Aquatopia

My other option is maybe to get some chunks of Oamaru stone and drill out holes and shapes - Im told this is soft enough to do this with. Does anyone else use it ?

Here is a link to a pic of this rock - not the best example and the nicest pieces have more holes and more interesting shapes. Please let me know if anyone has seen this around or knows where to get it and what its called. Thanks.

Hi, wondering if anyone has heard or seen of a rock I know as "ocean rock". Its not the "live rock" (dead as it happens when you buy it here, lol) that the salties keep. Its a very dense, smooth, whitish rock that has lots of interesting shapes, hollows and holes. Looks great in the tank, but not seen it here in NZ so far. But it might be known as something different and I just dont know the name. I will try and find a pic and post it too.

There are indeed - my favourite are Adolfoi, Followed by Schwartzi and then Julii. I still have a big soft spot for true Julii's as they were the first ever tropical fish I kept. A wee group of seven of them in a 900x450x450 tank to start it off, which then ended up being quite stunning till sadly an eheim thermo filter stuck on and cooked most of them

How big are the loaches ? Nothing quite like a big tank with big clown loaches in them

A shoal of piranha ? (I have seen some in tanks and they looked STUNNING !!)

...and just to clarify for some who may not know, "phenotype" is the physical appearance of an organism based on its genetics whereas "genotype" is simply the genetic makeup.

I'm not so sure that is right actually - a lot of cichlids display better colouring depending on lack of stress, whether there are females present to induce breeding display, and some experts believe also whether they are over a light or dark substrate. Also age has a bearing - often younger examples do not display full depth of colouration. Genetics may play a part too, but i certainly don't think its just down to that alone. JMHO

Thanks for all the names guys

Hi I was talking to someone about an afrikan cichlid where the male is blue and female is yellow. Can anyone tell me which one it is ? I cannot remember. Or are there more than one that are like this ? cheers

Alernatively a builders recycling yard :-)

killies in some nice planting get my vote for a tank that size for sure. Or even a nice amount of guppies in some very simple planting like vallis looks good - you can plant the whole tank out in it and keep different sections trimmed at different lengths. looks great.

are there any set rules for it ? i have seen them in a multitude of locations - sometimes it depends on how the sump is being used, but theres a whole host of variables.

What an interesting idea Lynnie - hope we get to see what you do when you have made your decision

Stunning. Discus rock

I love how they call it a new strain recently developed when in fact they mean its a genetic mutation that should have been culled but some greedy git thought they'd call it something soppy sounding and try and make a quick buck. Goes in the list of undesirables along with dye injected fish, parrot cichlids and munchkin cats as far as I'm concerned. :evil: :evil: :evil: Shame they have called it that actually cos the description of what Dave + Amy describes sounds lovely.

I think it was from the aspect that anything in a confined environment would get p'd off with insects jumping all over them - guess it depends on the age/size/temperament of the individual too though.

When i kept chameleons in the UK I was told not to have too many crickets in at the one time because they can be a pain and end up stressing the reptile even though they are prey items. I dont know if same applies to beardies.

et voila ! that and medicine removal - prime uses of activated carbon. :bounce:

I realise that - what Im saying is that there are specific reasons why some people choose carbon nevertheless. For example if I wanted a tank with lots of bogwood in but the aesthetic appearance of crystal clear water without the tanins from the wood I would weigh up the frequency of required water changes against just using carbon to do it for me.

i'd say its a yellow and black platy hehehe

Depending on water quality it could be a whole range of undesirable things, not just chlorine. As others have mentioned it also removes medication once treatment is over, and also tanin discoloration from bogwood. Yes water changes can do this but sometimes not everyone wants to do this as frequently as they might have to in order to keep their water permanently clear.

you're right - not a chance, but all is not lost - a local perspex supplier will either be able to cut it precisely or know who can. seriously - its an easy solution dubbo - i wouldn't be giving up so easily - im sure you will find someone who can do the cutting for you if you dont want to try yourself.

you found a tank at the dump ? some people have money to chuck, lol. nice work.

now theres a bloody good idea - shame theres no black sand beaches down in canterbury (are there ?). tank looks great - my suggestion - maybe some different levels or landscape some hills into it ?