jude

And before anyone asks, it was in my big community tank, about 300 litres, and I have no idea what the water parameters are. Everything else in the tank looks fine including the pearl and three spot gouramies. Cheers again Jude

I had to put my big blue gourami out of its misery today. I had noticed it was swimming funny, kinda on its side and pointing downwards for a few days and last night I realised that I hadn't seen it come out to be fed for a while. This morning I found it floating on its side on the top of the water - still alive but looking miserable. So I did the evil deed Any ideas what could have been wrong with it? At first I thought it was swim bladder but I'm not sure that floating on its side fits with that. Cheers Jude

I couldn't go but everyone looked happy when I picked Caryl and Grant up this morning. Made me wish I'd been able to attend. Special thanks to Hands for the plant he sent me. It's safely planted and looks stunning. And thanks to Caserole, Blueand Kim and Spiders Web for their hospitality - I enjoyed looking at their tanks. Cheers Jude

Welcome, I hope you enjoy it here. How do you like our weather so far? :lol: :lol: :lol: Cheers Jude

I don't know about hrv but with dvs you would still need heating - so that would have to be added to the running costs. We have a heater in the dvs which bumps the costs up a lot, but also means we don't have to have other heating on as often although it is still needed. I'd like a heat pump and would then run the dvs without the heater switched on. Cheers Jude

My house is three bedroom. DVS initially wanted to put in one vent but I insisted on two so we could shut off one end of the house and it would still have a vent. I've had it for over 6 years and wouldn't be without it. I used to have so much condensation the water would run off the sills and onto the carpet, I haven't had any since it was installed. So whether you choose DVS or HRV, I am sure you will be pleased with the result. Cheers Jude

Hi and welcome - like Alan, I'd recommend you join the local club. I've always been glad I joined our one. That and these forums will give you heaps of support and advice Cheers Jude

Perhaps they've just decided on their territories. I've got an angel fish that has always been at one corner of the tank and I've just noticed he's moved to the opposite corner. He does nothing but hang round there all day but he's the first out when I feed them. There probably are 'micro-climates' in the tank - with slightly different temps, current etc. so you could be right, that might be the reason. I've always thought it would be interesting to have a very long tank (20ft) and have the water going in at both ends at different temps. Maybe 22 at one end and 28 at the other. Hopefully they would mix in the middle to be about 25ish. It would be fascinating to see which fish hung out in the different temps. Cheers Jude

Hi Caper Just letting you know that Caryl's away for several days. Didn't want you worrying if she didn't reply Cheers Jude

Welcome. It sounds like you've been enjoying the forums for some time which is great. I'd love to be able to access the Christchurch fish shops, I've heard all about them. Cheers Jude

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Welcome Alice, ask as many questions as you like. If nobody knows the answer, somebody will make one up :lol: :lol: :lol: - Just kidding! Cheers Jude

Do the leaves have a reddish tinge underneath? If they do it might be giant baby tears - bacopa something. I've never seen it grow like that though. If I'm right about what it is, its a pretty plant. Just prune it above where it branches now and plant the prunings. It should grow nice and bushy. Cheers Jude

Hi Margaret Welcome to the site. Its great that you've been in touch with Bill and had help. He is one of the guru's here. He's always a great source of advice and knowledge. The group here is great. It's supportive and there's always someone who knows the answers to your questions. I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I do. Cheers Jude

Hi and welcome skippy. Its a great site and I'm sure you'll enjoy it Cheers Jude

Wok, you are sooooooo wise :lol: :lol: :lol:

I don't think Blenheim gets enough rain to supply Caryl's lake :lol: :lol: :lol:

LOL Alan Just explain it to me. The loaches don't care and the snails are only interested in one thing. I am sure Wok will be the nice, quiet, polite boy he always is Jude

I think that would be a great idea - and a constant supply of fresh water too. What a clever Grant Jude

Can anyone explain this? I hated the snails in my community tank so much that I bought a pile of loaches to deal with them. Now I have a tank devoted to growing snails just to keep the loaches happy ................... :oops: :oops: :oops: Jude

or you can put the wafers in at lights out because some of those fish are nocturnal

Another good point Keri - she is pretty good but she loves to feed them so that might be the problem Cheers Jude

LOL - good thought. I will check for lemming snails tomorrow

Ummmm I don't think there are any dead fish but I will take everything out tomorrow to check- my receptionist counts them every morning - she's fascinated by the tank. When I arrive at work I get a report on how many there are and if they are doing anything unusual. There is only a very thin layer of sand and no black areas that I can remember but I will have another good look and I will take everything out to see if I can find a body somewhere. There's no ornaments apart from a small piece of driftwood with java fern on it and it smells ok. I took all the rocks out about a week ago so the snails couldn't hide from the loaches ...... :lol: The fish look ok at this stage but there's definitely something wrong in there Thanks everyone Jude

Hard to describe - it smells bad/rotten