Caryl

As far as I know Jebo and Aqua One filters work the same way and are very similar in looks. I love my Jebos and have heard good things about the Aqua One as well. I know it is personal preference, but why would you want to use blue gravel in a tank? To my way of thinking it isn't natural and detracts from the fish and plants which should be the main feature. Dark gravel is best as the fish are more comfortable and show up their colours a lot more. I can't help you with your bulk question sorry. Do you really want a tank that comes with stand? Have you thought of making your own stand, or using existing furniture? This can be a lot cheaper and the money saved can be spent on more fish

Are you breeding them outside at the moment? Is that why you have put this in the coldwater section? Although they will tolerate cooler temps, they are not a coldwater fish. I breed my barbs outside in a plastic pool over summer but they can't live there all year round in this area.

If it is a small tank (60 x 30 x 30cm or less) then I would change 10L a week (a bucket out, a bucket in). The females get fatter as they are about to produce but not to the extent of female guppies as they have fewer fry. The parents tend to leave the fry alone, especially if they are well fed and there is plenty of plant cover. I have never separated the parents from the fry.

Welcome Mcarver. I don't think fishkeeping has basically changed much at all. Although there are the high tech ones and the test fanatics out there, many of us still stick to the tried and true heavy planting, low stocking and good filtration. You are right about the poor examples of fish to be found for sale though

There are 3 ways to do it; 1. a fishless cycle. This involves using pure ammonia to start the nitrogen cycle. I know little about this method but a Google search will find you plenty of information. This method is very popular overseas and favoured over using fish these days. 2. Using fish. To do it this way you very slowly build up fish stocking levels, using hardy fish to start with. As the fish produce ammonia the bacteria starts building up in the filter. The idea is to add a few fish at a time over several weeks. 3. Cloning. Run a filter on an established tank for a month then transfer it to the new tank and immediately add a similar fish load.

There is stuff you can buy to paint the inside of concrete water storage tanks. Use that. Don't know what it's called but that is what they used on our pond.

As stated, the scientific name is Phalloceros caudomaculatus. A livebearer, the leopardfish is not as prolific or fast producing as guppies. They like lots of water changes to induce spawning and will have 8 - 15 at a time. They produce more females than males so look after your fellas carefully. If they don't like conditions they won't spawn, otherwise they can produce every 6 - 8 weeks or so. They are not fussy re pH and stuff but do appreciate good water conditions.

I can certainly read but sometimes an alternative suggestion may offer other possiblilities not previously considered. Yes there is a club in Nelson. The Tasman Aquarium Club. PM or email AMAZONIAN for details as he is President. They are newly formed and going well.

Glaziers are the cheapest.

Welcome to NZ 8) I too would remove the lobster and cray. Anyone tell me what the difference is between a lobster and a crayfish?

Good to see you back Caper. The only reason I hadn't been too worried was the jokes you were emailing me so I knew you were still around. Been away a month myself and just got back last night. Sorry to hear about Puffball you will miss him. How is Ray? Hope the new job is an improvement on the last one and the pay is better too

Welcome. Our pond was coated with the stuff they paint water tanks with.

Congratulations to your club Sue. Good to know it is still going strong after so many years.

I have seeded a filter on my own tank then unplugged it and driven almost 4 hours, then another hour mucking about, before setting it up on another tank. Not a problem

Welcome to The Fishroom, the home of fellow fishaholics.

Depends what fish are in there as they will eat the roots. I would remove the lead weight and plant the cabomba.

I thought when you got older you were supposed to get WISER! :roll:

The fish you have will outgrow the tank. Don't add more. Comets are best in a pond.

I would have said it is way too much but if all is well in the tank then keep doing what you are doing. I don't even feed my fish once a day and will leave them up to 2 weeks without food if we go away. My tankis lightly stocked and heavily planted and well matured though.

My son lives in ChCh and doesn't add anything to his tank water, like water ager etc.

Ask Tank Man as he builds them. Check out his thread here for example; http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/tank-m ... 16692.html

If, by bubbler, you mean just an airhose then no you don't need it but you can keep it there if you want. Some fish like to play in it and it helps break up the watr surface aiding oxygen release etc

The prices vary widely from shop to shop and area to area. Some fish in ChCh are a lot cheaper than the same fish in Auckland, and vice versa. Same goes for plants. I can't believe what some have to pay for basic plants like Java fern.

Make sure they are clean with no flesh remaining.

Welcome from me too