Caryl

You should have come to visit me too! :lol: I found white rocks too bright but it didn't last long as they quickly went green with algae :roll:

Is the original stand slightly warped? Are the tanks made with glass that is not the correct thickness? I have been keeping fish for over 30 years and have only ever had one tank crack - and that was after an earthquake.

I too would leave the fish for 5 days. A lot safer and the tank will be a lot cleaner

Safe yes but the white ones are limestone and will raise the pH a bit. I had some of those east coast limestone rocks in my African tank. Didn't raise the pH as much as I expected though! Went to about 7.4 - 7.6 max The holey ones will need a good rinsing to get everything out of the holes. Rocks do not absorb salt so it just needs to be rinsed off.

I don't think you can over filter a tank (unless the current is so great the fish are fighting to swim forwards!). I usually have at least 1, but up to 4, small internal canisters in my tank. Always handy to have a ready small filter in case of a fish needing medicating, separating etc in another tank. Instant set-up 8)

Most people I have heard say AquaOnes are fine. I haven't had one but do have a couple of Jebo 819s, which I gather are similar. I LOVE them! Much prefer Jebo to my Fluval 404 (which blocks easily and is a pain to pull apart to clean) and I hate my Eheim wet/dry and would never buy one again. I have only had the Jebos a couple of years so can't comment on their life expectancy. Have a Fluval FX5 here too but as yet haven't hooked it up to anything.

I know you said fishy and animal related but you might like to broaden your horizons with some of the following... Petz N All is the petshop in Nelson. It recently moved. Used to be in Montgomery Square but is now in a street behind I think (head towards The Warehouse and you should see it). Sorry I don't know the address. Founders Park is interesting. It is a ye olde Nelson replica historic village type park. Has a large pond in it. They once emptied and killed hundreds of huge goldfish that people had let loose in it. WOW (World of Wearable Art) is great and not just for those who like fashion. Also has a large classic car collection there. Has a pond at the entrance (no fish) I second Mapua Aquarium and the Smokehouse as good destinations! There is an Eel Walk apparently as part of the Nelson Hertitage Walk. An easy walk around the central city. Starts at Aratuna (pathway of the eels) Normandy Bridge. Go to the Saturday Market, 9am - 1pm, in the Montgomery carpark (behind the main street) Tahunanui Beach is nice. Walk along the boulder bank. Visit the Miyazu Japanese Garden (on your left as you enter Nelson from Blenheim end) Isel House stately home and Park Broadgreen Historic House The Cathedral plenty of galleries and museums South Street. This is Nelson’s most well known and loved historic precinct, surviving as a unique group of cottages showing everyday housing from the 1860s up until the end of the 19th century. The South Street Gallery, on the corner, was a builder’s business in its early days. The two-storeyed building on the other corner was built by the City of Nelson Civic Trust in 1999. Off Nile Street West, South Street captures the feel of a past era. The 16 working-class cottages built between 1863 and 1867 remain intact and are still lived in. South Street Gallery sells works by several Nelson potters.

I do not see how you can blame the petshop. It may not have been their fault.

Hi and welcome. I am sure we can help keep you amused 8)

Aparently they lied. When MAF found out and asked about their quarantine plans, they realised they couldn't do what they said so the fish actually took off from Auckland, flew around there until they had been in the air the same length of time they would have if they had flown from Aus to NZ, then landed again :roll:

What is the substrate? Sounds like it is too sharp and has worn down the barbels and damaged their mouths. Is this a possibility?

I too saw that and wondered if it was legal as I thought goldfish were banned.

We have Warbirds over Wairau here every second Easter (I think). They fly right over our house so we have all sorts going by. I love the tri and biplanes. Seeing a group of them going past is great!

Have you got room to move with it in the kitchen?

Should be fine. Very few new tanks leak

Hi and welcome

Err, which one is you? :lol:

A pond that size (about the same size as mine) you do not have to feed the goldfish at all as there will be plenty of live food for them, plus algae, to eat. I feed mine once a day over summer though as it is fun and a good time to check all the fish are looking healthy with no obvious wounds or fungus on them, although there is plenty of live food zipping about in the water. I also have to feed them before I mow the lawn or I get the giggles. As I move up and down the lawn beside the pond I find I have a large group of fish swimming beside me up and down as I go. It looks funny. :lol: As the temperatures cool I feed less often, then not at all over winter. Once the temperature drops below 10C the fish semi-hibernate and stop eating so it is not good to feed them over winter if you live in a colder area. They can develop digestive problems eating in colder temperatures.

You are doing the right thing. Our cat got worse and worse until we had to have her put down too. It was hard but it was harder to see she was in pain and distress. At that age the guinea pig is beyond treatment. You are being kind. The vet will also confirm you are doing the right thing

Oh yes, No way are we leaving him on his own! My sister is moving in with him, and so is Bud for that matter, so between the two of them he should be under control.

I recommend the Tawhiti Museum. A great little place and very interesting! They have a great website too. www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz Go for a ride on the Waitara railway.

If this is a brand new never used before tank then I would just give it a rinse out with water to get rid of dust. You do need to fill it completely to check for leaks - preferably outside :lol:

Is this it? It is an odd shape as the stupid fish keep digging it up and it has been floating for a while sending off pups in all directions :roll: If that is it, I can spare one or two for you

I think he is slowly improving thanks Caper. On his second round of antibiotics now and it is slowly getting better. At least it isn't getting worse. He is still too sore to walk far but at least it ought to keep him out of trouble for a while :lol:

No, we are in the trade so buy direct from the wholesalers Grant does like to go into these places and wind them up :lol: