the-obstacle

Welcome! if you can put your location into your profile it'll help with advice in the future.

...same. Want to swap? :lol: Actually, I don't think even that would cut it.

Have had friends go through the same thing. The kid is/was awesome before and after the diagnosis, it just gave his mum some better coping mechanisms and understanding of why he reacted/acted the way he did. Not to downplay it but it is definitely not the end of the world. In other news - the nano is going sump-less again.

you can get sea salt from the supermarket in rock form that doesn't have anti-caking agents in it. Ingredients: sea salt. that's it.

So I got the email regarding this today and noticed it's in August not July so I'm not away. Long story short - I'm an idiot :facepalm: I'm in for setup and breakdown.

Perfect! so Mitre 10 is the way to go then? I'll head out to the mega in Henderson tomorrow then. Cheers edit: just noticed they're stocked at plumbing world grey lynn but it's a trade only store. Might have to see if I can do a walk in cash purchase tomorrow.

Yeah, Paihia for the weekend. Probably shouldn't advertise it on the internet but the parents are moving into our place to look after kids/animals/fish for the weekend. Can't say no to an offer like that.

Yeah, so drilling is all back on. First I have to find somewhere to buy relatively small tank fittings and the appropriate pieces to connect to and from the sump then I can get the right drill bit etc. Any tips on where to look? I've been to all the usual hardware stores and plumbing world in henderson but none of them seem to have proper tank fittings other than 50mm+ water tank fittings which is way over the top. Hoping to be ready to drill / plumb on the weekend then the tank will go into it's permanent position in the lounge and I'll be rocking.

Of all the weekends to have the expo :roll: I can drop off anything of mine you need on our way out of town on the Friday.

Damn! Sorry, it's my wife's birthday and we're going away for the weekend leaving Friday midday and back late Sunday night otherwise I'd be more than keen to do the setup and breakdown. Let me know if there are any fish or plants I can help with.

Are there enough around to get a viable pair? or are the ones left in stock (if any?) sexable?

Bunnings sell stick on led lights for $8 for a set of 3. They're how i see under my house when the tank lights are off.

Looks great! What are the dimensions of the tank?

The only other thing I know that lowers the ph, other than what has been said already, is co2 but that can have it's downsides with fluctuations etc.

Box frame the tank and fill frame with pink batts you reckon? That's quite a good idea and would be easy for an in wall style tank.

pics or it didn't happen :slfg: I'd aim for 10x turnover but be happy if it fell a little short due to head height of pumps etc.

....aaaaaaand they're gone. I blame the parents. :facepalm: Next time there are eggs in a cave they're going to a breeding tank with the female for a few days after hatching then they'll be left to their own devices to grow out.

They had rainbow sharks in HFF mt albert recently I thought... I've certainly seen them around.

If it were me I'd add enough light to give you the look you want and then add plants that fit the look. With low light and low co2 the plants will grow slowly but should have enough going for them to make use of the nitrates available. Don't overdo the lights and you won't have algae problems. Give any root feeders a root ball or 2 which should last a year+ and you're away. I think it's totally doable with the trickle filter.

+1 - I'm in the process of building a 50L fish only marine and it's costly but not too bad. I think if it's something you want to do then go for it. The only advice I can give is - plan EVERYTHING first. Enjoy!

Well, it's not 'needed'...

Yeah, I've got the technique sorted, I'm just wondering whether or not I should or if I'm going too far with what was meant to be an easy setup.

Live ones. :thup: so as not to be the rude guy that makes silly comments with no substance I'll continue - what sort of bulbs are they? How many Watts? Dimensions of the tank you intend to have them over? You've described the colour of the bulbs which will have some impact to the growth levels but not much in fresh water tanks with fresh water plants.

Next question - dare I drill overflow/return holes in the back of this tank? Seems like I might be getting too detailed for what was supposed to be a nice easy project.

thank you very much. I've read a few but this is the best description of how and why. Now to befriend some local reefers that will be kind enough to swap a couple of handfuls of sand with.