Caryl

I am sure I have pics somewhere as they were in a past Aquarium World magazine. Lots of people covered in mud :lol:

It isn't exactly a secret as there have been several group Molly Hunts to there over the years and a lot of fun had by all participants 8)

The November Aquarium World will have an article explaining colour enhancing foods and what is used where for which fish. Did you know if you feed an orange canary on carrot it will turn a brighter orange?

Wow, that is way too small for 1 oscar even!

Hi and welcome. You are right, you are going to need a MUCH bigger tank for just the arowana, let alone the oscars.

I think the goldfish foods often have colour enhancers specifically aimed at orange and red fish.

My fish eat whatever they are given and have never requested a particular brand.

I always have mine made by glaziers - lots cheaper than getting "brand" tanks.

What do you mean by "crashed"? There could be a number of reasons why a number of fish died over the weekend. Did you test the water parameters? Was the filter running correctly? Is the heaterstat working and temperature stable? The death of one reasonably sized fish (through old age, fight or disease) could lead to affecting the water enough to kill others. I have very deep gravel in parts of my 4ft community and it has been going about 5 years now and doesn't have an ugf either.

I hope you realise that was not a feeding block IOU1 and were just enquiring as to how they work compared to putting daily amounts into containers. I know some people use the block feeders but I am not a fan of them. I am not keen to add something to my tank that may, or may not, last the distance, or dispense the food evenly over the time required. If it pollutes the tank while I am away there is nothing I can do about it. Same goes for auto feeders. I know others use them too but I would be worried about them clogging up, especially as I feed a lot of flake foods which don't do so well in auto feeders. Alan, just ask them to feed them on the 7 days allowed and not feed them on the last day (or the first day). No problem. You can also get containers that have compartments for each day morning noon and night so relabel them days and you will be right.

Others have mentioned these before but here is a pic. If you are going away and asking someone to feed the fish, put the required daily amount in a pill container and hide the rest of the fish food. I found this pill container in one of the emporiums where everything is no more than $2. I leave my community fish unfed for a week as they are in a well matured tank but I prefer to have the big African cichlids fed regularly.

Hello Tim from a fellow Blenheimite. 8) Also, take your photos at night as there are less reflections. As much light as possible over the tank and room lights off

I have some shellbell, already waterlogged. Will be passing through Timaru next week too (Thursday 12 I think) What size is your tank?

Remember the wood should sink eventually shellbell so whatever you do doesn't need to be permanent, just long enough for the wood to get waterlogged.

Perhaps you are too big for it IOU1 :lol:

It is often sold as an aquatic plant but isn't really and will not last in the tank. Looks good in the meantime though

I too see them sometimes. They do no harm.

If the tank is now empty of water, silicone the wood directly to the base, or side of the tank

Don't get depressed and give up yet! What is the substrate - gravel or sand? It will have been disturbed by all your mucking about with the wood and should settle again over a few days. As for the driftwood, you could tie it to a large rock to hold it down. Some people silicone their wood to a flat piece of perspex or glass and lie the perspex flat on the base of the tank then put the substrate over it. It should sink eventually. I suspect willow will take a while as I presume it was dry.

Tim makes good tanks! We were looking at getting an FX5 in from Aus but the shops there said they were taking them off the market as too many were having problems. Good to hear yours is going well.

Please shift the fish before you think it is too big for its current tank. Keeping them in too small a tank stunts their growth.

I agree with the others. My wood came from the beach too but I didn't boil it (too big to fit in anything) but hosed and scrubbed it well. Never had a problem. Whether it contiues to leech or not depends on the type of wood. Mine ar rata and rimu and they have never leached at all. The driftwood, if a large piece, will be a focal point so it is good to add it first then work out the best way to arrange the plants around and/or on it. Since it is a goldfish tank you will be limited to the sort of plants you can have as they eat most of them!

Africans tend to hide from sudden movements but will come out eventually. They will come out more if they feel secure in their surroundings.

Looking good. How do you like the FX5? I am getting mixed reports.

Tiger barbs prefer acidic water. Why do you need dither fish in an African tank?