Caryl

We figured we ought to remove Bud's deposit first :lol:

Serves you right Aaron-Betta. You obviously aren't in here often enough Don't let one person upset you Barrie. It can't have been too bad if it only took 2 merlots to help 8) People seem to forget the purpose of this site is to be friendly and helpful so people find their hobby enjoyable and stress free!

I, for one, am relieved to know your eyes now have fry :lol:

Mosy likely caused by uneaten food since that isn't many fish for a 5ft tank. If you are feeding fry they need little bits often so feed less each time.

I had 1 tiger barb in with rosys with no problem. I don't think the tigers would bother the BNs. Most fish ignore them.

Argosy,that was the name, not Argus (I almost got it right!). Our wires sit on top of the Pinex, evenly coiled over the whole base. Tank sits on top with a lot of gravel init. It has been running over 10 years now. Only problem we had was recently the thermostat cooked a few fish and had to be replaced.

Yeah we built our own using wire, like that in electric blankets, laid out on Pinex. We went to Argus Heating (I think) told them the length and the power required and they worked out the suitable cable to do that, put the mains on, and sealed it (you need special tools to do that). Your biggest problem will be finding a thermostat.

I used top have brine shrimp growing in a plastic container. They had eggs every now and then. I didn't feed them anything, just dropped in the occasional bit of sea lettuce when I thought of it. They were in there a couple of years before the plastic degraded in the sun and the container split. Luckily I had taken it outside before that as it has been on the floor on the lounge carpet :roll: They were kept out of minor interest, not to use as fish food. It is my understanding adult brine shrimp are somewhat lacking in the nutritional department.

We didn't play games in class when I was at school. We learnt to read and write and some of us managed to learn to do math as well (but I wasn't one of them) No school camps either!

Ammolock should not be needed. Water changes are the quickest and easiest way to fix the problem. As said, it will give you false ammonia readings so how will you know if you have fixed the problem? :-?

Minnie Caldwell's cat was called Bobby (I looked it up. Aint the internet interesting?) :lol:

Too hard to tell from the blurry photos. Are the patches fluffy? If so, it is a fungus. Probably a secondary infection to underneath damage. Are there any places where the fish, if startled or chased, could scrape its sides as it shot through a small gap?

Sounds good Noel, I appreciate your articles. Are you aware Stella has already written a series on native fish? I can send you copies if you like so you don't repeat too much. I am sure there are plenty more things to say about them

We thought the placement of this "deposit" was most appropriate. A pity he didn't read the whole sentence though :roll: In case you can't read the line on which he deposited, it says; "Return the lower part of this form to register along with a non-refundable deposit of $50.00 :lol:

I like the grin in 2 as well

I know my barbs grew larger and more colourful outside in ponds too.

You are correct Alan. I read that in wikipedia so it must be true! :lol:

It is my understanding, in birds, if it is white with red eyes it is albino. If it is another colour, eg yellow, with red eyes it is lutino. I thought a fish would have to be white to be classified albino since the dictionary says; –noun, plural -nos. 1. a person with pale skin, light hair, pinkish eyes, and visual abnormalities resulting from a hereditary inability to produce the pigment melanin. 2. an animal or plant with a marked deficiency in pigmentation. 3. Philately. an embossed stamp accidentally left without ink. Albinism is from the Latin albus - white. Wikipedia says, though; Most humans and many animals with albinism appear white or very pale; the multiple types of melanin pigment are responsible for brown, black, gray, and some yellow colorations. In some animals, especially albinistic birds and reptiles, ruddy and yellow hues or other colors may be present on the entire body or in patches...due to the presence of other pigments unaffected by albinism. 8)

I have never noticed a difference in the power bill due to the tank but my tank is enclosed on three sides and in a warm room. It is set at 22C (tank temp that is, not room). I do believe the bill rose a bit once we turned on the pond pump though :roll:

Con gratulations. Where's the pics? :lol:

Clamped fins are a sign of extreme stress and, as said, usually poor, or incorrect, water conditions. Are the fish you've listed all you have in the tank? What are the exact test readings?

It depends on what caused them to change. Mood swings, camouflage, breeding and stress are just some of the reasons.

Our house was built late 70's, wooden floor (so Grant could crawl around underneath adding and removing cables, wires etc). We had a waterbed for years with no problem and when we build our 6ft have no pans to reinforce the floor. I think our 4ft actually has an extra pile under it as that was the space in the original plans for a fireplace. If you are really worried, have an extra pile added under the floor where the tank is to go.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that Spink :roll: :lol:

Mine change colour and pattern a lot. They also sometimes look patchy.