i cant for the life of me remember the specifics. At Animates we had the guys come in and ripped lights, pumps and heaters out of all the stock tanks and replaced them.

lemme know if ya keen on my 2x24w Glo T5 unit Adrienne, will cut you a good deal

Sam beat me to it! x2 for shellies!

oh. in my axelrod atlas the eunotos looked the same as a steel blue. ah well, still not as bad as the fact that a load of steel blues where on the importers lists as Borellis... :lol:

Eunotus im pretty sure.

Ill just make him some sunnies. Or even old skool 3d glasses.

If its a round bowl the L will be much much lower than what youd think. I really cant be bothered giving a lecture about how cruel bowls are etc.. as im sure youd know. Should be fine otherwise, just get them as small as you can, that makes things easier with to start.

always have crystal clear water my juwel is a bit of a challenge as the nature of the filters i have are very gentle flow - whearas i generally like to have all the crud blasted around and sucked up.

Will look into other options, just sold the jebo light. However, in the daytime, especially with the light coloured tiles, its plenty light enough. Ill look at moonlighting quite possibly. I have a 50w moonlight heat bulb that i might employ if necessary to bring up the temp, otherwise a moonlight LED strip.

I reckon. Ill give mine the run of the beardies enclosure when the beardie is out roaming

thought so. just got the light on there for aesetic purposes, its non UV.

As a 'bunch plant' you get a decent amount for just a few bucks too.

My fella got a bath today. and being grumpy when i approached him when he was enjoying the sun

Going with the 3ft. considering im outta work for the time being ill just use what i have. Cut the middle bracing off the tank, and added my Jebo clamp on lamp for lighting. Got 2 hides, moist hide thingy has been ordered. Tiles on bottom and sides - less than $6 for a pack of 6!!!! Going to get a mesh screen top too.

lilaeopsis Zealandia sword looks good. really nice and lush

damsels need a bit more room compared to say clowns, its due to their behaviour more than anything else. Buy my 50cm cube!