Caryl

Do some water tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

I wasn't there when they did it so can't answer the questions. I seem to remember them saying the concrete was 10cm thick but I wouldn't quote me on that. I am emailing this updated thread to them so they can see your comments and suggestions too. They called in an expert from somewhere who is overseeing the fix. Fingers crossed and we will wait and see.

Thanks for all your thoughts and comments. The landscapers have decided it is the size of the stones in the concrete versus the spraying on of the sealant. Water level has dropped further, below the pipes so I am pretty sure it is porous all over. They will re-seal it on Monday. Too late about the concrete additives since they have already done it Wonder if it can be added to the sealant? Tanksman; I was going to hang upside down off the deck until I remembered the display screen and angle capabilities of my camera

That was my thought too. Mine all have black edged fins.

I too am waiting to see if the level drops further or whether it is the post.I never noticed the footprint :lol: The last pic was taken at ground level using the display screen and angling the lens. The camera was too heavy for the chopper.

I came home to find a note on the door reassuring me they are on the case. They are going to drain the pond and re-seal it. The sealer was sprayed on. Here are the poles Alan. Hard to tell what's under the rocks here but under the decks they look like this

You will have to join a long queue for that one

Will do when I get home. They are encased in plastic pipe.

Penetrations? They dug the hole put down reinforcing, wire and liner then poured the concrete in one go. Not sure where the water's going Jude. It is so dry here and we are in an old river bed so perhaps it is just going home No lakes appeared in neighbours, or over fence in reserve either. No extra cost to us Ira as they built it so must see it right, which I am sure they will do.

Hey if I sealed it with bunny poo I would get a good colony of daphnia too! :lol: Went home for lunch and level has dropped further. Oh dear. It is actually lined underneath the concrete Jude. Methinks they needed a thicker sealant.

I was going to get a 6ft tank made and use the old 4ft for a sump but now wonder if it wouldn't be easier (and take up less room) to get one of these new fandangle machines.

If you want to stay overnight you can all just line up along the verandah with your sleeping bags

Sheep lick their lambs to leave their scent on them. Perhaps she is identifying her fry.

You would be most welcome to visit dee_jay. Not sure how green the grass will get in sunny Marlborough (despite the irrigation) but we will see. Bad news this morning though as we got up to find the water dropped considerably overnight, despite the welcome rain, so we have a leak!! Am waiting for the guys to come and figure out where the problem is. I don't envy them the task.

I shouldn't have to wait as the pond was sealed with non toxic paint but at the weekend I will do a pH check to see if it is the same then add a few fish to cycle it (where are you little wcmm's?)

Day 13 (days 11 and 12 had work done but not the sort a photograph would show - lots of digging etc) WE FILLED THE POND TODAY!!!! Took about 8 hours I think :roll: The garden on the other side was added to and the small pond put into place and planting established Here is our newly sown lawn from the pond and from the far side looking towards the pond... The landscapers have been brilliant. They took my vague ideas of what I wanted and created just what I wanted. 8) There are 2 automated irrigation systems in place, one for the gardens and the other for the lawn (which needed 7 truckloads of topsoil). I look forward to seeing the plants grow as I have no idea what most will look like :lol: Where they took the fence out to get the trucks and diggers in, we asked if they could replace it with a gate. So... The rocks are holding boards in place where they had to do a little re-concreting where fence posts were removed. Anyone wanting landscaping in the Marlborough area, I highly recommend Impact Landsaping For those asking the cost - it was a LOT but worth it. There was a lot of work involved as you have seen and it has taken the 3 of them 2 weeks. They will still be returning to check the lawn is growing well and the plants coping in their new garden.

OK, quite some time ago I bought some barbs I was told were Puntius rhombooccellatus. I got several but one of these barbs is not like the other. I asked back then if anyone knew what it was but nobody did so I am trying again. The first pic shows the 2 different fish in question. The bottom one is the rhom barb. What is the top one? Here is a closer look. The nearest I could find was Puntius everetti but it isn't quite right for that species either.

They look different to me. Try looking for them on Curt's site www.plantgeek.net and see what you think. I looked myself but was still confused :roll: I have this one which, to me, looks like your back ones blue. I was told, by the owner, it was mini vallis but have always assumed it was mini sag, Sagittaria subulata aka dwarf.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Possibly caused by banging his head on something. Unless it is showing signs of a secondary infection (fungus) I would leave it and just keep an eye on it. I am not a fan of using medications unless as a last resort. If you tank conditions are good it should clear on its own. Others may disagree though

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you will fit right in. Cees, our webmaster, is into taking photos of astronomical stuff so combines 2 of your hobbies

I will be booking our flights this afternoon and hoping to make the trip back on the Monday as late as possible. This is because I also hope some kind Wellingtonians will be willing to put up with us for the day (as I assume we will have to vacate the lodge by 10am) and perhaps take us to see their (and others) fish

I too have reflectors made from plastic guttering (there are pics posted in here of them somewhere). I lined some of mine with aluminium foil to refect the light downwards more.

I am picturing all these fish sitting around with their fins around each other singing drinking songs and laughing over silly jokes :lol:

Very nice kookie!