Caryl

Where I live I can just aim the garden hose in the tank and turn it on. I don't even match temperatures. The fish love playing in the current. I do not add anything to my tank at all and have never done so.

Welcome. How many fish have you added? Do you understand about cycling a tank?

Phone numbers will be in your Year Book Pol

What sort of pantyhose you ask? Why fishnet ones of course :lol:

It's a matter of luck. They generally are fin nippers but kept in groups of 6 or more tend to keep more to themselves. They love guppy tails and other flowing fins.

Of course, for those of you wanting to share a bed with a pom for the weekend...

I too never use the breeding traps or nets. Just have plenty of fine leaved plants for the fry to hide in.

My fish get mozzie larvae and daphnia I grow in ponds around the yard.

There are quite a few 14 yr old beginners in clubs llama boy. You join a club to get help and learn

Sorry but I can't help you further. I have never kept rams and have standard daylight tubes on my own tanks. I do know when I tried to use the Grolux, the algae took off! I had a long chat to Aaron last time I was there (since TM wasn't there :lol: ), a very nice and helpful guy. TM's parents own the other Critter Kingdom in Blenheim Rd.

What do you mean? That was strictly rumour you can't prove anything! :lol:

Wanna come visit my club Joze? I am sure we could test cinnamon rolls!

You mean you don't go for the AGM alone? :lol: I am really looking forward to this year's conference. It sounds like Mitch and the team have pulled out all the stops. Oh yeah, I am sure the AGM will be interesting too :lol:

Some of the ChCh shops have websites. Redwoods, www.redwoodaquatics.co.nz Petworld, www.petworld.co.nz Animates, www.animates.co.nz TM in here has Critter Kingdom in Stanmore Rd so you could send him a PM. I would also ask at Organism (cnr Ilam and Clyde Rd) 03 351 3001. No competition in the top of the south so prices will be higher. ChCh has the best selection in the country as I have heard a number of North Islanders (including Aucklanders) say they wished they could get the selection they have in ChCh. It is possible someone up north bred the blue rams and sold them to his/her lfs which is why one place has them but no one else seems to. If a tank is deeper than 45cm it stops the light from reaching the bottom of the tank adequately (due to refraction and stuff).

and I, as editor of the Aquarium World, appreciate the effort pies puts into his regular marine articles. They always attract positive comment and interest.

No, they need to write to the FNZAS asking to join. A letter is then sent to all affiliated clubs asking if anyone has objections to this. If there are no objections after 3 months they are affiliated to the FNZAS (on payment of the YB levy and capitation fees of course). I am sure if they want to send observers to conference there would be no objections. They haven't asked to do this though. Mind you, after sitting through the AGM they might change their minds! :lol:

Vallisneria likes a lot of light by the way and so do a number of swords.

It was and he did - a good time was had by all

Enquiries on how to do that have been made Alan

Quite a few plants are adaptable when it comes to temp. You may find some will die off after time though.

Will do so later

pH won't be your biggest problem either, it will be the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates that will give you an idea of what is going on. Did you get test kits for these? The Nitrates and ammonia in particular. Things would have gone well until the toxins built up over time - around the 2 - 3 week level which is why things were OK to start with. Whoever advised a 24 cycle time was gravely mistaken, as you have found. African cichlids in the wild live in a pH of around 8.0 plus. Mine live in 7.0 as that is the pH the breeder bred them in and they have never known any different. They are living and breeding happily at that pH, it is not critical. This also saves me having to try and alter the pH as my tap water is 7.0. I doubt any treatment given the plec would have triggered this off, just coincidence (assuming you followed the instructions). Wait until the tank has stabilised then give us a rundown on what fish you have left and we can check stocking levels then. Good luck! 8)

I don't know a website off hand but find this book very helpful The Rockpool Fishes of New Zealand, Te Ika Aaria O Aotearoa by Chris Paulin and Clive Roberts ISBN 0-908953-01-1

Tim if your son is going to charge you interest I suggest you start charging him for food and lodgings

The school kids would be cheaper and do a better job :lol: