Caryl

Fish lie! They always claim they are starving. Ignore them. Less food will not harm them. Better for them to be a little more hungry than usual than to feed the same but not do the usual water changes. Make sure you divide food into containers so mum does not overfeed either (she will not believe they are lying) Any locals able to do a water change or 2 for you? Cut back now to what they will get while you are away. This will reassure you they are not coming to harm, or will starve while you are away. I would even try a week of cutback feeds and water changes to see the result before you go too. Make sure the filter is operating well before you go.

Don't know why you're blushing. I was the one who looked, I didn't show! :lol:

You're welcome (although last time I looked I had female bits )

I get my driftwood from the Hokitika beach. I just give it a good hose down and a light scrub with a nail brush (or toothbrush in the tight corners). The small amount of salt stuck in it should be negligible when added to the tank.

I assume that pic is sideways :-? If you have threaded everything correctly it should be fine. One way to find out! PS. It isn't my fault if it isn't right either! :lol: Well done for finding the flower.

Come on Sam, read your sig! Choose a word with which it is possible to continue

Cameras have a close-up function called macro. It is usually indicated in a screen display as a small flower (a tulip I think) hence the term flower button. I usually refer to it as tulip mode myself :lol: Using macro will give us a clear shot of the object close up rather than focussing on your lovely floor in the distance

I'm afraid I have not seen one of those filters. If it is a plug of some sort one would expect it to be on the top of the filter somewhere :-? Does it have ribbed hoses? Is it to shut off a hose or an alternative outlet for a hose somewhere perhaps :roll:

Scottie841's flatmate should be able to tell us!

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rotten

Waiting... What brand is the filter?

They sink

You don't need special food for swordtail fry anyway - just finely crush flake in your fingers

My Jebo came with a filter pad in each basket. I just filled each one up on top with ceramic noodles. I don't bother with carbon. The noodles are where the bacteria grow.

Over the years we have been hosted by others plus billetted at conferences when we couldn't even afford a basic cabin at a motorcamp. We are now in a position to repay that generosity and offer a break away to others who are currently in a similar position. I forgot to add, we also have broadband for those who get withdrawal symptoms when away from their computer for any length of time. We also have a 1.7m screen and data projector for showing movies etc. and have the goodies like Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, A Sharks Tale and others in a similar vein. Plus, of course, you can sit and watch my lounge tank inhabitants go about their exciting daily lives. :lol: Oh, forgot to mention the bathroom is about to be gutted and re-built so we may only have one but it will be a nice new one (with a fish tank in it too! :bounce: )

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am picturing all these naked possums running around :roll: :lol:

OK, with the recession hitting quite a few, holidays may be off the radar for a while. This offer is for those who need a break but can't afford it. We have always told people they are welcome to stay the night if they are travelling between the islands and need a break at the halfway point so this is just an extension of this. We have met some great people over the years! :bounce: We live in Blenheim and have 2 spare bedrooms available (queen bed, single plus stretchers etc). Whether you are single, a couple, or have kids, we are offering a place to stay for free for a few days for those for whom money is tight at the moment. Buy your own food, or contribute to the groceries. We also have a car that seats 7 so as long as you can get to a ferry terminal, airport, bus or train station we can pick you up. The car could be available for your use (assuming you are over 25yrs and have a clean, current driving licence) as long as you pay for fuel or we are happy to show you our district. The wine trail is very popular There are a lot of things to do in Marlborough, especially if you like out door activities like biking, walking, hiking etc. The Sounds are 25 minutes away or you could do a day trip to Nelson. Kaikoura is also a scenic drive and an easy day trip. We have the Wither Hills walk and bike tracks right behind our house so easy to access and lovely views. Pelorus Bridge is a great place for a day's picnic with nature walks and good swimming (although very cold water!) We don't care when, or how many of you, just give us a PM or email to discuss possibilities and it will be first in first served. If necessary, we can pitch a tent in the front yard or, if you decide to visit late January/Feb kids would love sleeping in the open on the verandah. There is room to park a small camper if necessary. We live next to a small reserve with plenty of space for kids to run around and it has swings and seesaws to play on. We also have a large pond they could fall in :lol: You would get to meet Bud the wonder budgie! There are plenty of places to visit (many free but some with entry costs). We have the Omaka Warbirds Museum which is excellent, Brayshaw Park (model train rides for kids on certain days) the riverside railway (again, only on specific days) plus a great mini golf course and Eccoworld in Picton (not to mention all the beaches). Pollard Park is a lovely garden park with a river running through it and play area for kids. Feb 6th is the Blues Brews and BBQs. Always popular and sold out in advance. Tickets to this R18 event are $40 and we live a 3 minute drive or a 15 minute walk (assuming you can walk in a straight line when you come home). Happy to drop you off and pick you up. If you have kids we will even babysit for you! http://www.bluesbrews.co.nz/blenheim will give you a list of entertainers booked for this. The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is Feb 13th and is $48. If you are willing to work there for the morning (an easy job of guarding the chillers) we may be able to get you in for the rest of the day for free http://www.wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz has more details. Liam Finn is headlining. Again, we can get you there and back, depending on times as we both work out there all day. Our home was built 30 years ago and we only have one bathroom (no fancy en suites here!) but plenty of room for visitors. This offer is open to all from now onwards. Whether you just want a weekend away or a week please contact me.

I know you can get stuff to keep whites white (be it dye or bleach based) but not heard of a black one. I would assume, even if it isn't a dye, that it should not stain the washing machine as the dyes you buy certainly don't. Read the label on the container, it should tell you, or have an 0800 number you could ring and ask.

Is it possible some work was being done on the water supply in your area? I know they have been doing major stuff to it in ChCh recently. I assume they were the only fish in the tank affected?

All under 3ft I think but don't quote me. :roll: Outside, the size of the tank will make little difference to what temperature it can reach, although it will have less swings to it. My paddling pools I breed the fish in get over 28C (and over 32C at times on really hot days).

I picked up a booklet today called the National Pest Plant Accord (2008) which says all the plants listed in it are considered pests throughout NZ. All are banned from sale, propagation and distribution. One of those listed is Vallisneria spiralis. I can't find a V. nana in any of my plant books. A full copy of the NPPA booklet and updates can be viewed at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/nppa Further information can be found on the Weedbusters website http://weedbusters.co.nz

In Nelson you would have to be very careful where you put it. I remember Billaney attempting to breed fish outside in tanks last summer but found the temperature got too hot and was hard to regulate.

Looks really good. Well done!