AMAZONIAN

Hi All. "TDS" stands for "Total Dissolved Solids". This is a new method of testing the quality of water, but is mainly European so far. It works on the principle that "PURE WATER" has zero solids or impurities, which means that it is a very poor conductor of electricity, thereby giving you a reading of zero. As it is an electrical measure, the results are in "MICROSIEMENS". The measure is a lot more accurate: a bit like inches and millimeters, you get a finer reading.

Hi All and Alan The quiet mice came with the house when I bought it. :lol: Electromagnetic compressors are not as cheap as vibrator pumps but are 90% more efficient, last a lot longer and are a lot QUIETER. The smallest costs around $50.00 up to the largest unit I use which was just over $300.00, but I consider it money well spent. I have had to replace the diaphram set in my middle sized unit after 4 years running, and that cost me $3.75; $2.96 cheaper than a diaphram for a vibrator pump.

Hi All. A waste of tank space. 160 litres for Krib Fry, I'd be syphoning them out of the tank and rearing them in an 18 X 9 X 9 tank until they were 3 months old. That's inches by the way. I'm toooooooo old to get into metric tank sizes. :lol:

Hi All I have and regularly use three different "ELECTRONIC" pH and TDS Pen Type meters. The results are great and immediate with accuracy of plus or minus 1 degree. I am negotiating to import some at present and they will sell for about $65 each for pH Testing and $80 for TDS Testing.

Hi All As Warren says ypu can connect the two 18 watt tubes in series and use "S2" Starters. The starter goes across the tube (from one pin on one end to the same side pin on the other end) The left over pin on one end goes to the other tube and the other to the "L" contact on the ballast. Good luck. Electrical Regn. I2887

Hi All "You pays your money and you takes your chances". It's a good quote and it's true. I actually swear by "Electromagnetic Compressors", and there are those that swear at them. :lol: But I am running three of these units, the largest being 200 litres an hour and the smallest at 50 litres an hour for my Brine Shrimp Hatchery, and not a one of them makes as much noise as a mouse farting.

I am regretful of my late responce but it was unavoidable; as was the passing of a true friend I have known for many years. In my mind Alan will always be revered as "THE FATHER of KILLIES"" in New Zealand. A stalwart to the hobby and the NZKA as well who have lost their greatest asset. My thoughts and condolences go out to Rose at this sad time for us all and hope that there are brighter days coming as the grey clouds up to the horizon lift.

Hi All. I've just learn't theres a new CRITTER KINGDOM STORE on Ferry Road. I think not, cause I did all the ChCh shops last week and didnt see a C K on Ferry Road. Somebody made a BooBoo. :oops:

Hi All. I agree with Caryl that you can put these fish outside over the summer; WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOLLIES. Thes fish should be kept at a minimum of 26 degrees Centigrade. But good luck with the others.

Hi All The next monthly meeting of the club is on 26th October at 7:30pm. 2 ALDING AVENUE.....STOKE. The topic and competition for the evening is "TETRA'S"; their care, maintenance and breeding. Visiting FNZAS members welcome. Please PM me if you are coming from out of town and I will give directions.

Hi All anybody got or know where any "NUPHAR SAGGITIFOLIUM" (Cape Fear Spatterdock) can be bought, borrowed or stolen from. I'd love to get a rhizome and propagate it. :roll:

Hi All Thanks for that bit of info Pegasus. These are in fact true "Altum's". 8) They are the offspring of a pair of GENUINE WILD CAUGHT fish that I bought. Unfortunately I have lost both of those fish after having them breed on only two occasions. The first time they ate the eggs and the second I removed them and the male killed the female. He met his maker during my recent shifting and that is why when I had the oppirtrunity to buy these guys back I jumped at the chance albeit for "MEGABUCKS".

Hi All Believe me this fish is Stunning and a "SUPER FISH". Without being over the top, this fish is a show champion in any class. In all my years in the hobby I have never seen a speciman of any species as good.

I hope you shave your legs when you wear them HanS. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hi All Not that brilliant an effort on my part but a few pics of the "Altum's" I just got back. This is a pic of my Superb Altum. And this is "Mrs GRUMPY" with some of her Fry. :roll:

Hi All These did not come from Phil's, and I know the original Parents didn't either. One could say these "ARE THE REAL THING", and those who did see the originals will attest to the quality of the fish. Read earlier posts re my "Original Pair" and also some piccies. My avatar is a group of my Angel's, including the Altum. I'm going to try and post some pix shortly.

Hi all Rogan I have got 4 nice fish plus one I had kept. I'll try and post some piccies. Hopefully there should be no deformities with the offspring, but only time will tell.

Hi All. You pays your money. You takes your chances. Tooooooooooooo damned expensive if you ask me, and I've been in the hobby for 48 years. It's this type of trading that pushes up shop prices and it does no credit to the hobby and doesnt say too much for those selling the stuff. :evil:

Hi All, Well "THE OLD WAY IS SOMETIMES THE BEST" :oops: Every time I go to CHCH I call into "NORTH END SAND AND SHINGLE" just 200 meters past the Pines. They sell what is called "BLINDING SAND" and it's the best I have found so far for plant propagation and also as a Tank substrate. Good Luck.

Hi All :lol: I have great pleasure in announcing to all fellow hobbyists that I have purchased back 4 "Altum" Angels that I had bred from my original "WILD CAUGHT" pair. I won't go into the price I paid to get them back, suffice to say you could probably buy about 25 small clown loaches at your local LFS for the same money. The money will be recovered as I already have acertained a pair that are making the required gestures to each other prior to spawning. The other two will be sorted to hopefully be introduced to my "SUPER" young Altum from the same spawning. His fins are 6 inches from top to bottom and he's only a juvenile, so I have great hopes for him. :roll: LONG LIVE THE "ALTUM'S"

Hi All They used to be known a long time (40+years) ago as "BLACKAMOOR'S" owing to the very black rear half of the fish. I breed them often, both the "Common" and "Long Finned" and dont find then nasty at all.

Slipped up

Hi All, :lol: The algaes in question are of four distinct genera; I offer some data for your reference and it is translated from a German book. The genera are:........Glenodinium, Gymnodinium,Peridinium, and the worst offender of all Ceratium. :evil: QUOTE from the Book; When occurring in quantity they may cause high fish mortality. Storage materials are starches as well as fatty oils. Use the information as you will.

Hi All. It can also be oil from one of several species of "ALGAE"; believe it or not. There is one species that is particularly bad for producing an oil which of course floats on the surface of the tank. Check it out, just to be sure. Good luck.

Hi All. You might be interested to know that in some countries were the importers used to get our fish from have now banned the catching of fish in the wild for export. This does not apply to a lot of countries but it does apply to some. Some of the species we used to be able to get many years ago are now on the "CITES" list.