Caryl

Nothing wrong with a pH of 7.4 - 7.6 if it is stable. The neons will be upset cos of the damage done, not the pH as much. Although they originally come from more acidic waters they are adaptable and these days cope with quite a wide pH range.

I have always been told BNs need wood in their diet but I suspect the bottom dweller pellets available these days have enough wood lignin(?) in them to do the job. Don't know though as I've always had driftwood in my tanks :roll:

It should be locked. As Rockerpeller says it gets the air out plus helps to fill up with water. Whatever you do, don't take it out with the inlet hose still turned on cos water goes EVERYWHERE!! :lol:

My first thought was carp pox (warts) too and it is contagious.

Do you mean that some were pink but are no longer so?

There are several in here from Tauranga. Perhaps one could babysit the fishes until your return?

I've not studied rummys up close. Is it possible the pink is blood?

That only works on some types of algae. I think you have your lights on for too long. 10 - 12 hours is plenty. You have an odd mix of fish there that won't be shown to their full potential as most are shoaling fish but you do not have enough of each. If it was me, I would swap the single x-ray tetra and the 2 head and tails for more cherrys or glowlights, and get more neons or swap for others. Shoaling fish stand out more and show their colours when in a large group (minimum 6 but preferably 12 or more if there is room). The clown loaches will outgrow that tank eventually.

A bit of background information would help dannybanks. How long has the tank been set up? What size is it? What kind of filtration? How many, and what, fish? What sort of lighting and how long are the lights on? We also need to know what sort of algae you have which is where a pic would help.

There are some sick people in the world

I don't know much about Buenos Aires tetras except the rip plants to shreds. Wouldn't be surprised if they have been nibbling fins too. :roll:

If it was just one fish and all the others are fine I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds like an injury that got infected.

You may find the meeting times or place for one club more convenient than the other too. Visit both then decide.

MTS - multiple tank syndrome . A disease known to hobbyists who find they need "just one more tank" for that new species, those angel fry, that new fish etc etc etc :lol: Are you able to show us a pic of your fish?

North Shore meet 1st Tuesday of month, 7.30pm, at Sunnynook Community Centre, 148 Sycamore Dr. Sunnynook. President is Tony Black

These forums are here to help all. If people start just emailing individuals it will not help others who have similar questions but who won't see the answers if they are not posted here. Please keep questions and answers where all may see and benefit - and offer their 2c worth

There is also North Shore who meet 1st Tuesday of month, 7.30pm, at Sunnynook Community Centre, 148 Sycamore Dr. Sunnynook.

Why not? If you suspect something get them to check it. Sounds to me like poor quality fish.

Quite possible as I was not aware the two mentioned were two different critters.

They are two separate clubs (and Loopy belongs to them both). The reason you only see Canterbury in the clubs list is because they are affiliated to the FNZAS whereas, at this point, Totally Tanked are not.

Ask MAF

Water boatmen are quite big and nasty. They will also eat fish eggs. It doesn't mean there will be daphnia as well but a good chance there will be. I always get a few boatmen in my daphnia but don't know whether I would get daphnia just cos I had boatmen :roll:

The reason I remember you so well is because you were setting up some display tanks of very large goldfish. You filled the tanks from the fire hose and the smell of chlorine was very strong. You then just dumped the fish in. When I queried this, you said you didn't have the time to waste getting fish used to different waters and chlorine etc and that they had learned to cope with it!

Limestone will raise the pH, which is what you want with those Africans. I had limestone in my tank for that reason.

They wil get aggro if anything approaches but rarely do damage. Fry will be free swimming after 4 or 5 days I think once they have absorbed the egg sac.