Caryl

"This is the way many a 2nd tank is acquired... " and the 3rd, and the 4th, and...

Did you just have the plants sitting in pots?

The wisteria will be Hygrophila difformis. I am not too good in the litre department. Is 100L a standard 2ft x 1ft x 1ft tank? (I guess I should say 60cm x 30cm x 30cm). If so, isn't a 404 too much filtration? Don't know whether it would have anything to do with your problems if it is though My first thought was something having died under a undergravel filter but since you don't have one - or substrate - that stuffs up that idea! What have you got in the filter chambers?

The plant will be Hygrophila polysperma I think you mean. This is a good fast growing plant to put into a newly setup tank. I can't find the following information anywhere so forgive me if I am asking you to repeat anything but what size is the tank and what (if any) filtration is being used?

Hi Nix I sent an article to Cees (webmaster) on setting up a tropical aquarium. A very simple basic guide. He promises to add it to the articles section as soon as possible (another reminder here Cees! ). Get dark gravel. The fish feel more secure and their colours show up more. Light gravel washes the colour out of them. White gravel is for marines. You should not have to condition your water with anything. If chlorine is added to the water in your area, letting it stand overnight is enough as the chlorine will dissipate and be gone by morning. Check out the clubs list (click on the fnzas.org is here logo at the top of the page) for the nearest club to you. If you join a club first, they will help you set up your aquarium right the first time (and probably help you with a few fish or plants too). Most clubs also have their own libraries so you can read up on aquarium requirements. Good luck. Remember, don't rush the process, or things will go wrong.

Oh Rob, you were told to check first because you couldn't change it!! Men!

I know you asked Warren Bill but I have a photo of the label below his tank It says; 2400L x 820W x 650H (mm) Volume: 1200L

You would think Javacus fernicus would be simpler eh?

Warren's tank can be seen here in the album called Warren's Tank http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/carylnz Not very good photos unfortunately as it was early morning and the sun was shining brightly. BTW Pegasus, my original java question had nothing to do with the java I now have for sale. It was given to me recently and yes, I still have a bit left. Will I send it to you wrapped in lots of bubblewrap? :lol:

And another thread drifts off topic :lol: Get off my java fern you tank stocking debaters! As for stocking levels - if it works for you, whether heavy or light, then good.

Hi and welcom to the NZ Fishroom. I am sure you will find a lot of fellow cory lovers here. I like the pandas myself.

Good point Rob. No Dutch auctions please Bruce!!

Depending on available seats, we could pick up others if required. We often do this Ira when heading for conference or exec meetings. Sometimes, when we don't want to take a vehicle on the ferry, we ask someone in Wgtn to pick us up and provide further transport. It is all part of fish keepers helping fellow fish keepers. We also have great fishy conversations on the way and learn lots! If it snows on the way are you willing to shovel? :lol:

Marlborough had a pot luck lunch today and decided the fish display and auction would be worth a club trip. We could stay a night or 2 and visit the aquarium as many would like to see it after having heard us talk about it and show the photos from conference. If we have a spare seat we could pick you up on the way through Ira and drop you off on the way home. Members are already thinking about what they could contribute to the auction.

TFH July '96 mentions them too. They used to be Cichlasoma argentea. Can't say I have ever heard of them in NZ though.

Marlborough could probably send some stuff - plants certainly. Freight across the ditch has gone up though. We have a pot luck lunch tomorrow so I will ask members then.

Esmay has just read that and wants to know if you are blond as well? :lol: Her fish are fine. They have all survived. Nitrites and nitrates etc seem to be fine (negligible) so hubby is looking after her fish while she is up here staying with me. 8)

I see you are online at the moment Derek. Paula is here with me (she's from the USA) and she has a discus tank running at 30 degrees. What plants, if any, will tolerate this temperature or should she lower it?

I have often seen peppered cats (they are a corydoras) available in Christchurch Bigfish.

Is that possible? :lol: Since I don't know you personally please take that as the joke it was meant to be. I bet a lot of us have done even more stupid things. Just call it a Senior Moment.

Leopardfish are beautiful in a cold tank. People breed rosy barbs in outdoor ponds over summer then bring them inside for the winter months.

The Waikato Aquarium Club goes on annual molly hunts but I can't remember where they go :-? Anyone here been on one of their hunts and can tell us the location?

As well as making sure the rocks are very clean and non porous, as Fee suggested, it also helps to make sure there is a reasonable amount of contact area between the two rocks. If You are trying to join very thin areas (sharp points and edges), it does not work so good.

Thanks for the link Derek. I am sure those who thought CO2 was too expensive to try will now give this inexpensive method a go.

You obviously have a VERY green thumb David. Your tanks are beautiful!