Caryl

Considering he posted the offer over 12 months ago I would guess not but fingers crossed for you as you never know

Hi Bilbo. It can be a mistake to go and look at dusty tanks out in the garage Welcome back. You will find it a lot quieter than it used to be.

I have red rotala, crypt (affinis I think) and Anubias nana if you're interested. Just pay postage and they're yours.

I know nothing about fountain pens from personal experience but having a look around it seems Lamy, Pilot and Parker are the brands which seem to be top picks.

I have not used these products but would like to clarify which product you mean. Do you mean Dalton's Aquatic Mix? Your subject heading refers to aquatic dirt then you ask about compost but the Aquatic Mix is clay and sand. My dad, a gardener, would say there is a big difference between compost and dirt - but I can't remember what the difference was . A quick look at Dalton products show they have an Aquatic Mix and they also have a compost (not aquatic as far as I can tell). Since the Aquatic Mix is a mixture of clay and sand I see no reason why you couldn't put sand on top of it but the two will not stay separate and, over time, will all mix together. If you have fish that like to snuffle about in the substrate it will mix up even faster!

I doubt it would cause harm but may not be as effective. I would throw it and get new just to be on the safe side.

I know exactly what you mean as my other tanks were well under-stocked but the Malawis are a whole different kettle of fish so get past it

I am no expert but the yellows look like good quality. As you know, the more caves and hiding spots the better. The aggression may drop once more fish are added. With these fish I found the more you had (up to a point) the more time they spent defending their own territory so were too busy to go out harassing others.

You had better do a thorough search first and check if that was for a single fish or a pair

I have no experience with apistos or rams but a quick search tells me apistos need at least 75L and rams need 38L minimum. Not sure of their availability (been years since I have been in a fish shop) but have you thought of going brackish with Bumblebee gobies, Brachygobius xanthozona? Not for beginner fishkeepers.

I believe most puffers eat live foods and love wee snails. Not sure if that is so with all of them. Which of those measurements is the length and which is the height? I am thinking if the tank is low and long then hatchets would look nice but if it was more taller than long the hatchets would all be at the surface and there would be nothing at the lower levels.

killifish or puffers? I think 40L too small for the paradisefish. Not sure about hatchetfish. What are the tank dimensions?

I got your PM and will post the plants up on Monday with a PM to let you know the cost. I think it will be $10.00 for overnight tracked.

It's Caryl and no, I have no PM from you. Have got one from someone else so I know it is working!

I've got crypts and Anubias nana. Pay for P&P. PM me your name and address then I'll let you know cost once posted. Should be under $10 - $15. As the weather is cooling I would prefer to send them tracked overnight which is a little more costly than normal post.

PM'd you

I am happy to post up red rotala, some crypts (affinis I think) and/or Anubias nana. Free except for cost of p&p which will be about $10 from past experience (unless parcel postage has gone up again like letter postage)

Oh wow, I am so sorry to hear that. I don't think he was very old either. Dark always wrote good posts here and was always quick to offer help and/or advice. Condolences to his wife, family and friends.

I have no experience with blackwater tanks or using peat but found your post interesting. Were both bags of peat the same brand?

Hmm the above questions from you went to my profile and I was surprised as I did not know you could do that - obviously you can't I did reply there but will do so here again since it didn't work. My snails are large pond snails and nothing like your small coils. The temp in the pond does not rise much as it is so big and has deck overhangs at both ends more more shade. The paddling pool warmed up and some snails died but they may have been the ones first in the barrel before being transferred so weren't so good when added to the paddling pool. They have all been delivered to ChCh and eaten by Donna's turtles now. If I have time I will collect more for the next trip down. 31C here again today but has been as high as 34C. We had a few cool days (22 - 25) but it has risen again. We have had 0.6mm rain since Christmas Day and now have a total fire ban and they are closing many of the walking and cycling tracks. They are saying it will rain at the weekend. Hope they're right!

An excellent book people. I have a copy and it is well written, easy to read, and most informative with excellent photos.

I wouldn't as you might find you have one happy, even more giant, kokopu and no goldfish.

Good question but I have no answer! I should think that as it has been soaking and has no secretions it might be fine. I've not heard any warnings against using it and it is not known to be poisonous.

Quite possibly. Anything that upsets the balance of the aquarium can affect the water colour and/or growth of algae.

I have had several fruit growers saying it is too hot and ruining the fruit. The plums and blackberries are developing an odd texture.