Caryl

Thanks for all your replies. I am now having a good think as to the way I want to do it and will let you all know what I end up with Love the fish there clotha. Had to keep reminding myself I was supposed to be looking at the T bar and plumbing, not the fish :lol:

I particularly like your "Get involved" statement Bruce. So true so true

16 or still at college or younger.

Depends on which club you join. Our club membership is $20 per family, $15 senior and $10 for a junior member. For that you get a monthly club newsletter (colour) 4 Aquarium World magazines, a Year Book (listing all affiliated members plus lots more) and affiliation to the FNZAS which gives you a discount card which may be used at selected retailers.

That's good to hear Mark and I will keep an eye out for the cheque

When fish are not well kriber they hold their fins close to their body and this is what is meant by clamping. I wonder NC if your babies have grown too big for their tank while you are away and the ammonia levels have risen too much.

Paddy, if you look at the home page under Clubs, you will find a list of all affiliated clubs and contact details for each.

Husband Grant just pointed out that Marlborough is, in effect, doing what Andrew suggests. We now have 11 members who live elsewhere (one is actually in Texas USA) as full members, not 'affiliates'. This is almost half our membership! Although they cannot attend meetings they do get club newsletters (we email the majority so postage cost is low) full of helpful information, and the Aquarium World. It also gives them the FNZAS discount card. Goldie is right, many take a lot without giving in return and it is always a few who do the work while others sit back. The only time we hear from them is if they don't like what is being done, or isn't being done. This happens everywhere at both club and national levels in all sorts of clubs and organisations. I would like to see things stay as they are since asking people to pay a small club fee is not a lot to ask for what they get in return. As affiliates, this suggests a lower fee and fees are so low now it is ridiculous. Now, if I could just get all these members to write an article for the magazine my job would be a LOT easier! :lol:

There may not be any more molly hunts as they are selling the area they live in.

You have an odd idea of clubs paddy_whack! An idea worth discussion Andrew. I will have to have a think about it and weigh up the pros and cons before agreeing or disagreeing.

Mine of course! :lol: Andrew is right, this is the official FNZAS site so we try to encourage people to join an affiliated club with the aim of helping promote good fish keeping. Our Homepage tells you all about us. I myself have had a lot of help from the FNZAS. As Blenheim does not have any fish shops, we are limited to what we can get and have nowhere to go for good information. The FNZAS has been invaluable to our club over the years. Those fortunate to live in a larger area with a choice of lfs are very lucky indeed. I think everyone should join a club. Not only can you help others but they may also help you. Being able to attend the FNZAS conferences has been an added bonus . We have made a lot of new friends, gained a lot of knowledge and have helped many others.

Hi DubbieBoy and welcome. First off I suggest you join the Dunedin Aquarium and Pond Society. They will probably have lots of plants etc to offer along with help and advice re the local scene. Their secretary is Colin, in Mosgiel, phone 489 7270. For further contact details check out our Homepage under "Clubs". A full contact list is there. http://paul.aaquaria.com is an excellent site and he also sells plants on TradeMe. Very knowledgeable and based in Feilding. Is also a member of this site.

No I can't post them up to you Chris! :lol:

Never taken any notice as I have always jammed them into a crack in the wood or anchored them with a stone so don't know at what point the roots took over but would imagine 2 - 3 months. I wonder if it makes a difference what you are attaching it too as well?

What is the pH? Corys like about 6.5 - 7.0.

Hmm, lots of ideas to think about thanks. Our main concern with sumps is accidental overflows if the pump fails or power goes off. We would have room above (with a little rearranging of book shelves) or below but not beside. Through the wall is not an option.

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