Caryl

Cardinals are certainly hardier and live longer than neons. I like the harlequins and they will be fine. I also have Hengeli rasboras. These look like harlequins except they are smaller and have a neon bright orange stripe in them. Look really cool! Your pH isn't too low so most fish will adapt. I have never had much success with dwarf gouramis so can't comment on whether a pair or trio would be better. The speedier schooling fish don't go so well with bettas as they love nibbling on the fins and will beat them to the food.

My boss breeds Birmans and they always use litter boxes inside. It often stinks, no matter how assiduously they are cleaned out (probably as there can be anything up to 12 cats and kittens using them). We never had a litter box for our cat, the first thing she was taught was to go outside to do her business.

You are mostly looking on the bright side Stella so all will go well. This was meant to happen. The feeling of hopelessness is understandable but will soon be over as soon as you start on all those other wonderful opportunities. Your reputation, re the book, is definitely not over-rated but well deserved. I look forward to seeing it published and will be certain to buy a copy (even if I have read the draft already) and use it for an excellent reference. The FNZAS will also get a copy for their library. Have you not noticed how many others you have hooked on natives since telling us about your adventures??? GO STELLA!!! :bounce:

:oops: Thanks for that spink and thank you for your stellar efforts so far! (and your article Barrie) Don't forget, to attend next year's conference you must produce an article for the Aquarium World (in lieu of registration) or there will be no accommodation for you at Rings Beach, Coromandel.

DIY projects (inc stuff like making tanks or stands or making your own 3D rock backgrounds, filters, hoods, and those little things that make life easier) fish food recipes Anything aquatic is appreciated and people like variety.

Are these for meat or their "wool"?

They are also happy just under a piece of driftwood or thick plant. My Ancistrus do not have any caves at all and have bred happily for years.

I only clean my Jebo out when the water return drops considerably - once a year or so. Had to do it every 2 or 3 months with the Fluvals and Eheims as they clogged. I have never changed the media, just rinsed and returned but none of mine have filter wool, just ceramic noodles and sponges.

Nice to know you are still alive!. I bet you have enjoyed their visit.

Somewhere to hide yes, specifically a tunnel - no.

If you pass through Blenheim on the way, pick me up too please 8) :lol:

My 4ft has 2 double 4ft fluoros on it and the plants grow very well. Metal halides aren't required, just better fluoros.

No lower age limit to be a junior but the upper age usually means you have not left secondary school.

My lips are sealed!! :lol:

Only if you get caught

So what makes you think I have never seen it before? :lol: That is my temporary tank. It sits on the coffee table and gets quite a bit of direct sunlight - which is why that algae is over it 8)

I don't think it is legal to sell live tubifex these days. Might be wrong though

I have always tried to live by "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I am also proud to say that, despite a few rough times, I now have two well adjusted, wage earning, young adults who are a credit to their parents. It could so easily have been different! :-?

We can use beach sand here if we take it as far above the waterline as possible. Anything lower has too much shell and it makes the tanks quite alkaline. Other beaches can have less shell.

You mean like this?

Yeah, he wants some mates - preferably female ones

Nothing will eat it. It may disappear on its own once the tank gets established and stabilised. Remove as much as possible then try blacking out the tank for 3 or 4 days.

Hi Kev There are quite a few marine keepers in Wellington but not a specific "club" for marines.

Sounds like a type of algae. Just keep wiping it off and as the tank matures and fully cycles, and the plants grow, the algae should disappear.

Where were the parents! If my daughter had turned up with a horse in tow I would want to know who it belonged to And if she had stolen it, I would have taken her to the cops myself and demanded they at least process her and lock her up for a few hours (to give her a fright) and then she would be made to pay for the damage (or work it off if she had no money).