Caryl

More photos are coming but it takes a while to fix, resize and upload.

You know I always use your articles and pics pies :lol: . How is the next article coming for the August edition? Looking forward to seeing it gazza

Happy anniversary :lol:

First lot of pics uploaded. Here are the ones taken at the AGM and evening entertainment. In case you are wondering, the apple dance sequence was an attempt to teach them how to disco :lol: . Very funny to watch and I gather, from the laughter, the participants found it funny too - even the 2 who went on to have angina attacks afterwards! Apple dancers from left to right are Robin, Lyn, Alan, Janey, Kevin and Denise http://photobucket.com/albums/v144/cary ... 5&addtype=

Hi creative. I suggest you post this in the saltwater section too (if you haven't already) as many of the salties don't read the other topics.

Anyone building a fishroom - I would appreciate it if you would write an article about it for the Aquarium World and take pics of progress etc

My tropical tank sits at 22C anyway (except in summer when the room temp can raise it to 28 - 30C). Not sure that 2 - 4C would be that much of a difference when you think the daily temp changes by more than that over a 12 hour period.

I assure you lake Grassmere does not freeze Alan - but the wind chill factor does I gathered brine shrimp eggs from the salt ponds and just threw them in a plastic container of sea water. Like Ira, I never fed them, just topped up the container with fresh water to replace evaporation. They grew and had babies all by themselves for over 12 months before I moved the container outside and it split.

I think that in the long run I would have the discus in a separate tank.

Hi Sean and welcome. Looks like you have well and truly caught the fish keeping bug

I don't actually check mine either but if you are having problems with your tank, these tests will help work out the cause.

There is also the theory that, like some other animals, sex is determined by temperature. He must be one happy fella though! :lol: (and it only takes one)

Ignorance is bliss eh Anthony?

Quite possible

Crisis time will be about a week after the tank is set up as this is when the ammonia will spike, especially with that fish load in such a small tank. Keep up those water changes and test the water daily for nitrates and ammonia

Kribs are mellow - until they want to breed then look out!!

I have always found keyholes peaceful if cichlids is what you want.

I think you may be right about the betta. When we had dwarf gouramis we found them very timid and easily intimidated but others say the opposite!

I would get a second tank for the discus and keep them away from all the other fish you have. 6 discus will outgrow a 180L tank on their own. "Sucker" type fish are well known to find the large sides of fish like discus irresistible.

Chlorine is used in water to make it safe to drink. It is used in many products today as well. Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia and is more stable than chlorine so many countries have started using it instead of chlorine to purify their water systems. Chlorine is unstable, easily dissipated in water, and has that awful smell whereas chloramine is more stable and doesn't dissipate in water so easily. It also isn't as good at killing micro-organisms so more needs to be used. The problem is, the same chemicals which keep humans safe can be toxic to fish. Not only can chlorine or chloramine kill fish, it also kills the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium filters.

Yes platies can chase other fish. Usually it is the males who try to dominate everything else and show them who should be boss.

Vinegar is good to clean glass with. I use glass cleaner spray and a cloth, or paper towel.

We have finally arrived home too after a great week's holiday and a thoroughly enjoyable conference (even if it was cold!). Will post pics as soon as they have been uploaded.

Sounds like one very stressed gourami. How is it now?

Leave everything as is until you get back. We have been away on holiday for a week and I am still trying to catch up on the posts!