OziOscar

Yep, it looks OK. The office room (5 x 10 metres) is already grey walls, dark grey ceiling, light grey bookshelves so the silver grey Aqua One looks like it was meant to be here. Changed my mind about discus. Too much effin' around with pH management, controlled pH and temperature water changes, high temperature tolerant plants, trying to go heavy planted and try to be reasonably close to biotope, the expense of keeping the tank and the water change at 28C... It gets down to 4C here in winter, so it would take at least 600W of heating at least 12 hours to get up to the desired temperature. That's about $7 per week ($84 per quarter) in power for water changes for twice weekly changes. CO2 and high light at the front for micro-grass, dimmer at the rear for other plant species, etc. Add the aggro of the missus' disapproval of a couple of blue barrels in the house... negotiable, but why bother? Too much trouble imho. The water profile for my area (upper north shore) is pH 7.8... ffs... The water supply body is proud to say they're heading for 8.0. I don't understand why. That looks like a PITA for some water users - such as those of us who are trying to maintain sub-7 and for we who are professional gardeners. Yes, benno, you're right. Can't do juvies in a planted tank without a lot of attrition. Been there. Done that. Lives lost, dollars burnt. Won't do it again... too unkind. Have cleaned and sanitised the tank, and am test filling as I write. The kids (7 & 4) were excited about it at first, demanding to stay and watch, but then declared "Dad! This is boring" which elicited a response of "No sh1t, Sherlock. Want to listen to paint drying?" They actually said yes. I think they have a future listening to early Pink Floyd. Back to the drawing board. Cheers - Ozi.

Hi Oakes Yes, it would have been about that long. I think I closed down the last system about ten years ago. I bought a used Aqua One four footer (4 x 17 x 20) for cheap, the one with the rounded-corners one-piece front pane. Am thinking to do a planted discus display tank. I've done it before on a smaller scale, so this will be fun. Still lots of reading to do to update my knowledge and techniques, and decide between Bleher style biotope or proper eye-candy. Like you, am not keen on breeding again. You end up with many tanks, heaps of technical equipment and the LFS orders a new Ferrari every time they see you. Cheers - Ozi.

Hi! I have been away from this forum for years. I got into breeding - kids, not fish - and finally they're of the age where I think I can trust 'em not to pull a 4ft onto themselves. It's going to be a slow start as so much has changed since last I kept Africans and was a biotope nazi. Lots to learn, again. If anyone remembers me, say g'day. In the meanwhile, I'll lurk and learn. Lots of old stuff to read. Cheers - Ozi.

Hi Guys and Mods... I think the reason most people put "you have PM" etc is to indicate to everyone else that a party is seriously interested in the item(s) and to deter further parties attempting the transaction. Well, that's why I have used it in the past. Cheers - OziOscar.