Caryl

Good luck with finding a new job and remember, don't limit yourself to IT! My son trained in tourism as he wanted to get cheap travel :lol: but he graduated not long after 9/11 so was unable to get work in that area. He ended up at a rental car agency. That did not go well and he then applied for something he knew nothing about and got the job - with an independent finance broker. They chose him over the other applicant as the other guy was experienced whereas my son they could train their way without him having any preconceived ideas of how it should be done. When that job got more difficult as the recession started to bite, he again applied for a job he knew nothing about and was taken on by the legal system (and not as a guest either 8) ) . He is now a deputy court registrar at the Children and Young Persons Court and enjoying it very much. All these jobs were very different and had steep learning curves but he found them all interesting and they have given him a wide experience base. He is now being paid enough to afford to travel overseas paying the same as everyone else

You can buy a sealant for concrete water tanks to make sure it is safe for water. Don't know what it is called though but it should stop the pH from rising as it will seal the concrete.

Well I just got home from work and came to see what had happened! Waiting with trepidation... :-?

Nothing planned here. Grant is on call so will probably be called out umpteen times (good pay on stat days though) but it will help pay for the redecorating we have been doing 8)

Slate was commonly used too

Yep, goldfish produce a lot of waste and I suspect this is the cause of the pH drop. Have all those fish been added at once to an uncycled tank? Dropping pH is going to be the least of your problems if so as I suspect you will also have high ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings Goldfish don't care what the pH is.

The fun and excitement of writing an article for the Aquarium World magazine 8) The kudos of seeing your work published And my undying gratitude

Hello Emily! :bounce:

Get one of those zappers. The kids will have great fun chasing flies with it.

I have Shark filters here and they have foam inserts. Don't see why you couldn't add noodles too.

Don't add any food to the bags. How big are the fish? The bigger the fish the more waste so less to a bag in that case. More air than water in the bags too.

Surely I shouldn't have to ask?? :-?

Compromise and spend half your time at each

Danios are really hardy and good for beginners. As are tiger barbs and golden barbs for a start. People often choose neons as they are pretty and cheap but they tend to die easily these days :roll: It would be good to know what the big thing is. If it is a common or sailfin plec it will grow too big for the tank. Here's hoping it is a fully grown Ancistrus bristlenose instead 8)

I don't care if it isn't pre Christmas. I am not doing anything or going anywhere special requiring false nails

Welcome

Then I'll donate my fingers to the cause. Let us know when you are over next. Never had acrylic nails so it will be a new experience! A 50% discount is very reasonable too 8)

Gotta have food involved (human food, not fish food) :lol:

I will contact the Tasman members and pass on your request. Is Blenheim considered "near Nelson"?

very nice

I have always found extra water changes seemed to make it worse. I would leave it and see if it settles again on its own. Someone else may have other suggestions.

Get the stuff they sell at farm outlets that they use on dams.

Did you PM her your email address Mark?

White cloudy or green cloudy? How long has the tank been set up. If it is relatively new (less than 6 months) it will be an algae bloom and will settle down as the tank matures. It is not harmful to the fish but doesn't look nice.

I would not keep turning the filter off. They need the flow. If you are turning it off because it is noisy at night, perhaps try muffling it with more filter wool or raising the water level if possible. The goldfish tail will heal. I'm not sure how many timeas an hour it is supposed to be but 5x popped into my mind for some reason :-? You can't over-filter unless the current is so strong the fish are plastered to the end wall of the tank