Caryl

I gather this tank is not being moved far? ie within the region. If this is a move across town then there is no need to take several weeks to put the fish back. I like to save at least half of the original water. This has nothing to do with any bacteria in the water (very little) but stability of pH etc. If you use food safe containers you know they are good to fish, some plastics may not be. You can get big food/fish bins easily for a reasonable amount. I find chilly bins good. I have also transported a large number of cichlids from ChCh to Blenheim loose in a polystyrene box (they were in the box about 5 hours) with no plastic bags at all. I have cycled a filter in Blenheim then taken it to ChCh and hooked it straight up to the new tank, added all the fish immediately, and all was good. Although some bacteria will die, as long as the filter media remains wet inside the canister (don't empty the water out of it), plenty will survive for several hours. Empty the main tank, move it, fill it again with as much original water as you could reasonably manage, hook up the filter again, top up the tank, make sure the temperature is about right, turn the filter back on, put the fish back in. It will be the equivalent of a large water change.

I think the fish are missing Dena as she feeds them when she's here but went back home to Christchurch this morning :-? I have just put the royal icing over the almond icing of the fruit cake I have made. It is my parents' 60th wedding anniversary today so I am making the cake look extra special. Pity I hate fruit cake, so won't be eating it, but as mum said "It's my anniversary and I want a fruit cake. I don't care if you don't like it, your dad and I do!" They are going to celebrate by offering morning tea to their friends after church on Sunday, so I will be busy baking tomorrow as I am providing the goodies. One of them might be this as they sound delicious! !drool: My son found the recipe yesterday and I think it needs to be made. :smln: What do you think Sophia?

We run a business from home but the accountant works it all out so I can't say what we claim etc but do know we can claim for most stuff except food and clothing (if our business required specialised clothing it would be different). We claim a percentage of the house, power and vehicle expenses etc. I am sure there is probably more we could do but feel the effort is not worth it as it is swings and roundabouts, what you gain in one area you lose in another. The accountant does all she can to keep out outgoings low compared to income and I believe we manage to run at a loss. Of course, when your husband works 70+ hour weeks it doesn't leave much time to then work on home business stuff!

Reminds me of the old lava lamps! :bggrn:

I am sorry I missed it, the first conference I have missed since I started about 1991! Congratulations to all those elected and I hope you do (or continue to do) a great job over the next 12 months and get lots of help from others :bounce:

I watched that earlier and loved it! Who knew so much about invertebrates? :bggrn:

I have a Sony and buy kindle ebooks. They can be converted on a programme called Calibre. I am sure there are others that do the same job but we find this works well. That is the only bit I can help you with as I have not used an ereader for anything but reading without pictures.

A lot of Palmy fishkeepers get their water from a tap at Wet Pets I think because it is a well and the council system has a lot of chemicals in it, or is too hard. Can't remember which.

No you cannot bring medicated food into NZ

All my wood was washed up on the beach and already waterlogged so I can't advise as to whether it helps it sink more quickly. I suspect you have a tangle of roots which are not as dense as the heavier heart woods so it is less inclined to sink. If you have not filled the tank yet, silicone the wood to the side and base glass to keep it in place. I like M@.'s theory as I thought boiling released any air bubbles trapped in the wood. I remember being told adding baking soda to the water helped too (can't remember why or how much).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/9881817/ ... l-you-over

welcome. Yes there used to be a really active group in the Wairarapa but, like many, it has fallen by the wayside with people seeming to lose interest in face to face meetings You will find a lot of people in the area do keep fish though. You just have to mention you have them and you will be surprised how many others then say they have too.

I shall! It tastes way superior to the tinned stuff I baked a Lemon Pound Cake today to use up some leftover Greek yoghurt and lemons. Smells lovely here! :thup:

African cichlids seem popular at the moment!

Attacked by a swarm of bees, several of which flew under my head scarf and stung multiple times before we could get them out of my hair. By the time I got into town to the chemist for antihistamine (I am allergic but not so bad I go into anaphylaxis) I was covered in a rash and my head had swollen so far it was hard to get my crash helmet off. Just got home before my eyes swelled totally shut. They stayed swelled shut for 3 days and eating was difficult due to swelling in my throat. Legs and other body parts also swelled as I was stung all over and quite ill for several days.

Thanks Sophia :love: I assume the "banoffee" is just caramelised condensed milk?

Nothing will eat the slimy dark green one (cyanobacter). Is there no way to cut the amount of light on it? Pull curtains, put up blinds, put card around the sides of the tank? Plants would help but unless you cut the direct sunlight I fear the algae would take over even the fastest growing plants.

That looks delicious! He is a very clever husband and sets a good example to others in the birthday department. Recipe please :bggrn: PS Making your own caremalised condensed milk, called Dulce de leche, is much nicer than buying a tin of caremalised condensed milk. A lot more flavour!

Hi and welcome. There are quite a few African cichlid keepers here so someone will be able to help if required along the way :thup:

The slightest twist when lifting may cause a leak, no matter how careful you are.

@aotealotl - I suspect it is an imprinted logo on the underside of the plastic container the fish was in to get its photo taken.

It may not have leaked when they sold it but a little stress on the move back to your place could be enough to create one.

Our club had a special meeting to discuss this back in February, having first received information about the changes, and why, some time before that so plenty of notice was given at the time. I believe legal advice was sought and given to go ahead. I suspect it would not matter what date the AGM was held, few would be willing to give their time (and be able to afford the expense) to attend.

I had them in the early '90's and got them from a breeder in Timaru.

An excellent cake and shows they know what is important to you :thup: (Those rocks look tasty )