Likoma

Just add water

Thanks for all the great feedback. I spent a fair amount of time in and around the Lake. I wish my memory was better. I used my time in Kaikoura to really study the way boulders, roots and gravel interact in a natural way. Yes please. I was way to skint to own an underwater camera in my younger days. My main aim of this scape was to create many separate territories in a small area. Caves that have only one entrance. While diving I noticed how tiny fish can fend off much larger opponents when ensconced in a non swim-though cave. Breaking up line of sight will go a long way to achieve this. IE a cave on either side of the large boulders.

We have been commissioned to setup and stock a Rift Lake tank for a customer. The tank measures 200 x 70 x 70 and will be filtered with a 400lt sump and an FX5. I was given free reign as to stocking and the aquascape. I wasn't able to visit the Malawian Lake bottom for inspiration. I did get to visit the Kaikoura coastline of the South Island of New Zealand and found plenty of inspiration. I spent a long time collecting rocks that were of the same type and varying sizes. We then measured out the dimensions of the aquarium on the ground and placed the rocks into formations within boundaries. I would spend some time considering each placement until it just worked. Once we were happy with design we started the process of placing the rocks into the aquarium. Not easy considering the waiting of two of the boulders (32kg). The setup process is still going on. I will be connecting the plumbing for the sump in the next few days. I am very excited about it all. Thanks for looking.

I corrected the dilution every time I did a water change. which was every 4 days.

I second that, He is a true plant guru. Has helped me out heaps.

As the the title says I will visiting Auckland in the future, what shops are recommended for Tropical fish?

Im just a happy guy, Kash. You can see there aren't even any eggs at that stage. Regarding the fish.We were so lucky to have gotten them. Its hilarious watching them trying to unsuccessfully defend the eggs from the voracious neons. I love nature

1 tbs for 38ltr. I used a higher rating that others have spoken about.

As mentioned in another post we had some discus arrive that were emaciated and had white stringy faeces. Our conclusion was that it was internal flagellates of some sort. Normally these exist within the intestine of many fish. When immunity levels of fish are impacted due to poor water conditions occur of high levels of stress are experienced. The flagellates increase in number and damage the internal organs if the fish. This is similar to bloat in African cichlids and very common for discus. Normally I would reach for Metro(available from vet). A little bit of reading and I decide to raise the temperature to 33c. Which increased the metabolism of the fish and allowed the immunity of the fish to bounce back. I added Epsom salts to the aquarium to aid in digestion( natural laxative). Keep this up fro 7-10 days. Once they were feeding I used food that had been soaked in 3%solution of Epsom salts. Additional Reading http://www.aceforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=52488 This has occurred in the last 2 weeks. Last night they laid a log full of eggs. These are my findings and I am happy with the results we have experienced. I am certainly no advocating the non use of antibiotics. Just that there are other options. Cheers

Before you ask its purely aquarist paraphernalia. No extra heating. Stop the flow of air and hold above the fry tank and open up the in-line valve to allow sunken shrimp to feed your fishes.

The Fern Wall http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=128497497308839 is an absolute success, so much so that this is what we woke up to. A bunch of eggs and two doting parents. Woop woop

Very nice mate. I enjoy seeing such a dense planting. I never realised how fickle a planted aquarium can be. You must have the green fingers ey. Good work

So its the new year and progress has slowly been ticking along on the "Fern Wall' and were super stoked with the results. All plants are growing well except for the Glossostigma which is my nemesis. I don't know if its lack of light or a nutrient problem. Even bits that I thought were doing well have recently died off. All other plants are pearling nicely. The Bolbitis is coming away nicely and the Java fern is beginning to attach to the wall. The two Discus have settled in nicely. When they arrived they had been suffering from internal flagellates(white stringy faeces) and it has taken them some time to bounce back. One of them has only just started feeding again. My contact has just forwarded the instructions for the Citric acid system flick me a pm and Ill email you with them. Hope you enjoyed the update

Fantastic looking aquarium. I love the collection of fish. I am sure it was hard working through all the choices.

It seems being new to planted aquarium I have had a bit of a blow out. The planting medium for the glossostigma is made up of Fluorite and nothing else. It has been mentioned to me that over time due to the high levels of exposure, the fluorite will leach nutrients into the water column. I take it that this could fuel an algae take over. I am thinking of covering the fluorite with fine gravel, trying not to disturb the plants too much. Has anyone had experience with this type of situation. Would the reward to prevent excessive nutrients getting into the water ,out way damaging new plants that are still finding their feet. Thanking you in advance for your help. Regarding the smoke and mirrors.Co2 instructions to come. Still waiting on someone.

Wicked idea. You wont be disappointed. A high percentage of customers have after trialling it purchased more Poret for other applications. Duct tape mate. New sizes, thicknesses,colours and reduced prices are available at http://www.purelyporet.co.nz. Dont hesitate to hit me up with any queries.

I would work with the 20ppi medium density for that application. What is the volume of the compartment. If using sheets of foam I try to seperate them to achieve multiple microbial layers. This would be the best way for small volume areas. a cm or 2 gap is sufficient. I hope this helps.

On the money mate. Citric acid and baking soda is the ingredients needed.

The guy to speak is lotofish on this forum. Ill check with him to see if I can put up a downloadable info sheet on my site. http://www.poret-aquarium-filter.co.nz/technical.php

Just completed "The Fern Wall' aquascape video. We are super happy with the results. A big thank you to Valray for all the help. Aquarium-60cm x 45cm x 45cm. 2x 20wT8 Power-Glo, Hamburg Matten Filter Plant list: Narrow leaf java fern, java fern, java moss, anubia nana, glossostigma, african fern.Stock list: Neon Tetras Enjoy http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=128 ... =2&theater I will let you know if we ever find out.

A combination of java ferns. Broad leaf to narrow moving from left to right.

So the 1st stage in our new planted aquarium is underway. The aquascaping sans water. The filter will a Hamburg Matten filter that will eventually be covered with plants. Foreground will be a carpet of glossostigma, java moss and african fern. Enjoy http://youtu.be/mDJAkOiRLYA

This is my take on shipping fish. Not saying that it`s foolproof but it has been very successful for me. Heat pads are preferable with NZ conditions. http://www.poret-aquarium-filter.co.nz/shipping-fish.php

I have used a jig saw with a fine toothed blade. The jig saw will need "pressure control" trigger. the slower the cut the better. Good luck it can be tedious. Always do a test run, on an off cut or other.

Thank you all very much for the support. It helps so much when you`re glummed out by reality. She is on the mend. She is able to eat food that is a porridge like consistency. Anything else causes her to regurgitate it up. Even a blade of grass brings on a reaction within 5 minutes. What makes it worse is that she is truly a gannet type dog. Product of an orphanage society n all. I am looking for a muzzle that she can wear while not supervised will be the one. Silence of the Lambs?