Alan

The trout may not have killed off any species completely, but they sure have decimated the numbers, as well as the human kind taking out the natural vegetation and pollution. Have you ever had a look into the tailrace at Tokanu and seen the huge schools of smelt suddenly part into a huge circle as a monster trout rises up into their midst. If you have, and I have, then you will realize that the trout are predatators. Oh yes, I do know of a species cleaned out by trout, and then the trout numbers fell out of the bottom. It was goldfish in lake Taupo that fed them for years until they, the goldfish, were wiped out. Alan 104

They aren't hard to catch if you put an inanga on the hook, and that blows your last statement out of the water jason. Alan 104

Do you know a dairy farmer down that way?? Ask if you can go through his compost heap, otherwise known as his effluent outfall for his cowshed. This time of year the area is pretty much a semi solid heap of compost full of tubifex. Good luck. But remember that they have to be kept in runnimg water to clean them out, or else you can risk it if ya game. Alan 104

wadda mean. Trout are the biggest disaster ever added to our waters in NZ. And done and supported by the Govt. Yeah they make the tourist dollars and also those stupid NZers that want to stand around in water cold enough to immobilise them if they fell over, spend heaps too. But what about our own ecology?? Oh !! Almost forgot another brainwave by the govt. of the day, lets put some gambusia in our streams etc. Yeah. Alan 104

I would say that they are refering to their "P" look alikes, the pacu. I know I did, then to clarify my assertion I'd add, "vegetable piranah". The Nat. Aquarium and Kelly Tarltons come under a ZOO permit which makes them similar to a "Q" station, except the public are permitted in. Alan 104

Any wood that isn't growing is in the process of decaying or rotting. Give the piece a water blasting, that'll rip anything that is loose of it. Make sure that you don't blast your foot tho. Alan 104

Depends what lingo you speak gringo. Alan 104

Luke said No drawings sorry, I knew when I was doing it I should have taken pics. DUH !! Self contained is just that. Through the radiator (floor) in pvc piping, to the pump, up to the solar panels, heated, then back to the piping. It could be controled so that as the water flows cold it turns off then as it warms, it obviously turns on. This could be done by solinoid-switches, which I know zip about. If I find that the system does get too hot, I have made provision to extend the pvc piping to other fishromms for heating. The solar panels were ones that I goy yonks ago as something that might come in handy, those that have paid me a visit, realise that I have a lot of come in handies around the place.. The panels are copper pipe system, run in a black enclosed metal case with glass front. They measure about 120mm square and I have provision to use four of them, but I think that would be over kill. Alan 104

Well excuse me for coming in to bat for the solar power. This is definately a great money saver if you are doing a fishroom. In fact it is a terrific money saver. I built a pupose built fish room with 40mm pvc piping thru the concrete floor, through to a circulating pump and to the solar panels. All self contained, the water reaches a very high temperature and of course heats the concrete of the floor, this is like money in the bank cause at night, the heat stored in the concrete heats the room while the sun sleeps. Negligible cost for running a small pump, compared to using a 2000W fan heater in the room. I recommend this method to anyone contemplating building an outside fish room. In fact I see no reason why when a house is being built that this is not incorporated into the concrete floor. Alan 104

I wouldn't tell you if I did anyway. Alan 104

Make sure that any uneaten food is removed after half an hour as it will start decaying and give you an ammonia spike which can/will kill your fish. Your tank will not have cycled properly yet so do not add any more fish till it settles down properly. Have you live plants in the tank? If so guppies are quite happy to browse on them if they get hungry. Fish can go without feding for over a week, but that isn't a very good practice. But if you left it three days then feed them flake in a floating ring,(that is a small 50mm ring that stops food spreading all round the tanks surface), they should have overcome their shyness and environmental changes. Alan 104 Oh! Welcome to the site. Alan

FB, what plants did you have for them to come down that hard?? Alan 104

With my set up and number of tanks. I'd pray. Then maybe move the smaller tanks into the house that is heated by a kent fire box. Alan 104

Depends on several things. One is the breed of the pig, and the other main one, is what it has been feeding on in the last week. Alan 104

Looks good NAS, but try to get the heater down lower so it is'n't looking like a shining beacon, also if you were to take your straight val and plant it closed to the filter at back right, that would disguise that corner as well. Keep it up Alan 104

If you have insurance cover, use it. Then get the base done professionally with your 10mm glass. Insurance should cover your floor damage and re-instatement as well. Alan 104

Be careful with using plastics or similar as some are toxic. It would not hurt to test it out with some sacrificial fish before you put it in with valuable specimens. Alan 104

Sounds different Sha Alan 104

Move the air pipes around so as it is as far away from the side of the tank as possible. The sides act like a sounding board. You should be able to count the bubbles coming from the exhaust pipe. Alan 104

Due to the fact that few if any of the NZKA officers come to this forum, the details are WAY out of date, even two years I think. Get in touch with E. Jensen who should be able to fill you in with what you want. Alan 104

Welcome to the "NEW" forum SG, I think we, or at least, most of us will meet your criteria. What size is that tank? Dimension wise? As far as not big enough for tetras, it depends what species of tetras you are going to be or wanting to, put in there and how many too. Cardinals or neons and that size can decorate a small tank easily, but "Sharn's" favourites, will not fit in most of our tanks when full grown. They are of course the pacus, arrgggghhhh :evil: :evil: Hope you find what you want here, and we have a chat room most nights at about 9 till when ever, pop in and say hi.. Alan 104

and about bluudy tyme two Alan 104

My fav out of the lot? John and Gael together. Absolutely stoked to see that one mate. You have an Angel there. Alan 104

No way. It must be pure unadulterated peat. Alan 104

I just syphon into a bucket as per normal, then dispose of the water thru a fine net, reversing the net, into clean tank water, to find any fry that made the trip. Alan 104