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PCS & Stuart M. Grant - Cichlid Preservation Fund - Details here


humbug

Member Since 26 Dec 2012
Offline Last Active Oct 16 2019 08:48 AM

#366423 How Much Faith Do You Have In Your Test Kit Results?

Posted by humbug on 12 August 2018 - 09:25 AM

I continue to use JBL kits and have seen nothing which leads me to think they are giving erroneous results.   Other experienced hobbyists who have moved to JBL (plus a couple of highly respected retailers I deal with) are also firm advocates of the JBL kits.  Others have been suggesting the Sera kits as another alternative, but I have no personal experience with the brand. We continue to see issues with API kits.
 

I'm forced to purchase JBL kits on-line from overseas because we still have no importer in Australia.  I would far prefer to support local businesses, but I simply don't have the option in this case . . . . .    Even the retailers I mention above, while being advocates of the products and using them for in-house testing, are unable to stock them for customers because they can't source them cost-effectively through an Australian importer.

 

Despite suggestions above, I certainly have no personal commercial or other vested interest in this brand, or any other brand.  I'm purely a hobbyist.

I'm guessing that because these tests kits are in general all based on the same reagents, then from the perspective of colour-blindness, there will be little difference between brands. Perhaps if you have a decent LFS near you who stocks alternative brands, then they may be willing to do some trials for you.  Perhaps see if you can find (or manufacture) a couple of water samples with a decent ammonia and nitrate level and test with a couple of brands to see if one is easier for you to use than another?  Can I suggest that if you do this, then the results could be of value to others.  Photograph and post your findings!!

 




#366080 The Fish Vet

Posted by humbug on 17 June 2018 - 03:04 PM

The problem with a diagnosis such as this is that when fish are "off", they frequently don't feed.  So that then begs the question - is the lack of body fat a symptom or a cause? 

I had a similar diagnosis when we were struggling to find answers with unexplained deaths in a colony of important fish.  The diagnosis was based on two fish which hadn't been eating for some time.  In my mind it wasn't surprising that they were thin - not eating does that to fish.  But the state of the remaining, apparently unaffected fish in the tank was testament to the fact that sufficient food was available . . . . .




#365479 Water Change Problem

Posted by humbug on 26 March 2018 - 09:02 AM

Re alternative media - try not to get drawn into all of the marketing hype. All media is is somewhere for the beneficial bacteria to grow. The bacteria doesn't care what its growing on. As long as there is enough surface area on that media to support enough bacteria to cope with the waste from your fish, all will be good. 
 

All of the manufacturer's are attempting to sell their product. They will go to extreme lengths to try to show that their product is better than the opposition's for one reason or another. Generally they claim their product is more "efficient" - ie it has more surface area in the same volume. So what??? It just means you need a little bit more of the other product . . . .
 

For anyone who already has media, I wouldn't recommend changing for the sake of changing. Reality is that provided you have a reasonably sized filter, then whatever media you are currently using is probably already providing far more surface area than required. Adding more surface area will do nothing to improve your filtration. The amount of bacteria will only increase to the level of food (waste) in your tank.
 

I personally use a whole range of different media in different filters. Basically, I get whatever happens to be the best deal at the time I'm buying.  Its when you are setting up for the first time that its worth considering options.




#365405 Large Jump In Food Consumption For A Leichardi

Posted by humbug on 18 March 2018 - 11:16 AM

Interesting observation! 

I don't suppose you saw the program on ABC this week that spoke about human growth and how we go through phases in our life with the stockpiling of energy in the body to help in certain phases of development.  I guess there's no reason to think that similar things wouldn't be happening in other living creatures.  


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#365081 Cichlid Interstate Order!

Posted by humbug on 17 February 2018 - 04:17 PM

The hertae are gorgeous fish too!  Amazingly clean and crisp looking fish in their breeding livery!!  Quite placid, too.  I've had multiple males in my group for some time without issues, which is something I've never been able to do with the ornatus.   

You just have that perpetual problem that we all have in this hobby - you need another tank  :)




#365073 Cichlid Interstate Order!

Posted by humbug on 16 February 2018 - 05:23 PM

Now they have Protomelas ornatus masinje. Didn't think there was any left in Australia.

They have been around in small numbers for many years.  If you do a search of "Eclectochromis ornatus masinje" on the forum I'm pretty sure you'll find a photo of mine of a young male, but unfortunately it doesn't do the species true justice. The colours on a mature male when its spawning are staggering!   There are a couple of others I know who have them and are breeding them. 

In my experience they are particularly interesting to keep because, if given the opportunity in a larger tank with plenty of fine substrate, they will build a really impressive bower in which to breed.  I know that we as hobbyists can get a bit upset at the earth moving that our fish can do, but when you understand what they do in nature in the lake, then you "get" what all that earth moving is about.  Just another example of how keeping these guys gives us a little window into the natural environment.




#364208 New Tank Cycling And Stocking Help!

Posted by humbug on 26 November 2017 - 03:58 PM

I'm a huge advocate of fish-less cycling.  I believe Aquotix can supply ammonium chloride; I've certainly got it from them in the past.  Alternatively a local chemical supply company will have it, although you may need to sign a form to say you want it for cycling tanks and not bomb-making. :)   Its not expensive. I personally believe you do far better using the ammonium chloride than using fish food or a raw prawn because you have direct control over your ammonia levels. 

Best bet is to locate someone with a running tank and getting hold of the mulm from their filter when they do a filter clean.  Innoculate your media with that mulm and you will achieve a much faster cycle than you will using any of the "bacteria in a bottle" products. 

Remember if you are fishless cycling you can crank your temperature up, which can really speed up the cycling process. 

Re your stock-list:  You have a selection of fish there from potentially quite aggressive through to quite placid.  Yes, there is always a range of temperaments within a single species, or a variety, but I think I could pretty accurately identify which fish in your list are likely to become the trouble makers. 

If I were putting together a stock list for an all-male display tank, I'd choose either a group of "tough cookies" (those that can not only give out a fight, but can also take one) such as the OB, Dragonblood, Albino, Venustus, etc . . . .  OR a group of more placid guys like the red emp, pure species peacocks etc.  I personally think you are on a hiding to nothing trying to mix the gentler guys with some of the thugs.

If red emps are a must, why not look at a collection of Protomelas, Placidiochromis, Otopharynx, Copadichromis and some of the pure strain peacocks?




 




#363664 New Monthly Topic Ideas

Posted by humbug on 10 October 2017 - 06:42 AM

I’d love to see the Society have a focus on the use and accuracy of test kits in the hobby.  Perhaps a discussion on the important aspects to ensure you can get best results, but also an experiment where members bring along some test kits in their possession, say ammonia and nitrate, and try using them with a test solution of known concentration. Ideal if it involved kits of different brands, different ages, and even out of date kits. 
 

I suggest it may be a bit of an eye-opener for some as to how well these kits work in the real world – sitting in people’s cupboards, and being used by hobbyists.

Here’s a similar exercise conducted by a marine group. 
 

http://www.advanceda...012/6/chemistry
 

I’d be happy to help with some ideas of how to set up an experiment




#363126 Fish Room Shed Build

Posted by humbug on 30 August 2017 - 04:11 PM

Will look forward to watching your progress!!




#362189 Public Opinion Of What We Do.

Posted by humbug on 13 June 2017 - 11:01 AM

I LOVE it.  Thanks for sharing  :D  


I was sitting with a group of kids the other day.  They were playing the "Truth and Lies" game where you provide three things about yourself and the others have to guess which one is a lie.  My "facts" were that I'd been scuba diving in Africa, that I had 70 tanks of fish, and that we had three dogs.  Surely the lie would be OBVIOUS to any sane individual?????  I mean, who in their right mind would keep three dogs??? ^_^




#362184 Shells

Posted by humbug on 13 June 2017 - 08:17 AM

Ohhhh - that's interesting!  I wonder why.  I know I've physically brought shells into the country when travelling.  I've declared them to customs and they've shown no interest.  I've certainly had no issues when I've ordered on-line.


A funny story there, though.  I had the privilege of visiting Malawi a couple of years ago.  While fossicking around the markets, I stumbled across some really beautiful, large conical shells.  They obviously weren't from the lake.  When we asked, the stall holder thought they were from the Mozambique coast.  I loved them, and got them for a great price.  Thought they would be ideal for my Metriaclima lanisticola.

In coming back through customs, I did the right thing and declared them.  The custom officers face fell.  "I think these are giant African land snails.  They are prohibited.  I'll need to check".  Oooooooppppppps!!!!!    :rolleyes:   He had them checked, and yes they were land snails.  But . . . . .  a matter of a few weeks before the rulings had changed.  Providing the shells were empty and contained no trace of "snail residue" they were acceptable.  I got to keep my snail shells.  :)   It had never even occurred to me that these things were of anything other than marine origin.  Unbelievable solid for a land based snail!!!!


 


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#362154 Shells

Posted by humbug on 11 June 2017 - 12:25 PM

I see this has been sorted now, but perhaps I can add my experience for people searching archives in future. 

I've found that while escargot shells are a great shape and size for the smaller shellies, they don't seem to be that robust in the tank.  I've found that after a couple of years they become very fragile, and a good percentage are broken.  I've found turbo shells to be a better long-term investment.  At different times I've bought gold mouth turbos through an eBay seller in Qld (not advertised all the time - you need to be patient and wait for them to be listed), and online from a company in Florida.  In both cases they weren't too much more expensive than escargot shells, but all are as good now as they were when I bought them years ago.




#362153 Advice Needed Re Nitrites

Posted by humbug on 11 June 2017 - 11:45 AM

How long has your tank been running, stewie?  I'm guessing we are talking about a new tank which is still cycling. 

If you have nitrites present then you know that the cycle is at least on its way.  My advice would be to dose with one of the complex water conditioners (ie Seachem Prime, Seachem Safe, Continuum Fraction) every 24 hours to help detoxify the nitrite and any ammonia to keep your fish safe.  Keep this up, and monitor your water conditions, until ammonia and nitrite readings are zero.  By this stage you should be seeing nitrate readings.




#362128 Fish Of The Month - Metriaclima Hajomaylandi

Posted by humbug on 10 June 2017 - 09:07 AM

I'll second those sentiments wholeheartedly!  

I was lucky enough to receive some of these fish a while back from WA.  They are an absolute pleasure to have in my tanks.  I've found them to be incredibly easy going fish for a mbuna species.

I currently have a group of 14 sharing a tank with a small colony of a "softer" hap species.  The haps are completely unphased by the mbuna.  I've seen little to no real aggression between the mbuna.  I did find that I needed to reduce the number of males in the tank before they started breeding (I started with 20), but the remaining group still has a relatively high number of males.  In my experience they a pretty robust fish - I've had zero health concerns with them in the time they have been in my hands. They are breeding steadily, and I've found that the fry grow relatively quickly.

These are STUNNINGLY beautiful fish when breeding, and that's really something coming from a hap fanatic like me.   :)

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The hobby has a real debt to the guy responsible for saving these fish.  I know its not been an easy road for him.  Too easy for someone to give up and move on to an "easier" prospect when difficulties are faced, but in this case the dedication of this genuine dinky-die hobbyist has saved a gorgeous species for others to enjoy.  Hats off to him and his supporters, and my heart-felt gratitude!!!!!!

Be aware that there is a second "strain" of these fish recently surfaced in the eastern states (wink, wink).  I've not personally seen them in the flesh, but it appears they too are probably the real deal.  Their appearance is different to the WA fish.  Photos I've seen show considerably less distinct stripes.  Some of the guys over there have put considerable time into research and have identified what are possibly the two different collection sites for these two strains.  The photos in Stormfyre's post show how variable the fish are between collection points.  Hopefully someone can pipe up and provide details.  Just mentioning this as I feel its REALLY important that people take great care of these precious gems.  Please don't mix fish from different sources unless you are confident of what you are working with.  These fish are far too important to lose!!!!


 




#362099 New/re-Done Tang Setup

Posted by humbug on 09 June 2017 - 11:49 AM

Great post Inga51!

I have a large colony of multies in a community tang tank with julies, cyps, paracyps, chalinochromis and gobies.  I find that the little blighters fiercely guard their tiny patch, but the other fish just keep clear.  A multi territory is a very limited area, so I don’t think they are likely to cause issues to other fish in your situation if you provide a shell bed in a limited area.  More of an issue would be the fronts as they grow.  A multi would make a tasty, albeit crunchy, snack for a large front.  Given the right conditions, multis will breed like rabbits.  Predators like leleupi make for good “crowd control” with multi fry to keep numbers in check.

Another option to consider as a possible tank mate for the fronts is Limnochromis auritus.  They are a mid-sized, very placid cichlid, and are fascinating fish to breed as they are by-parental mouth brooders, with the male sharing in fry raising.  In the lake they are mud-borrows, so they need to be provided with caves or tunnels.  Wonderful fish to keep.  I struggle to understand why they aren’t more commonly kept.

With catching holding females, have you tried sneaking back into the room a couple of hours after lights out and grabbing them while they are dozing?  Its the method I use to catch awkward fish.  It works well with the more open-water fish - not so successful with rock dwellers who take refuge when sleeping.