Caryl

Very nice photo despite the crappy camera I bet we all wish our tanks looked that good!

Very nice fishboi

Probably only works on Italian fish

OK. I managed to confuse a lot of people by asking people to let me know if the DIDN'T want their user name from here to be added to their Year Book details :roll: I figured I would get the definite NOTS this way and the YES people would also add their bit. Some did, but others didn't as they quite rightly pointed out I had asked for those who were against it so they didn't reply. This won't work as I need permission to print your user name in the Year Book so, if you have not already agreed to this (and many of you have already done so, so thank you) PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT IS OK TO ADD YOUR USER NAME TO YOUR YEAR BOOK DETAILS if you haven't already done so. FNZAS MEMBERS ONLY PLEASE 8) I have time to add other user names as I was held up unpardonably by some clubs not sending their details in on time. As a consequence, I will only be able to start the magazine print runs tonight, starting with the AW, so magazines (you get the August AW plus the YB posted together this month) will not be out until at least next week. I would apologise for the delay but it is not my fault :evil: If you want to know who to blame, the worst offenders were HBAS, Waikato and North Shore :lol:

Because it only works temporarily depending on the buffers in the tank. It can result in wild pH swings too.

Do not use that pH Down stuff! Try putting driftwood in the tank or fill a mesh bag with peat and drop it in the tank or pack it into the filter.

Just trying to cover all the bases. An aquarium is said to be 'mature' when ammonia and nitrItes are 0 and nitrAtes have begun to rise. You then do water changes to keep the nitrAtes below 50mg/l although less than 25mg/l is better. The sensitivity of different species to nitrAte levels varies.

But I cropped all the uninteresting bits off the pics Alan so none had red tickets

What are the nitrAte levels? If it is just bottom dwellers dying I would suspect something in the substrate.

Peas are good for constipation, if you can get the fish to eat any. Cooked pea with the shell removed. I don't think a salt bath does much for constipation or headstanding. Are you thinking of Epsom Salts? Some people use plain salt as a general tonic. I am finding different dosage rates for Epsom Salts. Two sites said to get the fish to eat 1 grain. Another said 1 tsp per gallon (but not sure if that is Imp or US gallons). Yet another said a 15 - 20 minute bath 1Tbs of Epsom Salts per US gallon (3.7L) and another recommended 1 Tbs per half a gallon (US). This lot came from a US oscar site... Epsom Salt Treatment Quickest Cure: Feed a shelled pea. Peas are natural laxatives for fish. You may want to slightly blanch or microwave the peas for a few seconds to soften them up and remove the shell. Quick Cure: Feed a pea with a crystal of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) in it to the fish. Epsom salts is a purgative. If that doesn't purge the fish, use one of the expanded methods below. Ammonia levels must be watched carefully. Short Dip: In a large container filled with water from your aquarium, add 1 tablespoon Epsom salts per gallon (this keeps water temperature constant for the initial part of the bath. Swim the fish in this solution for 1/4 to 1/2 hour or until stress shows or feces are released. Top the water up in the fish's usual container with dechlorinated water and return the fish to it. Change the water in about an hour to remove any feces and residual salts. Repeat daily until fish shows signs of recovery. Check for signs of bacterial infection or parasites for further treatment. Medium Term Bath: 1 tablespoon Epsom salt per 5g, repeated every day for 3 days. Up the temperature to between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit and monitor for two weeks. Increase aeration or surface agitation during this time of offset the lack of oxygen in the water due to the high temperatures. During this procedure do not feed. After the fish has recovered - feed a more varied diet including live foods as much as possible (crickets, earthworms, bloodworms, etc.) Check for signs of bacterial infection or parasites for further treatment. Long Term Bath: Add 1/8 teaspoon of Epsom salt for every 5 gallons of water. Up the temperature to between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit and monitor for two weeks. Increase aeration or surface agitation during this time of offset the lack of oxygen in the water due to the high temperatures. Check for signs of bacterial infection or parasites for further treatment

thanks for that 8)

I have 5 pics of guppies from the Show but no idea who they belong to :roll:

The only club details now missing are those of NORTH SHORE. wok, ask seahorsemad to contact me if he wants his user name added to his details please. I will need to know who he is too 8) If you have a meeting tonight, check with any other members who have a user name in here please to see if they want it added.

Very nice. Now I know what to aim for

I get it occasionally if I overfeed too much at once.

If you own a large chilly bin then use that. Be prepared for your fishes to lose all colour though! Don't panic, they will get it back once back in a tank.

Western are affiliated and all is done for them. Rogan you didn't hold me up. I am waiting for Waikato and North Shore to pull finger. Devon you must belong to one of the affiliated clubs to be eligible for a YB. If you are no longer in NZKA (assuming you were before) then you will not get the magazines but, as said, you can subscribe to the AW but it is often cheaper to join a club.

I thought I would get a faster response putting it that way Jude. Actually, I am unable to print a user name without express permission as it is against the rules. SO, any other FNZAS members who have not replied, or who I have not contacted, if YOU DO want your user name added to your Year Book details, please let me know as well ASAP. 8)

Common plecs are tolerant of a wide range of pHs. Red/brush algae usually favours tanks with a high pH. What size is the tank, how long has it been set up, what other fish are in it and are just plecs dying? If so, how long have they been in the tank before death?

Anyone else? I have yet to start printing as some clubs have still not sent their capitations and Year Book levy in to the FNZAS treasurer! :evil: Considering the cut-off date was July 20th, this leaves a lot to be desired. As a result, this year's Year Book and the August Aquarium World will be late as both get posted together.

A table would need more bracing added to support the weight.

Very nice puttputt. What better way to spend a rainly afternoon? 8)

Gently lie some paper towel on the surface then lift immediately. Repeat until scum has gone.

Is it possible he has been constipated and it is just stuck poo? Is the fish looking healthy otherwise? Not lost weight? Weight loss may be a sign of internal parasites. If otherwise healthy I would wonder if it is just poo.

If they are cut to the correct length (check the instructions) they should not move around much once in place. You want a little movement so you can wipe around them (algae on inside, drips etc on outside)