Sandy

I was just looking at these on TradeMe and watched a video of them and my thoughts were that surely the changing of colours would upset the fish. Does anyone have any experience with underwater lighting and is there any benefit other than just the way it makes the tank look. I dont think I want the range of colours that these lights come with, I just want a white one and a blue one to be used in the late afternoon/evening when I dont have the main lights on (Aqua One 850 with built in overhead lights) so I can still watch the fish while relaxing over dinner etc.

Cool, thanks, will put it away unless needed then.

Hi guys Ive just got myself a 2nd hand tank off TradeMe, well, havnt actually picked it up yet but will be next weekend, and it has a UV filter with it. My question is, do I need to use this and in what circumstances would I need to use it. thanks

Cool thanks guys. I have a nice piece of driftwood with some java fern growing on it and will look at another piece as well just to be sure. Im getting quite excited about the options I have now that Im getting to understand a bit more about fish keeping.

Hi Ruby, would this be an ongoing request?? I have always loved the clown loaches but because of the size they grow to Ive never really entertained the idea of having them. Just the thought that they would outgrow my tank and then I would have to either get a bigger tank, which is not really an option, or find homes for them, which could be difficult. If I knew that there was someone who wanted them when they got bigger then I might consider getting a couple and "grow" them for you just so I can have the pleasure of having them around for a little while.

im looking at the aqua one 820 which is 155 litres or maybe the next size up, the 215 litre one, depends on where I end up moving and what I can fit but definately at least the 155 litres. Was wanting 6 albino cories and either one or two of the golden bristlenoses depending on whether they are loners or like a friend. I will have a few pieces of driftwood in there and probably a cave of some description to break up territories.

Ive been wanting to get some albino corydoras once I get a bigger tank sorted but Ive just seen a mates golden bristlenose and it was gorgeous. My concern is that if I got both the bristlenose and cories that they would end up competing for food at the same level of the tank. Obviously the bristlenose will also eat algae (or so Im told) and not just rely on the leftovers but Im guessing if I had both there would need to be some serious thought to what else to give them both. I would be throwing in some algae wafers and a weekly feed of corgette or something like that but I would hate to think that one is being neglected because I have both in there.

Hhhhmmm, tempting Adrienne. I will see how the auctions go on TradeMe, there are a couple of 850's for sale at the moment. Ive just seen a friends 980 and it looks great but I may not have the room for the bigger one. Is your one on TradeMe?

Thanks for that, will try and figure it out. So with just 2 honey gouramis should they be a male and female or two of either the males or females. I dont want to get into breeding but I dont want 2 males if there will be aggression.

I was having a look at the aqua one 850 which is an even better option as far as stocking levels for the fish i want. I did have 4 otos but 3 have died over the last 6 months so will add some more when I get the new tank sorted. The one guy I have left seems happy enough but definately want to get him some mates. I think if I go up in numbers with the otos then the 850 is a better option over the 620 as i really dont like going over 80% stocking levels. Just my preference as Im still a newbie and like the fish to have plenty of space to move around. I really dont know which filter to put into the aqadvisor for the aqua one all in one tanks cause they are built in filters. They usually only tell you how many litres/hr they dont seem to say what their capacity is unless im missing something. I do have a spare aqua one 102F which I can add to the tank as well just to give it some oomph.

Hi everyone, Im after an Aqua One AR850 if anyone has one they want to sell. Ive been looking at different sizes, shapes and makes for a while and have decided I really like the Aqua One all in one units. The AR620 is just a bit too small and the AR980 is just a bit too big so the AR850 looks like a good fit for the fish Im wanting to get and still be manageable. Either send me a message or leave a comment here and I will get back to you. Oh and if anyone has something of a similiar size thats not an aqua one then Im open to have a look at that too. Thanks.

Sorry if the title is misleading but I was wondering how much difference there is when the volume is made up more from the height of the tank rather than the length. The reason I ask is that i was putting in different sized tanks into aqadvisor and the stocking rate didnt change much between an 85 litre tank and a 125 litre tank when the difference between the two tanks was the height. I am wanting to have 10 neons, 2 dwarf honey gouramis, 6 albino corys and 3 otos and Im trying to figure out what tank I need. I put in some false sizes just as a test and I was surprised at the similiar stocking rates between the 85 and the 125. I then put in the actual measurements for the aqua one AR620T which is 130 litres and the stocking rate sat at 85% but when I put in the measurements for the Juwel Rio 125 which is 125 ltres the stocking rate was 69% In both cases I reduced the height because of the enclosed lid area until i reached the correct volume of water so the aqua one ended up being 55h and the juwel rio was 43h. So, the aqua one seems to get its volume from the height where as the juwel rio gets its volume from the length. Makes sense really, I get that part, but Im mostly interested in the stocking rates being so different due to measurements rather than volume. Does this show me that with the fish I am wanting I am better off with a longer tank rather than the higher one?

Oops, got the name wrong, its a Sobo. Here are the specs they have on the TradeMe ad - do these look ok? Ive just asked them if there are spare parts available so will see what they say: Brand: Sobo. (The Top Quality) Model: T-80F Patent Rights Reserved ISO 9001: 2008 Features * Novel and attractive shape. * Waterproof, with inner silent water pump and upper filter, improving water quality, good for helpful germs to grow, to produce a serial biological chain. * It will provide your aquatic pets and plants with a natural and healthy environment, beautify your family home with ease. * Come with Filter & Light * These classic design aquariums are an instant attraction for any venue *Our stunning curved front glass ensures unrivalled views of your underwater world. *Unique waterproof light tubes and holder for maximum illumination especially suitable for aquatic plants and all fish. Specification: Volume: 135 Litres Voltage: 220-240V Attractive aluminum cover which will not overheat the lighting tubes. Lighting: Energy Saving Lamp 20W x 2 (Blue & White) Top Filter System: 25W bio filtration system for unrivalled water quality. F. Max: 1500L/H BODY SIZE: 800*380*580MM; 30kg CABINET SIZE: 800*380*660MM; 23.5kg ***Come with the filter light***

Thanks peoples, I do like the all in ones, more for looks than anything else. I had a large 270l tank which ive just sold as it was just too big for me to handle on my own. Im using my spare ecostyle 47 with a few neons and 3 otos but really want to get them a bigger tank. Looking at around 100ltrs which i think is more manageable for me. Im not overly convinced that the aqua one tanks trickle filters are all that good but I have no idea and I guess they wouldnt be putting them into their tanks if they werent any good. Its working well enough on my ecostyle and im managing to keep all the levels good but still want to go up in size. The fluval is 95ltrs but again, i have no idea about their filter systems so dont know what their quality is like. Ive just seen a new Soho, anybody know anything about these, they are from India by the looks of things. I guess, at the end of the day if the filters are useless I can just set up the tank with something decent.

Probably a dumb question cause really Im guessing it comes down to personal taste but is one brand better than another. I quite like the aqua ones but have seen a fluval accent 95 for sale on Trade Me but is one better than the other? Is it the filter systems that would make one a better choice or is it more how you set it up?

Yeap, totally agree - Ive already ditched the carbon cartridges and put some bio balls and noodles on the bottom with sponges and wool over the top. They have been a bit subdued but this morning they are starting to race around the tank which is a good sign that they are getting used to their new environment. The otos seem happy too as I transferred over a nice piece of driftwood with lots of algae on it while the tank gets a chance to build up some of its own. I may still look at the next size up and keep this as a quarantine tank, just to give them a bit more room but will see how they go. Would love some albino corys but wont even think about it with this smaller tank.

Hi everyone, Ive set up my ecostyle47 (38L) and its good to go. Have cycled with stuff taken from my 270L tank so all is good. Ive transferred over 3 otos and 10 neons. Is this too much. I know I am probably close to the edge on this although aqadvisor says Im ok. Any ideas, maybe drop back on neons?? Thanks

Hi all, Simple question I know but thought i would check just in case - Im looking at moving my tank to another room and if i keep all the media and most of the water will I need to recycle or just keep an eye on my levels for any spikes??

Hi everyone I have a long fin zebra danio that seems to be swimming with its front fins out. None of my other danios do this, their front fins are tucked beside them. This particular danio was getting pulverised last week by the others, mainly the leopard danios who were ganging up on it and giving it hell. It had a great hiding spot under a log and in between the roots of some of my plants. I have been observing them as much as possible and suddenly realised that this zebra danio was out and about swimming around with some of the newer zebras that I purchased about 10 days ago. The only thing different is his/her front fins and a slightly odd swimming style. Im guessing this maybe because it was under constant attack and some damage was done. It seems quite happy now and the attack behaviour of the other danios has stopped. It was quite upsetting to watch and I couldnt get it out to put it in another tank but fortunately all seems well now. My levels were all fine during this attack behaviour although i did lose a few fish during those few weeks that it was happening.

Hi Devrens I have 9 golden mountain minnows but they are in my tropical tank. I got them all from Hollywood Fish Farm, some of them about 6 weeks ago and 5 more just this week. Unfortunately my danios are being right little terrors and chasing the minnows all over the place to the point where one died yesterday and after I examined it, it looked like its mouth was a bit battered, probably been chased into something. I could rehome the danios but thats just putting my problems onto someone else. They tend to leave my neons alone so Im looking at just getting heaps more of them instead. If you are interested they are yours. Im living on Waiheke so it would mean a trip on the ferry at Half Moon Bay but I would be happy to come get you from the ferry this end and you can help me get them out of the tank. Totally up to you if you can bothered with the extra hassle.

Im feeding them with the hikari micro pellets. Im just wondering if it was chased by some of the danios, who are starting to annoy me because they are being quite disruptive to the whole tank. Their pack like mentality is quite brutal and ive seen them chase and chase and bash their mates (one in particular) over the last week or so. They occasionally chase the minnows and neons so possibly the minnow collided with something in the tank and damaged its jaw (do fish have jaws??) It was all over pretty quickly. I have been watching them closely since I noticed the bullying going on so I picked up that the minnow was in trouble early on but was unable to help it.

I had it swimming in a glass jar with some of the tank water and i shone a torch at it but couldnt see anything. Its definately gone to fish heaven now. Not sure what went wrong. I tested everything this morning and all is good with the water. I usually do about 20% water change each week which is due again on monday but all my levels are normal. Tank is not overstocked, plenty of air and filtration. Maybe I added too many at one go as I just stuck 15 new fish in this week although they were all quite small but having said that, if my levels are still good and I havnt had an ammonia spike surely that wouldnt be the problem. My danios are being bullies, they are ganging up on one of their mates but he has a good hide out and seems to be resting up in there until the next attack comes.

oh, its dead. I scooped it out about 10 minutes ago and tried to take a photo and while i was trying to upload it here i looked over and it was upside down. No, wait, it just flicked its tail so I guess there is still some life left but not much cause its upside down again. If it was a cat or a dog I would take it to the vet but I dont know what to do to help this little guy.

Hi all, Ive just put some new golden cloud mountain minnows in my tank a few days ago and have just noticed one floating in the current with its mouth stuck open. It swims a bit and then lets itself get carried back down the tank. I already have 5 minnows that have been in the tank for some time and ive just added 5 more. I didnt quarantine then as I got them from Hollywood Fish Farm and just assumed they would be good to go. Any ideas what the problem could be as the other fish are starting to take notice and bump it around a bit. I have a spare tank I could put it in but it wont be cycled and I cant bare to watch it die if there is something i can do to help it. Tank is 270 litres, one aquis 1000 filter at one end and an aqua 102F (75L) at the other, 2 air stones, one at each end. Currently have 11 neons, 10 minnows, 10 danios and 4 otos thanks

Have taken it apart, removed the bags of carbon and put it back together again. Seems to have done the job so far. I havnt heard any air coming out for almost 24 hrs so heres hoping all is good. Im thinking the carbon was way past its useable date and may have been what was causing the dirt coming thru the filter. Im happy, fish are happy, lets see how long it lasts this time. (it went 24hrs last week so Im half expecting it to start playing up again). If it does I will look into getting new taps, hoses and seals. Im not sure how old the filter is and I was given it a few months back. Im sure it wont hurt if I give it some new fittings so then, at least, I will know when any maintenance is due.