Caryl

Marlborough will definitely have at least 1 van load attending. We had a ball last time!!!

Fins crossed for you this time fins

Granite and slate are fine to use. If you ever have a rock you are unsure of, put it in a container and pour a little vinegar on it. If it fizzes - don't use it. Of course, if you have Africans and want alkaline water, use limestone rocks.

Thanks for that link doc. I have printed it off to re-read later. Very interesting.

Depends what you set it up with. A bare 4 x 2 x 2 tank cost me $80 but I have heard of others getting them for less (and more). The type of stand will affect the cost too with solid wooden ones being more expensive than metal. There are a lot of factors and I guess it boils down to how much you are willing to pay.

Can't help you about the video BG but nice pics - specially the plec.

ANDREW!! Where are you? SOmeone wants to join the NZKA!

Oh no! It is so hard when a partner doesn't share your enthusiasm for something. I am lucky both Grant and I like fish. Tell her it is better to have you home looking after the fish than out with the boys or at the pub :lol: . Or does she want you out? :lol: :lol:

I suggest you join the NZKA. Which ones do you have? I seem to remember you actually have some already.

We had a great time too and I think it helped we were together for a week rather than a weekend as usual. Gave everyone more time to catch up with friends and make new ones. It was good to be able to meet suemack after having talked to her in here and on the phone but never having met face to face.

Sarah the one of the parrots on the footy field is yours.

Welcome to the fishroom bandit.

I scrape any algae off the glass then let it settle before I shove the siphon as deeply as I can into the gravel and systematically move across the tank, starting in the front and making my way to the back. By the time I have covered the whole tank I have removed about 60 litres from a 4ft tank.

We buy fish from ChCh and drive home with them - a 4 hour minimum trip. Never had a problem. A cooler bag as hand luggage and they will be fine. I have also flown (in a plane - before someone makes a smart comment) carrying axolotls in an icecream container.

My tanks are lucky to get a water change once every 2 or 3 months.

Heat shouldn't be a problem, especially in bigger tanks. Have a blanket or duvet handy to throw over the tank to keep the heat in. If the temp drops slowly it won't be a problem and I doubt it gets that cold up your way anyway BG. When the power comes back on the temp will slowly rise again. The filters are the problem as the bacteria in them start to die quite quickly. Get some battery operated pumps or a UPS as discussed in other threads here.

Bristlenoses will eat anything but are mainly veggie eatres. The bottom dweller pellets, spirulina and cooked veg will be eaten. Cooked, shelled peas are a favourite. Also try lettuce (hold it down with a rock) cucumber and zuchini. Plants need 10 - 12 hours of light per day. Personally I never use plant fertilisers so I will leave that question to someone who does.

Well done. Breeding the fish is often easy - raising the fry to adulthood is the hard part.

Yes I have, that's where I have seen the photo myself, but not had the time to go through them. Knowing the cover colour will speed things up as well as Aug 79

Of course only dechlorinate if you actually have chlorine in the water.

I have carried fish in hand luggage (better if you don't tell them you have them as sometimes they decide not to let you take them) in one of those foldable hot/cold 6 pack carry bags. No problem. Just make sure you have 1/4 water to 3/4 air and not too many fish per bag. Double bag and pack with newspaper to keep them from falling over if necessary. If you are really worried you can fill a bottle with hot water and wrap it in newspaper or cloth to use as a heat pad but it should not be necessary on such a short trip. Of course if you are not actually travelling with the fish it might be more difficult.

I wonder if it is the right photo cos Marty said Virginia wasn't in it. You have obviously found the photo I was thinking of Alan but perhaps it is not the same one Marty originally asked about. Send us a copy Marty!

Hi and welcome. The marine section is where you ned to ask your questions and the guys there will be a big help.

Fins crossed for you and the discus.

If you have a marine tank, I suggest you post this in the marine section. The reefers there will be great help. Welcome to the fishroom by the way.