Caryl

I agree with Ira, once they reach a certain age all hell breaks loose! :roll:

Thanks for that Shiuh. Looks like they had it well set up. Hope they had support!

An electrician should be able to get work anywhere but a psych nurse has to go where the most nuts are - Auckland probably :lol: The South Island is not for those who like a lot of people and traffic jams but great if you like extreme sports, spectacular scenery and a laid back lifestyle (and better weather) .

Sounds good billaney. I hope someone does an article for me (and takes pics). Please let Marion know I am hoping for a list of the winners ASAP as I am holding the AW for this Show.

I think you may have the answer there TimTam22.

I'm sure it was GOOD bacteria Janet!! :lol:

and they'll love the aphids! I assume you don't use sprays in your garden? If you do, don't feed the critters to the fish.

I leave my 4ft community for a week at a time. It is well established and mature. Never had a problem (excpet for when the heaterstat jammed). They will survive 3 days no problem. If you can feed them live foods it would be better. Don't overfeed the bloodworms as they may pollute the tank.

I have no trouble growin gplants using standard daylight and bright white fluoros.

Have a look here http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tancap.htm It is the water surface area that is important, how much filtration you have and how much surface agitation there is. You have 10 bottom feeders in there so make sure they get enough to eat. The silver shark needs a much bigger tank to grow properly. The pictus likes to eat neons and similar sized fish. The tiger barbs will nibble at plants and the algae eater will suck holes in the leaves. Gold nugget plecs are apparently very territorial and need 0.3 - 0.5 sq meters of territory. I suspect the barbs at least will eventually start eating the fighter's fins.

I would keep up the water changes and keep an eye out for spots. I suspect a connection between the clamping unquarantined sword and the clamping rams. Clowns are sensitive and get white spot easily but rams are also very sensitive to water conditions. You need to check your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates too.

Know any farmers (I know you are in Auckland but there are surrounding bits of green) with a water trough? Often a good source of daphnia but watch out for water boatmen or blanket weed.

Lookin' good. How about a pic of it from further back so we get the whole tanks, stand and wall effect?

I was supposed to be a judge there but it clashes with my mum's 70th birthday party - which is more important.

It can be pixiejanet but can also be caused by ammonia poisoning or poor water quality

PM Alan, he generally knows who has what.

He's having tea with us on Monday 23rd (Labour Day) billaney so if you have gathered up all your prizes etc from the Fish Show you could pop over here - we are much closer. Peter is going to show me his pics so we can probably watch them on the big screen

Some fish species are dyed - a cruel practise which also shortens the life of the fish considerably. These fish are genetically modified. I can't see what is wrong with the beautiful, natural colouring myself.

Electric yellows (in fact all African cichlids) really need a minimum 3ft long tank. They grow large and are aggressive.

Did you know he is also a feature writer for the UK Practical Fishkeeping magazine?

Air bubbles are small and harmless. The gaseous bad bubbles are a lot bigger and stink when they break the surface. I have deep substrate in parts of my tank and every now and then get a pocket of big bubbles released when I siphon. Doesn't bother the fish as the bubbles are contained until they hit the surface.

Easier to do regular maintenance including using a siphon in the gravel. The snails work by burrowing through the substrate and releasing the gases before they cause problems. Regular gravel siphoning does the same thing - more thoroughly. You usually only get the gas problem in very deep substrate as it compacts over time.

Heavily planted with a good fish load these days

What is a traffic jam?? 8)

All the wineries have restaurants or cafes attached these days. Two things we do not lack in Blenheim are food and sunshine! 8)