Japes' 2010 Eartheater Work/Photolog

[typicaltony]

great infos and spectacular tanks

 

['vspec']

Job in jeopardy as I work in an LFS that imports small numbers of niche exotics.

Im clawing back from the whole redundency thing myself. I never actually realised how much everything cost untill i fell from the perch. Ripping that silver spoon from the mouth was kinda hard ..lol I realise it now because my projects are suffering. So yeah, there are afew that pay those prices, unfortunately (or fortunately - however you look at it) Im no longer one of them!

 

['vspec']

Have you got the latest link to Australia's Biosecurity policies on Iridovirus through your work?

It seems to be scattered focusing on individual species. If not i'll ask DPI or DAFF

*In edit* This looks like the one!
http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/asset...010_22_Prov_Final_Irido_IRA_report_100722.pdf

 

[vfrstephen]

Aside from re-regulation of our current noxious/grey/allowable import list, there is legislation coming through (or passed? not entirely sure) for a disease known as Iridovirus - I honestly haven't read too much about what the disease actually is, but the plan is to test varying percentages of every import batch. These percentages reduce in relation to the amount of fish imported. Import 10000 fish, then they might only test 2000. Import 100 fish, they might test 75. No exact figure has been given as far as I'm aware. Doesn't sound too bad? The fish need to be killed to be tested.

Now, I work for a small LFS which imports specific Bettas from Aquabid and other sources. We also specialise in Bettas, Wild Apistogramma, Wild Pencilfish, West African Dwarves, etc. No other LFS does this in the state, and very few (if any) in the entire country. We fill a niche market with small imports batches of rare exotics, so a high percentage will be killed for testing, driving up prices to something ridiculous. We have very small markup on live stock - we currently have wild Nannostomus rubrocaudalatus (Purple Pencilfish) in store at the moment at $23 a pop. Decent shoal will therefore run you at least AUD$200 (~USD$175) - I could justify that cost for my setups, but very few people would. I've seen people whinge about cichlids being more than $10ea. Imagine driving that price up 50-75%.. whos going to buy them, and whos going to bother importing them? A short-lived fish which is difficult to breed - it won't exist here anymore.

Want to import a specific HM Betta from Aquabid? It will be killed for testing.

That sucks hope your LFS can still exist and hope you keep your job.

 

['vspec']

I cant remember if you mentioned it, however did you ever get your RO set-up?

 

[japes]

Nope, still using tank water.

Shot this boy in store today. Wild A. irinidae showing to the girls and boys.

 

['vspec']

Spectacular form bud.

Iniridae : In reference to the principle river system of the region, the Colombian - Venezuelan Rio Inirida drainage.

According to Romers,

PH: 4.5 - 5.5
µS/cm or S/cm: 80
Temp:24 - 33degC
2deg GH


Now to put that in perspective, my ungassed tap water spits out 0.1Ms/cm & 10p for TDS.

Romer used the Micro Siemens factor. My probe reads Milli Siemens, so in this case, its a scale X1000. so 0.1milli Siemens *1000 = 100MicroS/cm.

So even from the start ive got a greater conductivity potential and hence looking at it from the fishes perspective, subjecting them to increased osmotical pressures. Although negligible

Conductivity is a great snap shot tool, even more so in our chosen aquatic spectrum. It lets you get a super quick idea on your given system for your own benchmark findings. I personally look at it from 2 perspectives.

Inputs or Initial = looking at your source, your desired, (once personal process is taken care of), then your end result.

State of Play or WIP = normal running of your tank processes, & hence, the 'Snap Shot'
When you see it slide in any direction, (usually up) then you investigate with your other tests to pin point a given issue or process that is occurring to explain it. action can then be taken, or proactive means deployed to increase the counter action.


Keep em coming japes, I enjoy quality interactions & conversations, so i dont want to get board.

 

['vspec']

Whats happening in niche world bud, anything new?

 

[vfrstephen]

[QUOTE='vspec';441170;4]Im clawing back from the whole redundency thing myself. I never actually realised how much everything cost untill i fell from the perch. Ripping that silver spoon from the mouth was kinda hard ..lol I realise it now because my projects are suffering. So yeah, there are afew that pay those prices, unfortunately (or fortunately - however you look at it) Im no longer one of them![/QUOTE]

I too was made redundant 6 months ago and struggling, i cant even afford a filter for my 65g.

 

[goestonemoa]

wicked yeh ...fun thread to follow