jude

Ira, how big will those pearl gouramies get? Steve mentioned that the parents were huge. Just asking because I am finally getting closer to being able to buy some off you. Cheers Jude

I agree about the angels and the golden barbs. Female Siamese Fighters are pretty too but I'm not sure how well they mix with other fish. Don't know anything about silver sharks. Cheers Jude

Another cory question. Are albino cory's blind? One of my friends says they must be because all albinos are blind but I wonder if that also applies to fish. Cheers Jude (who is now imagining everyone rushing out to test their cory's eyesight .... :lol:

I can't get it out a door or a window, would have to go too far

Does anyone use a python siphon? Are they any good? I am considering getting one to avoid having to make a hole in my floor and putting in a drainpipe. I refuse to carry buckets for the rest of my life :lol: Cheers Jude

I upload my photos to frogprints and they send the printed ones back - its quick and convenient and you don't have to leave the house. I also use digitalmax online, they are good too.

Ordered it today. Thanks for the growing hints, Rob. They will be useful Cheers Jude

Thanks Warren, I will do that

Oh no, I don't want to be exposed. At least, not without sunblock ......... :lol:

Does anyone have some African Fern (Bolbitis) they are willing to send me, or do they know where I could get some? I've been trying to find some for ages. I'd also really like some red sword plants - I think echinodorus has several varieties that are red or reddish. I'm happy to pay for these if somebody has some to spare Cheers Jude

I don't name mine but grandson's fish were Ed, Ed, and Eddie. Unfortunately Ed and Ed died from an overdose of salt and vinegar but have been replaced by Wayne. I think I am going to give him a pair of breeding guppies and test his memory skills :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thanks everyone. I have been using the plant index and also tropica and pauls aquaria but sometimes the pictures just look so similar ......... and I have 'old lady' eyesight ........ :lol: :lol: I'm gradually getting them all worked out though and am grateful for the help Cheers Jude

Hi Andrew Andrew, don't worry about not knowing what you are talking about - I do that all the time. Its just important to sound like you know :lol: :lol: :lol: - just kidding. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I thought, like Andrew, that you wouldn't lose much flow but I guess time will tell. As far as stocking the tank goes, I'm not sure yet. I will be doing it very slowly because I want to get the plants established first. And I intend to beef up the filtration later as its needed. This is really just a starting point and I can use the 204's on other tanks later. I have to keep the initial costs down as much as possible but can add other stuff as I go ............. I hope!!!! Cheers Jude

Can anyone id these plants for me? All except the ones in pots are stem plants that I keep pruning and planting. I would love to know the names so I can find out how big they grow and where to plant em! Some I was told the name of and have forgotten and some I never knew If the photos here are too small you can see bigger ones at http://photobucket.com/albums/v474/judeNZ/ One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine

Thanks Ira - did you have any luck today?

http://www.sydneycichlid.com/diy/diyyeast.html This is the one I am using. I haven't attempted to control the amount of co2 and I don't know how to measure it so I am just keeping a very close eye on the fish. I'm hoping the oxygen bubbles will counteract the co2 as far as the fish are concerned.

sigh ........... its all so complex isn't it. Still, I can at least enjoy it while it lasts .......... and if I can't make it do it again I will know I managed it once .......... if you can follow that awkward sentence

Although I think part of the success could be the gravel that Roger gave me - and he has heaps still to give away if you want some. Its from his tanks so its well aged. Despite the fact that I washed and washed it, it was still pretty dirty when put in the tank ............... heaps of fertiliser perhaps?

I don't know either. Would like to think I just have green (wet?) thumbs but I doubt that's it. Perhaps its the amount of light out on the deck. The proof of the pudding will be whether I can repeat the success when they all come into the inside tank ............ LOL

I don't know either - haven't done this before ........ LOL I could make a whirlpool - that would be an interesting effect! Just thought it would make sense to return the water to tank as far away as possible or the filter would be sucking in the clean water rather than the dirty stuff. :lol: :lol:

Thanks everyone. I know the 204's might not be big enough forever but at least they will get me started. I like Ira's idea of an airpump and airstones - although I would have to balance that against getting the plants growing well. I should be able to beef up the filtration once the budget recovers from the initial expenditure and as the tank gets more fish in it. I plan to be patient this time and only add them slowly :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cool, cause its very pretty

I'm growing plants in a spare tank. It has a fine gravel substrate which I have found impossible to vacuum because it blocks everything I try to use. Because it is heavily planted and has about the right amount of fish for the tank's size, I haven't worried about it and I do regular water changes. I've been adding chelated iron (tiny amounts) for the past 2 weeks or so. I added a better light yesterday and started a coke bottle C02 injector. Just before I added these two things I noticed tiny bubbles coming up from the centre of a plant and today there are heaps of them all over the tank. Tiny bubbles mostly although sometimes a group of larger ones shoots to the surface. Some plant's leaves are covered in bubbles. I've peered into the tank for ages and I'm almost certain the bubbles are coming from the plants, not the gravel - but I'm not 100% sure. So, is this good? Is it a sign the plants are growing and respiring and giving off oxygen or is it perhaps something to do with the gravel never being vacuuumed?

Its the ribbed stuff

I have purchased 2 fluval 204's for the L shaped tank. They were on special and it states they are for tanks up to 200L. As the tank has been downsized slightly, it will only hold 400 litres. 404's are supposed to be for tanks up to 400L so having two of them seemed like overkill. I figure I can always beef up the filtration later but right now I just need enough filtration to get started - and I will lightly stock at first. The latest question is - the hoses supplied will be too short to put them where I want them. I had thought of having both intake tubes at the centre of the L and returning the water to the tank at both ends. Can you get hosing to extend these? Is there a maximum length before efficiency is lost? Cheers