Caryl

Hi and welcome doch. What part of Auckland are you in?

Marlborough had 2 van loads attend the last show Napier held. Well worth the trip people! Thanks to the Hawkes Bay Aquarium Society for organising another, I know a lot of work is involved.

Perhaps she is just trying to look like your avatar? :lol: Sorry I don't know anything about synos and have not had one so can't help with your query.

I would use lots of plants, few fish, no filter. Can't comment on substrates as I have only ever used gravel. If you want filtration there are some very compact internal units available out there. Most have adjustable flow too, or perhaps you could use a sponge filter.

Just did a little research... Hydroton, a.k.a. hydrocorn, are kiln-fired clay pebbles imported from Holland. Their neutral pH and excellent capillary action qualities make them a great hydroponic medium. Preferred by horticulturalists for hydroculture, this product offers many advantages when compared to soil. The medium is clean, odor-free, reusable, and light so as not to crush plants. It offers excellent aeration. Hydrocorn prevents rotting, excess acidity, and soil pests.

Not heard of it either. What is it exactly?

Fins crossed for success Ira.

Hi Dave and welcome. It doesn't take much to get the hobby going again and the tanks multiplying does it? :lol: Perhaps you would like to join us in chat sometime. A group of us are there most evenings from around 9pm.

A nice lot of plants you have there. May I suggest you move the heater further down so it is hidden behind the plants?

Hard to tell but according to my book the male is slimmer and the anal and caudal fins are edged with soft yellow.

My thoughts too Ira :lol: I feel your pain dark! Would have liked to see the pics. Don't suppose you want to pull it all out and start again hmm?

There were several replies that came to mind when I thought of you laughing at your fish's love antics but none were fit to print :lol: Those rams colour up beautifully don't they?

In a place as large as Auckland I don't think you need to worry about 'stealing' members from other clubs. Actually we have a number of people who belong to more than one club anyway. My own club also has Auckland members If you have at least 3 of you keen to give it a go then start from there. If you wait for people to register interest first it might be a long wait. A lot of people don't know about this site (sad but true) so you are only getting a small section from here. I am happy to make up some advertising posters for you (and print them in colour) to put up on local noticeboards, supermarkets, libraries, vets, petshops etc. Decide on a time and place then advertise you are holding a meeting for all people interested in joining a local fish club and see how many turn up.

Good on you hevalump! Any help I can offer from here, feel free to contact me.

The fry will die if you don't. They tend to drop to the bottom of the tank and can't make it if the water is deeper. The male spends all his time keeping the fry in the nest and picking them up from the bottom of the tank and spitting them back into the nest.

It may have been fine up until now but surely the fish have grown since then? Sounds to me like the filter is not good enough to handle the larger particles (plecs produce VERY large particles )

Further down in the Technical threads you will see "Any ideas for alternatives/DIY for Ceramic Noodles?" - read that. It has the information you want.

Some fish will tolerate higher temperatures than others. Just make sure you have plenty of extra aeration going as the warmer the water, the less oxygen. Keep an eye for fish staying close to the surface.

I din't say how much salt because I didn't know Thought someone else might. Discus (and many other fish) go dark, or black, when they are unwell or stressed. Sorry your little one didn't survive mouse.

You better do something about the bad case of white spot though! :lol:

He was advertising Jansens' sale pies. I suggested he put it in the commercial section rather than here as I thought more people would see it there. He edited it here but didn't repost it to the other thread.

Sounds like a fungus infection of the wounds. You can get various treatments for fungus. Also I believe salt is beneficial.

Hmm I am at a loss here. I would not have thought the drop in temperature would have done a lot since it wasn't that big a drop but perhaps it was enough to upset the balance of the tank? How many fish have you got in there?

One of our club members has a home-made corner tank for sale - it holds 500 litres and comes complete with around 80 - 100 Africans. It is ply with a front window.

Someone (pies I think) once suggested a spray bar correctly angled along the bottom of the back wall would direct any crud back out to the front where it could be reached.