Caryl

You can't really see...

Carbon re-releases all the stuff back into the water if you don't change it and can cause major problems if this happens. I never use it. It is useful to remove medication or tannin discolouration but otherwise it is not necessary.

I have mini vallis in my tank and I vacuum over the top of it no problem.

Hi from me too. :bounce:

Smaller fish will often show signs of stress (clamped fins etc) before the bigger ones. Check your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

Welcome to the fishroom. Nice tank. You are right, there is no such thing as overfiltering but there is such a thing as too much current for some species. As Alan suggests, a spraybar would help. Turning it down will not make it any less efficient. My 4ft African currently has two Fluval 404's, an Eheim wet/dry and a Jebo 801. Plus it usually also has an internal cansiter or 2 as spares in case of emergencies. Only have that many as I wanted to keep the filters going after dismantling other tanks. The big ones all have spray bars.

I think I have some spare. PM me your name and address and I will post some. It travels fine in a ziplok bag in an envelope so only costs 45c.

There are so many hybrids out there

I saw 'lionheads' and assumed you meant goldfish 8)

I was reading a thread in the saltwater section re how to keep the temp down in the marine tanks on hot days. Got me checking my tanks and I found an interesting (to me) discovery. I would expect the inside tank temps to match the room temp. The ponds could vary due to wind chill but... Lounge temp - 29.5C Tanks in lounge... 4ft community (tank surrounded on all sides except front) 29.5C leopardfish in 3ft tank (metal lid) freestanding 29.5C goldfish in 18" tank open on all sides and near window 32C! The goldfish was in direct sun for a short time early morning but not since. The African tank matched its room temp too - 28C but I have the aircon on now so it should drop. Outside I have one 6ft paddling pool, one water trough slightly smaller but similar height, and half a mussel float for the daphnia. The air temp is 27.5 but was 30.8 earlier in the day. The paddling pool and daphnia float are both 28C but the goldfish pond is still 30.8C. Maybe the fact it is fibreglass means it retains the heat longer. I expected the mussel float to also keep its heat longer as it is black and quite shallow. Since none of the fish (or daphnia) appear to be concerned their temps are up a bit I have not done anything to lower it, like turning off the lights, lifting the lid, running a fan across the surface, or dropping frozen bottles of water into the tank. How are the temps at your place?

Sciaenochromis ahli? I am no cichlid expert though.

Don't use Ammolock! It will stuff up the cycling. Keep it natural. It will also stuff up test results.

They are digging for China! I would assume it is the knife fish. I know nothing about them but know it won't be the others :lol: As to why it is doing it, apart from the previous suggestions, why not?

Looking gorgeous Apisto. Can't wait for your article

Generally speaking most of us are lucky so when we do have power cuts, they aren't very long. You can get battery operated airpumps. Don't think swishing them about in a bucket is worth the effort Caper. Only some of the bacteria die, most survives, so better to leave it undisturbed until the power comes back on.

HBAS meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at the Aquarium, Marine Parade, Napier. If you click on the Home Page then Clubs, you will find a list of contact details.

Good one Luke! Yes pegasus, he has already made "Hmm I think I will write an article" noises 8) :bounce:

That's right Caper, they need the water movement - trapped as they are in a small container. Bacteria are living organisms too. You wouldn't like to be suddenly dunked in cold water would you? A person with a weak heart or something could die from a shock like that.

They are a cold water fish (I have some). Their preferred temp is 16 - 20C but they can be kept outside. I am sure someone in here said they kept them in a barrel outside right through winter with no problems. Don't know what temp they got down to though. Sharn has the right link. Their name is Phalloceros caudomaculatus

First tank I have seen where the fish put up posters on the wall :lol: Nice discus!! 8)

Reminds me of my brother's car - he had mushrooms growing in the wheel well in the boot! :lol:

It isn't how many plugs but how much current the appliances are drawing.

Read this lot... http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/cyanobacteria.html Very interesting. I resorted to Erythromycin in the end as nothing else worked. It worked quickly and the cyano hasn't returned. I got the cyano initially from infected plants. I did not find it had any effect that I could see on the filter bacteria. Some claim (read the above link) that the bacteria in the filter are different so are not affected and it is actually the dying cyano that causes the ammonia spikes. I hauled the dying stuff out as fast as possible. Ended up with a cyano free tank, no cycling problems and no fatalities. PM me you name and address and I can send you some Erythromycin (pays to have Drs for friends )

What goes around comes around they say Perhaps whoever said that keeps fish :lol:

OK you Gisbornites. There has been a suggestion you start your own fish club rather than travel through to Napier for meetings. What about it? Keen to give it a go?