Caryl

Why thank you Ira Because I am editor for the FNZAS so am responsible for writing and printing the FNZAS Year Book and Aquarium World magazine. The YB has all the information in it. I am the FNZAS's guardian angel :lol:

Am considering getting a 2 metre long tank (by about 500 x 500) and wondering what the best and most economical way is of filtering it? It will house my Mbunas. Not keen on internal filters (and have gone off the external canisters too) and was wondering about a sump which I gather is a smaller tank below where the water is somehow pumped out of the main tank, through the smaller tank (filled with bio balls etc) and back into the main tank. Guess I need some sort of powerful pump for this . Anyone able to recommend a particular pump? I gather you drill holes for the pipes through the glass rather than have them up and over the top edge but aren't sure where the holes are supposed to go. I could also keep the limestone rocks in one end of the sump instead of the main tank to keep the pH up (don't like white rocks). Do I have to have sand on the bottom at all? The fish are... Labidochromis caeruleus Copadichromis borleyi Stigmatochromis modestus Aulonocara jacobfreibergi Julidochromis marlieri (an honorary Malawian) I figured maintenance would be easier with a bare tank base and I could paint the underside a sand colour instead. Am thinking of using polystyrene to fashion caves rather than use real rocks. There are some good sites showing how to do this. No worries about falling rocks and dug out sand if I don't use any. Any suggestions? Bet this is the last time Grant asks me what I want for my birthday :lol:

It isn't quite what I said but close enough

You do have one but it is very small unfortunately. It is called the Canterbury Aquarium and Pond Society and they meet on the 3rd Wed of the month, 7.30pm at the Sydenham Community Centre. They only have 8 members and it would be good if all you ChCh members signed up and got their enthusiasm up and running again!

The squeeky wheel gets the oil :lol:

I fed mine live food occasionally.

You have a medically certifiable case of MTS - Multiple Tank Syndrome :lol: It is easily treated by buying as many tanks as possible. Try pointing out to your partner that at least she knows where you are and you are staying home more often. Of course, if she actually wants you out of the house more you might have to consider building a fishroom at the bottom of the garden :lol: How old is your daughter? Fish keeping is a great way to teach a child responsibility and is useful for older children as it provides lots of ideas for doing great Science Fair projects. A very educational hobby and well worth encouraging. If a tank is set up correctly and balanced, filtration is not needed. Someone I know who has bred fish for over 60 years always told me he never used filtration. May I suggest you remove the paua shells? Your pH is a tad too high 7.0 - 7.5 would be better but fish get used to different levels and if yours were trying to spawn they can't be too upset I love the dwarf neon rainbows and have them myself. They look rather plain at first glance then you notice how they catch the light - beautiful! I am sure Janey will look forward to hearing from you. The Kapi-Mana club is very active and social at the moment and members appear to have a lot of fun.

The scheeli are good to start with Chris. If I can breed them anyone can :lol:

I know of 2 but I do not have their permission to pass on their details to non FNZAS members. Hopefully they will see your question and reply

Looking forward to it FT

Looking good Chris. I love bromeliads. You are going to have to watch the cleanliness of the water.

Dragged him (her?) in? We couldn't get him out! :lol: I actually met him and catfish_dude in there before seeing their posts here. There were 16 of us in there last night - standing room only and we broke the most online at once record! :lol:

ditto from me too :lol:

Welcome to the fishroom. Good talking to you in chat too

Stirs the kaltwasser of course. What do you think? :lol: (I was wondering the same thing )

What is that white rock on the left? Maybe limestone? If so, it will raise the pH. That is what I use in my African tank.

You will have to join the Ashburton Fish nuts Doc! I am visiting goldie in Ashburton this Sunday too. By the way - welcome to the fishroom :lol:

We're doing that too Chris :lol: I have never used products like Cycle, don't see the point in spending money on unnecessary products.

Well dark, if you'd asked me which vallis plants were banned I could have told you that :lol: Mind you, you wouldn't have found that site would you? Ain't learnin' a wonnerful thing?

Hi Binkles and welcome. Someone with your sense of humour should cope well in this place :lol: Is there something unlucky about being named "6"?

I think I know the birchir you saw at Redwoods and can understand your desire for one! :lol: It attracted my attention too but I have no intention of buying one.

If you don't have chlorine in your tap water (and Blenheim doesn't either) then there is no point in adding chlorine remover. I add absolutely nothing to my tank, apart from water (and not counting fish food ).

MAF have a web site - easy to look it up. Can't remember the address off hand though, will have to search. MAF isn't called MAF though anymore I don't think

I have heard about both these theories but don't know how accurate they are. I do know reptiles' sex is determined by temperature.

Hmm isn't the English language wonderful? :lol: