Caryl

That fish survey is not just FNZAS members either. People were asked to report if they had seen these fish anywhere in NZ, not if they bred them. It was partially an attempt to get an idea of what fish are actually in the country despite the MAF restrictions. Rob's link takes you to the breeding site I was looking at.

I should have said one end attaches to the tap and the other end hangs in the tank. Our tap is one of those single outlet ones so I can have warm water going back into the tank. We don't have chlorine added here so don't have a problem with that.

Hi klatoo and welcome. Makes you wonder if you had moved to NZ earlier you might have got an aquarium years ago! I don't understand these 'if my wife will let me' type statements. In our house it is me who wants the tanks but my husband doesn't have any objections - except he doesn't want any in the bedroom.

The syphon python does more than just suck the water out. It attaches to the tank and not only can you take water out, but you can use it to add water as well - no lifting heavy buckets around.

You should just have faith!! :lol:

What class do they come under (M, P etc). I went to the breeding site and it lists the fish by species. Once there it tells you who bred them but I can't find any kuhlis

There's a simple answer to that Warren. Stop knocking on the glass!!

I seem to remember getting a similar slime on my heaters and stuff once a few years ago but don't think I knew what it was and I don't remember it affecting the fish. If you set the tank up new - including new water, I suspect your poor fish have been burnt by high ammonia levels as the tank did not go through a nitrogen cycle. What you should have done was at least half filled it with water out of your other tanks (although with the amount of tanks you already have you could probably fill it totally) then topped it with fresh water. If you use a filter which has media in it (canisters, box filters which use sponges, filter wool or Siporax etc) seed it with a bit of media from one of your other filters.

I run a Shark filter sitting just high enough that it agitates the top of the water without making a lot of splashing noises (annoying to listen to in the middle of the night). This increases the water surface area, which is good for the fish, and gives the fish a current to play in. Of course, if you have fishes which do not like such currents, you would have the filter lower down and the outflow aimed at the back of the tank so it would bounce off and slow the current rather than aimed into the middle of the tank. As Goldie mentioned, the dial on the top also enables you to increase or decrease the force of the water flow.

Ira - obviously some people are biger suckers than others! :lol: Jadie I got my python when I was in Hamilton last but have seen them elsewhere. As far as I know they are called Syphon Pythons.

Mine cost around $99. They certainly are available in NZ.

Hi Jadie. Your problem is probably because the tank had not properly cycled and you now have an ammonia spike. Get those test kits as soon as possible and get some readings for us so we will know better what to suggest next.

Hi there kriber and welcome. Another Christchurcher here on the board? Why don't you all form a club, or join the existing one?

Do you have any idea what species the fry is?

I know not to throw all the greeblies out. The stuff that impedes my filter's water flow is the leaves and rubbish in the end of the uplift. I never get such a massive buildup inside the sponges, trays etc to have an effect. Can't say I like the sound of the Mattenfilter (from an aesthetic point of view) but haven't had a look at the link. As an aside, I have never believed in using all these antibacterial soaps, sponges etc in the home. It is my belief a child should get dirty (up to a point of course) so they can slowly build up a certain immunity to basic bacteria. I read somewhere recently where a scientist reckons we are not as healthy (ie resistant to germs) as our ancestors because of our penchant (throw in a little French to counteract the German ) for cleaning. Those who know me know I do not clean if I can help it as I have better things to do with my time than slave away at housework! My mother always remembers the neighbours who lived on eother side of her house when she was a child. The ones on one side were not alowed to play outside, were kept away from other children whenever possible and constantly being cleaned - they were always sick. The kids on the other side where always outside and playing in the dirt and were as rarely ill. Not that it has anything to do with bacteria in aquarium filters but it is a related subject!

The registering of spawnings is for FNZAS members only. The idea was to encourage members to try fish breeding and to let others know what species were being bred. Encouraging breeding is very important when many species are now banned imports. If you go to this forum's homepage (click on the "fnzas.org is here" at the top of the page) you will find out all about the FNZAS and what it has to offer.

I think you mean drought, not draught. We are heading into one here too - not the whole country though. Our region has regular droughts but this one has started early. Perhaps you could email the German site and ask (in your non-technical German) if there is a translation somewhere.

I love your word - cloggage. I rinse the sponges but felt a quick rinse of the Siporax was in order but perhaps I will not bother. Most of the gunk gets trapped in the filter wool and sponges so you are right, not much gets into the ring things. I vaguely remember the underarm incident as they played it endlessly on TV. Not being a cricket follower I didn't care whether his actions were 'cricket' or not I just wished they would shut up about it! I have never been out of the country myself but my husband was a regular overseas traveller before I met him. He was in Darwin just after cyclone Tracy hit and said the place was unbelievable. I would like to visit the cooler areas of Aussie one day and enjoyed watching Troy Dann's TV programme (he is easy on the eye but would be a lot better if he kept his mouth shut. His sister does not have his terrible accent. Not as bad as Steve Irwin's though). He obviously loves his country and his enthusiasm makes you want to pack a bag and head for the airport to see it for yourself. My uncle lives in Canberra and became an Australian citizen many years ago.

Goldie said 4 weeks, John, in the post immediately before Warren's reply to her. It does get confusing sometimes doesn't it? Keeps us on our toes (or should that be fins?

I actually put in carylnz and it came up with 6 sites - replies to posts in various forums plus a couple of articles. Why it picked some posts and not others I have no idea. Mind you, why it picked any posts at all is beyond me! Big brother obviously hasn't got enough to do!

That was an interesting experience Bill! I put my name in and came up with sites too :-? Don't whether this is good or not!!

I know they say you shouldn't rinse the stuff in tap water but I figure since it is the same water I put in the tank during a water change it can't do any harm. We don't have chlorine in our water.

Congratulations! I don't think you ever stop getting excited when a fish spawns. He can't register them Goldie as I don't think he is an FNZAS member

Possibly would make a difference. What thickness glass?

I rinse mine in warm tap water