syno321

It's easier than the mattenfilter, and easier to clean. Actually I've run BOTH powerhead + sponge, and the mattenfilter, and the mattenfilter is far easier to clean. It never has to be removed from the tank to clean, can use existing air or hang-on-the-back power filters to power it, especially for the smaller tanks you're talking about, and provides larger surface area for bacteria to live. If you use your existing power filters to power it there won't be any interuption in your nitrogen cycle while waiting for a new filter to cycle.

google "hambuger mattenfilter", also try the swisstropicals site

Interesting, thanks!

the new suspended bucket trick What is it?

So far one of the best books I've come across is "Back to Nature Guide to L-Catfishes" by Ingo Seidel. Ingo is a world renowned expert on the Loricarid family and an all-around good guy. He used to be one of the main contributors to planetcatfish, the BEST catfish web-site on the net, and maybe even the best tropical fish web-site on the net. This site is chocked with any and probably all of the information available about all catfish, even the most recently discovered . They have a book reviews section where you may also find other books you may be interested in. Enjoy!

Why not? I've fed maggots that I've purchased from fishing stores to larger fish in the past with no ill effects.

Undergrovel - when one is in the "doghouse" and doesn't suck up enough to get out.

Last time I was in Nature's Corner they had some nice Corydoras hastatus that would make an active, interesting and probably breeding display.

Please take to heart what the last 2 replies say. I have been a breeder and sold to virtually every store from Calgary to Edmonton and beyond for the last 25 years +. IMHO that store is a very risky investment that I would never ever consider.

Try some schooling dither fish like danios or rainbows.

[RED L Distributors www.redl.com They also have a southside location that I've been dealing with on occasion for years.

Normally that might noy be much of a problem, but the albilno fry's vision is not nearly as sharp as the normal fry. Consequently they will out compete the albino fry for food and could possibly stunt their growth, or worse. A tank divider may be a possible solution.

They are one and the same

I like the vivaria they have set up at BAs.

Kyle, what is the eventual adult size of the flower rays?

Horseface loaches spend 95% of their time covertly operating in the sand bed.

When I had my group the males demonstrated relentless aggression with each other. Subordinate males always had torn fins and were invariably trying to find places of refuge from the constant harassment.

The feeders or fatheads will survive in a pond that size, especially with an open area created by the windmill aerator.

Go in and ask, I'm sure they'd tell you.

The owners have done a very poor job of laying out the store. With only one staff member on duty the layout is ideal for any kind of shoplifting. Paying 2 employees to work at all times ( with one always at the till ) is the only way to prevent theft. It is the OWNERS lack of forethought to the layout, or frugal staffing that are responsable for any missing items, NOT THE EMPLOYEES!

A school of Corydoras hastatus, the Dwarf Cory catfish. they school in midwater and are constantly going over any structure, plant or other, in the tank looking for edibles. Paraguay tetras also like to school with them.

the gourami is quite large (i would save even close to 6inches) will that play factor in any? from what ive read, the tiger barbs (as long as you get 5+) should only school by themselves and don't usually bother bigger fish? My bet is, the Tiger Barbs will not be able to resist nipping the long trailing ventral fins of the gourami, no matter how large it is. Try them together but be prepared to remove the gourami very quickly if the barbs start on the ventral fins.

Razor blade will work just fine. Give the eggs a few hours to harden up and either the rolling or razor method will work.

BA's in Edmonton just got in some of the snail killing snails.