Caryl

Slash the sump would work like a big canister filter if you filled it with bioballs and other media for the bacteria to grow in. The tank I was referring to is not planted so CO2 is not a problem.

An interesting observation HelifaxNZ. I knew mine would breed lots then stop for no apparent reason. Since my tank sits at 22 - 23C I wonder if the breeding coincided with the summer months when the tank temperature rose to over 27C with the room temperature. It sounds like this is to be another summer where we have to lift the lid, turn the lights off, and drop slikka pads into the tank when the room sits at 32+C during the day :roll:

It might help if we knew what sort of fish it is you are trying to breed!

I can't comment on the lighting as I don't know enough about it but I would use the sump as it will give more area. When we upgrade our 4ft to a 6ft we plan to use the 4ft as a sump.

Curt's plantgeek site is an amazing resource. I often recommend it.

Are you able to do a post mortem? Having a look at the internal bits under a microscope may give some clues. If swim bladder, it is possible the food may have caused a problem.

Of course you would be sent a copy! Looking forward to the finished article.

Still sounds like classic algae bloom to me

Not only could you put the whole process in here as a topic but if you wrote an article (with pics) I would be happy to print it in our magazine The NZ Aquarium World

Check the date on the original query Luke :lol: Hard to tell what you have without a pic.

Depends on what sort of plecostomus it is. If it is actually a bristlenose catfish then it is Ancistrus sp. A large plecostomus is usually Hypostomus plecostomus and a reddish spotted one with a large dorsal fin (aka red sailfin plec) is Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps

Angels can be very quiet or very aggressive depending on the individual fish. A group of angels is less likely to have an aggressive one than 1 or 2 on their own. Generally speaking tetras can hold their own with angels

Betta splendens is the scientific name for the Siamese fighting fish you were talking about in another thread casey05 (or I think it was you )

The flowing fins on a Siamese fighter are very inviting to other short finned fish and they will nibble away at them constantly. They are also kept separately to stop the males fighting with other males. Personally I think Siamese Fighters should be kept in a species only tank and not mixed with other fish but others would disagree.

Looking great! Interesting rock in the 2nd pic.

Sorry to hear about Dude. If you believe in a Heaven then it will be there

Also possible it is a small algae bloom caused by the clean-out upsetting the balance temporarily. It should disappear after a few days.

Hi Copper and welcome. Good luck too with the NCEA. Did you know there is a fish club in the Wairarapa? They meet the 1st Thursday of the month at the Masterton Intermediate Science Centre (opp. end of Michael St) 7.30pm. Club fees are $25 family, $20 senior or $15 for a junior (still at school). Ring the president, Marion, 378 8163 or perhaps John (he is retired so may be easier to get hold of) 378 2533. Tell them Caryl sent you :lol: PS. You NEVER need an excuse to get another tank. Tell the family they make great Christmas presents

Yes it is normal. They are a shoaling fish that need bigger numbers to settle down. With just 3 they will constantly fight for their place in the pack. You may lose 1 or 2 if it continues.

They probably know that with the speed at which your fish breed, they have to be free swimming as fast as possible to make room for the next batch! :lol:

Welcome Casey (from one who is well past being a teenager :lol: ) I would remove the carbon and not bother with it for full time use. You could use the money you save on not replacing it on other fishy stuff

I WAS going to ask permission first - honest! :lol:

Something destroyed the star grass I had in my tank. I thought it was the barbs but now wonder..

Oh WOW Paul. Brilliant pics as usual. I am starting to think the only pics on the AW covers are going to be yours in the future as the quality is just outstanding!

No there isn't but there are various fish clubs around the country. The NZKA is the only club to specialise in a specific fish (although we do have the online poecilia club but not sure what is happening to that lot and they have yet to be organised enough to affiliate it appears). There has been talk of restarting the Invercargill club but nobody seems to be willing to start the ball rolling. You can join a club from elsewhere if there is none near you. Dunedin would be closest and they have an excellent newsletter they would post to you. Even if you were unable to travel to meetings you would still have that contact (and membership to the FNZAS).