jude

Alan, there is a little bit of shell in the gravel I plan to use in my new tank. I've picked out the biggest bits and I guess what is left would be less than one small piece per ummmmmmmmmmm 4 cups of gravel - it may even be less. Is this going to be ok or should I rethink my plans

I agree - its a big black dot ........... perhaps its a freckle :lol:

I'd thought of a sump but there is only technically challenged me to make it. What are the pros and cons? And how do you make one? :lol:

Thanks Ira Is it possible to get a cannister filter thats big enough for 500L? I think you said a filter should turn over the tanks volume 3-5 times per hour. So that's 1500L-2500L per hour. I have no idea what filters are available or what their capacity is as yet. Plan to visit some pet shops and ask but would be greatful for any input/ideas etc.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy again. I'm really excited. I went to see Peter at Port Nicholson glass and he said he could build me the tank I really wanted - an L shaped one. The tank will be 1500mm along one back wall and 1440 along the other. The longer end (1500) will be 460mm from front to back and the other will be 370mm. It will be 500mm high and the glass is 10mm So now my brain is teeming with technical questions. How much water will it hold, assuming 50mm of airspace at the top? How big should the filter be? Should I have one or two? Should I have more than one outlet and inlet hoses so the water gets taken from both ends of the L? I'm planning on using a cannister filter, what's the best brand? How many heaters? One in each L, or maybe 3 so one could be in the centre too. I think I read that its better to have 2 small ones than one large one in case a large one sticks on and cooks the fish so I was thinking 3 smaller ones might be better. Now all I have to do is decide about the hood. I don't want something heavy looking and I would prefer black. I plan to take my time and do the hood later when I've checked out various options. Oh, and I have to get someone to check my measurements because I am never confident I've got it right. It feels like an early Christmas

cardboard covered with clear duraseal = waterproof :lol:

Get some bristlenoses Phillz. They look like plecos but stay much smaller and are great algae eaters. I love them and want more, more, more! :lol:

Thanks Shae Now I feel like a cheerful murderer ............ LOL

I did that Yesterday I put 2 faded mottled ones in a little bit of water and put it in freezer. Today I got rid of the 3rd one. I added some water on top of the existing neon iceblock, put it in, and then watched. It seemed to go unconscious straight away - no thrashing around and no fin movement ......... so perhaps it is the best way. I feel like a murderer

I agree, I thought it looked like wandering jew or wandering willy. Its known under both names. It can be an attractive pot plant but don't let even the tiniest little bit get near your garden or you'll never get rid of it. Don't know if it would grow under water or not. Might be worth trying because it will grow everywhere else!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Jude

A word of warning Jean ...................... my grandson fed the fish a whole container of fish food and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps :lol: :lol: Cheers Jude

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will get all sorts of help here, I know I have. Don't be in too much of a hurry to add fish - just add a few at first because the tank has to cycle .......... lots of information on that here if you browse through older posts. Cheers Jude

This morning two of my neons had gone pale so I removed them from the tank. This afternoon another one was losing its colour so I guess I am going to have to remove it too. The red band goes blotchy and almost completely disappears and the rest of the fish looks a bit mottled. Apart from that they seem fine and the others look happy. Does this sound like NTD? Can I treat it? If I can't what's the best way to kill them? Don't tell me to chop off their heads or bang them against something hard please - I tried that years ago and just can't do it! Cheers Jude

Welcome, you will get loads of help and advice here. I am still a beginner and I've had heaps of help. If you are going to put fish in the tank, and I understand the temptation, just put in one or two small ones until it has cycled properly. Your fish shop should be able to tell you which ones are tough enough for that. Cheers Jude

Thanks Suphew, I will send a pm. The one with the smaller leaves is probably anubias nana. Cheers Jude

Yes, Caryl said they will be fine together. I moved mine today and they look happier already

A salt and pepper cory perhaps .............. LOL

It ongoing and seems to be getting worse. Both loaches do it and one seems to be worse than the other. Whenever it catches one of the corys grazing on the bottom it goes for it. It doesn't seem to hurt ithem but I suspect the corys might not be getting enough food.

I did small water changes daily when I first set up my (badly overstocked) tank. Because I had an undergravel filter I only vacuumed the gravel every 3rd change because I was worried I would keep cleaning out the good bacteria. The other times I simply bailed water out to reduce the ammonia etc. I didn't have any fish die so it must have worked. Jude

Look at me. I'm being brave enough to move away from the beginner's corner .............. I've just found out that cory's like to school. My two albino corys are being given a hard time by the loaches. Should I put them in the tank with the bronze cory's? Will albinos and bronzes school together? I also think I have peppered cory's in the 3rd tank. Would they school with the others? Cheers Jude

I'm just learning so I don't know if catfish like cold water - and it probably depends on the type anyway. You could add warm water to the big tank to take the chill off. Maybe boil the jug, mix it with some colder water so you don't crack the glass, add chlorine remover if its needed. Once it was warm enough you could put the catfish and heater in. The WCMM don't mind it cold. Cheers Jude

That itch is a dangerous sign. I'd suggest you get help quickly ........ Cheers Judy

Welcome Philz and Wok is right. Its highly contagious and you soon lose complete control over tank numbers. Its fun though. Cheers Jude

Thanks Cees, I will put that on the list of possible plants ) Why are you banging your head on computer? Hitting it with a big stick works far better ......... LOL Cheers Jude

Not sure if this should be here or in the private trade and exchange - sorry if I got it wrong. I would really like to buy some Echinodorus tenelus and some anubias barteri. If anyone is willing to sell me some that would be great. I've tried the shops, they don't know the name of their plants and I find it hard to identify them. Thanks Jude