Caryl

I would probably keep them if it was legal to do so as they are quite a pretty fish but am not worried about them being banned. I am quite happy for them to remain banned here. So Peety are you saying you went and caught yours from one of the local waterways? I know they are a problem up north.

Koi are banned in NZ koiboy - and for good reason. They totally destroy their habitat and wipe out other fish species, especially the natives. Idiots let them loose into our waterways where they create havoc.

Dwarf gouramis are fine with plants and will look beautiful. Grolux encourage algae growth and I would not use one. We use daylight or bright white.

Where did you get them from? Do you know what the fine is if you are caught with them?

I have the 404 but don't know how it compares to the 204. The spraybar doesnt have fittings, it fits snugly onto the connecting pipe. I think most brands use the same size. Take the pipe with you when you go to buy the other bits. Some people put sponge filters on the end of the uplifts. I am going to do this as I am sick of the uplift clogging with plant debris. Sorry I can't offer more help as I have never measured the pipes.

I hatch my brine shrimp in one of those plastic 1kg peanut butter containers. It has wire twisted round the neck which allows it to hang over the top of the main tank with the wire hooked over the glass to keep it in place, and in the water, thus keeping it a good temperature.

A book I have found helpful is Handbook of Fish Diseases by Dieter Untergasser. It is a TFH publication (TS-123)

So how come you are admitting to having a banned species? :-?

Excellent points Pegasus. You must also remember, we have a major problem with bacteria becoming immune to antibiotics through overuse, or misuse. I am pleased to hear vets are not handing them out readily, although I understand your frustration Peety. Sometimes a chemist will be willing to give you a very small amount of drug, if you tell him what you need it for and how you are going to use it. Overseas they have a problem with people buying over-the-counter animal remedies to use on themselves.

I certainly don't - despite owning a computer company. I like to keep my tanks low tech.

Don't forget to factor in your monthly running costs like power.

Aqua I think the other fish would have been a bumblebee gobie. Definitely a no-no mate for a betta. They also prefer brackish water. Dumotel I don't think the betta will mind being on his own. I am surprised yours does as much as actually swim - especially in and out of an ornament! :lol: I am sure they are perfectly happy with their own company.

These fish stay at the surface and just hang. Pretty to look at but boring to watch :lol: Hope you haven't any faster fish in there with him, like barbs and tetras, as they will find his flowing fins irresistible.

I have 3 thermometers on my main tank. The digital reads 24.5, the mercury reads 25 and the stick-on is a bit hard to tell but may be 28

I would assume it did not harm fishes since so many water supplies have it added. Perhaps it strengthens their little bones (and teeth for those that have them). I object to it being added to the water supply on principle.

I can definitely say I have never seen one like that John.

Silicone seal the house and fill with water - great idea!! :lol: I assume you only provide snorkels to those visitors you like? Welcome to the board DuMotel and happy posting. Hope those fires weren't too near you.

Thanks for the suggestions people. Am soaking in baking soda and water at the moment (the filter bits I mean).

As I also have an Eheim, it will be interesting to see how it lasts - I haven't had it long enough to judge yet. Unfortunately, not only was everything black and yukky but it stank too. Any idea of the safest way to get the lingering smell out of the plastic and Siporax media? It's not bad at the moment but I think it will get worse once the lid is back on. Usually I would used baking soda or vinegar to remove smells. Would either of these be ok if I rinsed everything thoroughly? Would the Siporax absorb either of them?

No, it appears the plastic has gone brittle with age. It was manufactured April 99.

My Fluval 404 has snapped the impeller off the magnetic bit. Didn't notice it wasn't running. Talk about stink when we removed the lid! Luckily I am filter-sitting at the moment so have another member's filter hanging off my tank while he strips his tank. The tnak is also understocked so all are still well.

I don't know about that particular pump but SICCE (Pronounced Sitchee I believe - Italian) have been around for many years so must have something going for them. I used to have one of their internal canisters and it worked excellently, until I loaned it to someone who managed to burn the motor out due to neglect. Have a look at the filters you are considering. How solid does the plastic feel? Is it easy to pull apart? How cheap, or easy to get, are replacement bits? Some of the cheaper brands are made out of thinner plastic and it is easy to break the clips and other fiddly bits. I think Masterpet are the agents for SICCE in NZ but don't quote me on that.

I did, but we can't talk about it here as it is off topic

Not having bought a new tank for years I will check with local glaziers tomorrow and see what the going rate is for tanks these days.

Have you checked tank prices direct from the glazier? I get all my tanks there as they have a lot less mark-up than pet shops. A lot of Americans who keep African set-ups put a layer of polystyrene inside on the bottom of the tank to protect the base from falling rocks. I have never heard of anything toxic leaching from polystyrene. I use it to keep my spawning mops floating in the killie tank.