Caryl

Now there was a helpful post! Well done Shilo I have used rainwater on occasion but just lined barrels up under the eave of the bird aviary (covered in Decromastic roof tiles) since it didn't have a downpipe. Haven't done it for a while though because a) we pulled down the aviary b) the roof was sprayed with moss killer and we were told not to use the water from it for at least 6 months. c) it is summer - not enough rain

I haven't any lined up yet, that is why we are coming to ChCh. I want yellow labs, Marliers and something blue - maybe peacocks or zebras (but will zebras cross with labs?). Having spare filters on the main tank is a good idea and we all mean to do it but it's usually one of those things that need a "round tuit" :lol:

Had a distressed call late tonight from a fellow club member. Ken had just gone down to the shed to feed the fish in the 6ft tank and discovered it had sprung a leak. Not a lot of water left in it at all. Did I have a big enough tank to put the big fish in? Grabbing some 30 litre barrels they headed back home to save the bit of water left and to catch the fish. The smaller ones they were able to put in a 3ft tank but what to do with 8 large T barbs? Four of them are around 120cm (5"). I had just arranged the rocks in my 4ft ready for the Africans I plan to stock it with. This afternoon I had brought the garden hose in and filled the tank. That water was now sitting at 23C, 73.5F, so I emptied half of it out again (hoses everywhere) and refilled it with half the old water from my already set up tropical 4ft. Luckily I had an AquaClear 500 and an Eheim wet/dry filter which had been seeding on the old tank for a week in preparation for the Africans so these were brought up to the new tank and hooked up. I didn't have a spare thermostat for the under tank heat pad but it is so warm at the moment it won't matter. So far the fish seem to be settling but I will have to keep a close eye on them. Hopefully it is a problem with the silicone and not a crack in the glass somewhere as I need my tank back by next weekend! Looking on the bright side, the tank will be well and truly cycled by then :lol:

Lucky you! It is good when you get such helpful service.

Good idea to have a chat room available Cees. Much appreciated thank you. I second Bill's suggestions.

Why do you want to collect rainwater anyway? It tends to be quite acidic.

Never actually done it but I assume you just slowly raise the water level over a few weeks until it is totally submerged. Has anyone else done this? You might also try cutting a few trailing bits and planting them straight into the tank and see what happens.

Pardon my ignorance but by "chat room' do you mean just typing or can we talk using microphones too?

Babies tears is a common plant grown in aquariums. If you buy one as a houseplant you must slowly acclimatise it to underwater conditions. Easier to buy one which has been cultivated to grow underwater. Peace lilies can be put in an aquarium but they are not a true aquatic plant, they are a marsh plant. They will grow very slowly but tend to die.

We were lucky as when we built our house we were unsure where the fireplace would eventually go so the builder put in extra piles along a couple of the walls. One of them is just where we decided to put the big tank!

The rummys at Organism are $6.95

I saw a Via Aqua 750 for $259.90. The same shop had their Fluval 404 at $419.95. Pays to shop around! I was lucky and was able to get my Fluval trade but am not able to do so any more

I have often used those small fluorescents that fit the ordinary light sockets and they work well. There is another thread somewhere here regarding making hoods for them out of plastic guttering.

ChCh is 4 hours from Blenheim Dennis. Makes for a busy day trip but worth the effort.

I love a school of rummy noses myself. Organism in ChCh had some lovely ones there on Tuesday. I was SO tempted!!

How sealed is the lid? You might find quite a bit of sloshing going on if you fill it too far. If you have at least half the original tank water that will be fine. Take the canister filter home with you on the first trip and hang it off your tank at home until you get the new one home too. I would be inclined to suck as much muck out from the gravel as possible as it may cause problems with bacteria dying off in the move. Someone else may know more about it than me though, I have not moved an UGF.

Thanks for that kriber. Nice to know the top of macka's head is good for something :lol:

Obviously the whales offer cheaper freight costs :lol: All that belly space I guess (or was Jonah a midget?)

I believe there are 2 different 404's on the market. One comes with media and the other is cheaper as media is not included.

You have open organisms on the top of your head!!?? :lol: You can get treatment for it I am sure. Thanks for that Macka. I hope one of the ChCh members can find out definitely for me. Wanna meet up with us at Redwoods?

Can someone in ChCh please find out for me if Organism is open on Saturdays? Thanks

Grant and I were looking around fish shops in ChCh yesterday and were amazed at the difference in prices. One shop had 2 Fluval 404s in stock. One was marked at $322.50 and the other was $368.00. Another shop had them for $419.95. All came with media.

The planned Marlborough club trip to ChCh has had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers. Grant and I plan to go by ourselves (good to give the MX5 a run) on Saturday 18th January. If anyone wants to meet up with us we hope to be at Redwood's at lunchtime. We'd love to meet you. We were in ChCh yesterday and went around the bigger shops and were not impressed. The only shop with good looking stock and spotless tanks was Organism. This shop had a wider range of species - not just the 'bread and butter' ones. We went to Redwood's but they are closed until next Monday

I know someone who's got the fishbug BAD!!!! :lol:

Someone in one of the local clubs may have some too. I have kept leopardfish. They are a beautiful fish and easy to look after. Give them a tank of cold water, filtration, feed and there you are - happy, breeding leopardfish