AQUARIUMSUPPLIESNZ

Phoenix44, those are pretty inspirational pics! You definately have the gift for aquascaping. I can see you have used a pressurised CO2 system with multiple filtration systems, I am really impressed.

Done. I have purchased the items.

What a pleasant surprise! I will be ordering this shortly. Appreciate the feedback. I see the regulators are chinese made. Very cheap... I hope there is no end of tank dump issues with these...

Appreciate your responses and I have had a look. Godly3vil! OMG! I have seen that huge tank you have built! I am stuck with a little 350L and the wife will not allow bigger, but you have now inspired me to work on the boss lady in adding a biiig one. Adrienne, would you be able to confirm whether your results achieved are with excel dosing or with the help of a CO2 pressurised system? I have found my glosso and pennywort did not do well in the heat at all. That was mainly due to a rookie error at the time, since then subsequent research have shown these do not like warm temperatures (28+) at all. From what I can work out I face another issue and that is the need for a pressurised CO2 system, as opposed to the continued Excel and Flourish dosing. My results are very good and my plants are flourishing, but I want great results. I am looking at adding a pressurised CO2 system with PH controller. Really love the results achieved with these, but I find the cost for this equipment a little unpallatable in NZ. It appears importing these is a challenge too...

I thought I'd start a topic on plants suitable in a discus aquarium. I have been unable to find anything similar NZ specific... The main purpose is to gain some understanding on members experience with plants in a discus tank. Given the temperatures discus are kept, most plants just melt away in the heat. I have had success with Indian Fern, Amazon sword, anubias barteri, java moss & some others. Would appreciate some feedback on your experience.

I have some indian fern spare, but you will need to pay for the courier costs to yours. Since I am in Auckland I suspect it might be cheaper for you to just buy from your local shop. Let me know your thoughts.

Yip. The actual giant. big fish...big tank.

I have historically tried to obtain both assassin snails and various shrimp (cherry etc), but have been told in no uncertain terms these cannot be imported into NZ and it is illegal to sell these.

My apologies. I should have been a bit more clear regarding the gouramis. only Opaline, Blue,Three Spot and giant gouramis have been known to eat ramshorn.

Your problem appears to be the direct sunlight. This is rocket fuel for Algae of all kinds. Step 1 The cheapest and easiest way for you to fix this problem is to draw the curtains/blinds during the part of day where direct sunlight might hit the tank. Step 2 Take out your ornaments and give them a good scrub - no chemicals - YOU HAVE DONE THIS Step 3 Vacuum your substrate to remove any waste - food for algae Step 4 scrape algae of any surface you see including glass Step 5 Do a substantial water change 50%- reduce the nitrate level in your tank - again food for algae. Once the above is done, you can add fast growing live plants. The reason I say fast growing is because these plants compete for the same nutrients algae does and as a consequence will starve the algae from nutrients. For example Indian fern. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

I have heard of some Boesemani's eating snails, but this is an exception rather than a rule. Your post do not provide enough information different rules apply to different snails. For example loaches (clown, yoyo and dwarf chain), gourami, dwarf rainbow fish, puffer fish are all eager ramshorn snail eaters. The Boesemani has been known to eat these. Should you have thrown in some MTS (Malaysian Trumpet Snails) you are likely not seeing any as they are nocturnal. They are great for Algea and will not eat your plants, but have been known to breed to epidemic proportions. These snails will not fall prey to any Boesemani's since their shells are to hard. Puffer fish and clown loaches will however eat these. cheers