Caryl

I agree Ira! :lol: I have used some like that in my tanks with no problems at all. Avoid limestone as it will rasie the pH. Most rocks found here are inert and fine to use. Slate, greywake and schist are all good and the most common (I think). We used to have a member who also belonged to the local Rock and Mineral Club and she was handy to ask about the different sorts and where to find them but, sadly, she died a few years ago.

Congratulations Eben. Now for the hard part - actually raising the fry and keeping them alive Good luck!

I agree. No need to soak. Just give them a quick scrub if they have something stuck to them.

We hear all plus we have eyes in the back of our heads - we see and hear all!

I think it is great kiwis have two good sites to go to (possibly 3 assuming the marine one is still going) for fish keeping help and discussion. The only reasons I have not joined the others are because I already Mod on 2 fish forums and do not have the time to go to others and I don't keep marines so have no interest in a marine only site. Hobby groups, particularly involving animals, seem to bring out the worst in people :-? I must admit I, personally, have never thought of the FNZAS site as "the official site for fishkeeping in NZ". That never occurred to me. We are the official site for the FNZAS though! 8) Discussion on different perspectives and disagreement is fine, if it is kept reasonable and respectful. At this point I would like to say I disagree with those who think programmes like Home and Away and Shortland St are worth watching!!! :lol: PS Good boy KP! :lol:

Near Turangi

The guy who usually plans these has a lot on his plate at the moment so someone else will have to step forward and volunteer!

Have to make a husband feel useful though

I am Carylnz overseas

They are for anyone who wants to go. The land was for sale last time we were there. Don't know if it has been sold yet and we may not be able to go there any more. There was talk of draining the swamp at one point but I don't know how serious that was.

I've been thinking of you as Smi-dee :lol:

What is meaningless to some is exciting and a challenge to others. Just because it does not interest you does not mean it does not interest others. (I think about those who endlessly discuss plots etc of soaps and other TV shows. I didn't realise people took these things seriously!) :roll:

How dark? I get my gravel in ChCh (usually at Redwoods) and get the dark brown stuff. I am told it is a local stone too. Not sure it is what you would call "fine" though.

Hydrocortisone injections are commonly used. Sometimes they work well and sometimes they don't work at all. Grant has had them in other places but not the spine. The first set (he had both shoulders injected) worked well for about 6 months but the next set did nothing at all. :-? It is different for everyone but try not to get wound up over the thought of it! (easier said than done)

Or spray down the air vents! :evil: We have a cat from next door that is a major nuisance. We found it inside trying to get Bud the other day. Luckily his cage hangs from a bungee from the ceiling so the cat couldn't get him (the same one that hangs around the window each evening when we let Bud out). We can't leave the garage door open as it gets in and leaves cat paw marks and fluff over everything - including the black cloth top on the car :evil: Neighbouring cats use our yard to poo all over the place. If I ever see one eyeing up the goldfish I will catch it and do something bad to it!!! :evil:

I just used my own name as I would never remember any username I came up with. I have enough trouble remembering passwords! :-?

If you ask the editor nicely she might send a copy of that article

They catch the light beautifully don't they?

I suggest you get payment upfront si_sphinx (That is in no way a reflection on Mystic specifically, just that recently we have had a lot of enthusiam and "Yes please" for things but when it came to the crunch, many backed away :roll: ). Seems many people don't want to put their money where their mouth is

The skin burning probably refers to them being handled in dry hands out of the water.

Here is a genuine rubbish photo - or, to be more precise, a photo of rubbish. Have no idea what is under the fluff :lol:

Same camera and macro mode, closeup of dragonfly face covered in sand.

I see your three spiders and raise you mine (body was only about 1cm long and it is on the edge of the windscreen) Taken without a special lens, in macro mode, on my Sony DSCF828

Just leave them. All will probably get eaten.

A school of tetras