Caryl

That is plenty. Once you are more experienced you will test even less. I only test my tanks if I suspect a problem. Let the tank settle a bit before the 2nd test. testing twice is just to satisy your curiosity and let you know what your tank is doing until you get the hang of it

The fish ought to be getting enough natural light so I doubt your light routine upsets them. Use fluorescents as they are cooler and cheaper to run. I would never consider a tank without natural plants as it is better for the fish and easier to keep the water parameters stable but lots of people keep artificial plants only with no problems. Your tank will heat to match the temperature of the room even if your heaterstat is set to a lower temp. Ours sit at 28C in summer and get up to 33C on hot days. Then we turn the lights off, lift the lids and blow fans across the surface to cool them off. If necessary we also put frozen pads in as well.

We are really keen on something like styrofoam under the tanks here because we get lots of earthquakes so we like to think the foam helps absorb the extra movement and stop stress fractures. It also helps stop heat loss. I sometimes line the back of my tanks with it as well. A 50% water change won't hurt the fish. If you don't want to change that much, siphon it into a bucket or container then pour it back in when you have finished.

I don't keep carbon in my filters as I think it is an unnecessary added expense as you have to keep replacing it regularly. Depending on your filter type, replace the carbon with extra filter wool or ceramic noodles. It can be interesting at the start to do water tests just before, then just after, you do the water changes. This will give you an idea of whether you are doing the water changes soon enough, or possibly able to leave them a little longer (like your 2nd rather than every week). An ammonia reading of 0 is good!

No they will be fine. I am sure they thought all their Christmas's had come at once though :lol: Are you leaving the light on all day or just long enough to feed them? Fish like a nice day/night cycle. If you have live plants you need 10 - 12 hours of light per day.

Like humans, fish like a varied diet. The tropical flakes are enough but boring. That is why you feed other stuff once or twice a week as a 'treat'. Try also spirulina flakes. Do you have access to any live foods?

Damn! Can't come then You had better all behave yourselves!!

Hi and welcome. Pinkies? Are they freshwater or marine fish?

I'm a bit worried about the bit at the bottom. Is it the poor fish's brain? :lol:

I didn't think it was that cold yet! Sorry to hear it Joze. How many were in there?

When you get your picture taken with a flash does it hurt your eyes? Most of my fish don't seem to notice, or react, to the flash. The lights should be on when you are feeding as this is a good time to check your fish for illness, damage etc. You also need to note if any seem off their food or are missing out because of bullying or faster fish. Only feed as much as the fish can eat in 5 minutes and remove any leftover food as this will pollute the tank. Some people feed a little after lights off if they have nocturnal fishes.

Shouldn't cause problems. We have bought all sorts from Jaycar with no problems but not a transformer specifically. Thanks for the correction chim. I was at work and didn't notice the , instead of the .

22nd suits me better as I will be in Wgtn on the 15th.

She wants to make sure he will still respect her in the morning wok :lol:

She doesn't want to appear too easy wok

Lights can be difficult because of the power required. If they are just fluorescents, you would be better off buying new ones. Dick Smith have 1,000VA for $398.00. The others they have are very small. JayCar have a 500W for $219.00 and a 1,000W for $339.00. They have smaller ones as well. www,jarcar.co.nz

Gorgeous as usual conaquavict

Weekend afternoons would be good for me to give us time to drive down and back in one day. I can't make it the weekend after Mothers Day though as we are attending the fish dinner in Wgtn with the North Island contingent (and staying at pies' house to admire his tank again).

You certainly don't have to be in NZ to belong here. We have people from all over the world, just the majority of us are NZers. A lot of products and fish are not available here so having our own site where we can talk to others from NZ is a bonus.

Depending on time and date I would be interested - just to meet people since I don't have marines. We only have a garden centre here selling basic freshwater fishes, no lfs at all. We travel to ChCh to get fish or sometimes Nelson but bigger range in ChCh. I am sure anyone is welcome to attend this, no matter where you come from aquagold.

You had no trouble until you moved did you? I wonder if it is the water supply where you are, or more likely something in the pipes. Can you get water from elsewhere? My son lives not far from you and he has no trouble with water changes. He is in Colombo St (not far from Pah Rd) and you could get water from his place and see if the deaths stop.

Perhaps I should attend as a moderator. I am sure I could bash with the best of them :lol:

Find someone to carry them for you or ask the couriers. Some will take live fish.

Looking good. Bet the tank doesn't stay like that though! :lol:

I now have 2 Jebos and am very happy with them.