CodKing

I've been in and out a couple of times since then, was searching something for a friend and found it I'm now looking at my dirty and failing planted tropical tank sitting on my desk and thinking about the natives route again So much cooler, and less work.

Well, looks like I missed out on this one!

Legend, thanks for the info

Anyone done the hunting and figured out who does the cheapest Juwel tubes in NZ? They all seem to be much them same from what I can see.

:thup: Classic

Where's the thumbs up button!?

Aren't all Juwel tubes all odd lengths anyway? I'm struggling to find a tube option that isn't their own brand for my Vision 180. As far as I can see, your only real options are whatever they have.

I'd say don't touch it. Looks like whatever combo you've got is working just fine!

I would like to donate a jar large enough to house the fish, he doesn't look comfortable.

I'd say head inland just north or the Waimak. Plenty of accessible streams up there with great populations. Pretty fish too. If you wait a couple more months you'll see 10 times the numbers and a lot more variety.

Wow. That shot of the beach, I've never seen the shore so clear of wood! It's amazing how quickly that shoreline can change.

Mid-winter progress... Habanero plant

Thanks all. I guess there's a limit to what the glass can support as far as weight. There is plenty of substrate between them and the base so it would be fairly spread I would think. No problems yet!

Cheers, might try and get some when the next lot go in. Only 4 fish in there atm.

Yeah isn't it. I found it quite lacking in the corner. Need to get the spray bar thing going that I have planned to get a bit more even flow going on. That should fix it.

Since the diatom bloom has died back over the last couple of weeks the plants are pearling for most of the day. Not a huge amount but it's looking real good. From what I can see and have been reading, this thing would explode if I got CO2 into it. Dosing 2.5ml Flourish comp every 3 -4 days. pH reged with Seachem buffers @ 6.4 - .6 Big fat heater in the view is just for Winter. Maybe one day I'll get around to hiding it. Have used expanding foam on the back and polystyrene on the sides and top. Having in a cold garage is proving a little expensive. Insulation has made a huge difference in temp stability. Almost got something planned for covering the front. So wish it wasn't bow front :facepalm:

Good work. I vote for the first bit of wood. What about embedding it in the hill you've got? The long bit, can it stand on end and look like a bit of a 'stump'?

Oh to have another Auckland winter! I would grow millions!

ditto :sml1: I like it.

Still keen as mustard if any of this stuff is available. That looks like a wicked haul of plants by-the-way!

That's the way! I've read of people putting them under a couple of power saver 8500K lights and producing fruit!? I'll be testing this out towards the end of June. Just have to keep that temp above 17C and they do okay. Harder to grow varieties like Habanero/Scotch Bonet etc I've found to be hopeless at early starts and indoor growth. Although, I have seen a heatpad and a http://www.ledgrowlightsoutlet.com/90-w-ufo-led-grow-lights.html combine to make a pretty good launch-pad for them.

I'f you're not into blow your face off hot curries then the chillie you use won't make too much difference. Until you can handle the hotter ones the flavour gets quite lost in all the heat. I've made curries with jalapenos and they've been all good. I'm sure some cooks would slap me for doing so! Just make sure you fry up all your spices, cumin, paprika, garam masla etc until aromatic if you are making it from scratch. I usually do it in butter but you have to be careful not to burn the butter itself. If you want to try the real deal make some of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghee Remember, although we think of curries as an Indian thing, a lot of them come from or have been developed in England so plain old cream and butter are usually used. All this talk is making me hungry!

If you're real keen, try some more tolerant varieties like below http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/Vegetables/Vegetable+Groups/Peppers+%26+Chillies/Chilli+Peppers/Chilli+Asian+Fire+F1-8066.html http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/Vegetables/Vegetable+Groups/Peppers+%26+Chillies/Chilli+Peppers/Chilli+Pepper+Cayenne+Long+Thin-5265.html

Last year I grew about 20 plants in a raised bed, I got about 2 rubbish bags full late January It can be done! Chillies are very hard to grow in pots outside. They are also very susceptible to aphids and disease when they are in pots. Even a chillie plant in a bad spot will do much better in the ground than a pot in a good spot. I'm looking at a Serrano out my window right now, even in this temp, it's totally green and has tons of fruit on it. It was a late bloomer as I had to repot it quite a bit after I would have liked. I think it is in plain old Tui Vege mix. Mushroom compost is really good for Jalapenos especially I've found. Chillies also like things slightly acidic.

Is that with Hungarian Chillies Ira? Chillies can be temperamental little blighters. Lots of things can affect their development. If you can tell me who/what/when/where/how you are growing them I might be able to help a little.