Mixing Discus and Newts, Make That Aquatic Skink  12/1/05
Hi!  I have a discus tank project in mind. I will use a 30" high tank but fill it only to about 22". The aim is to have some aerial plant growth and immersed bogwood. I plan to perform 25% twice a week (automated) water change. Then I had the idea that since there would be a small terrestrial part, it would be original and wonderful to have a couple of newts there (don't know what species would be appropriate for that habitat tough, at 82F...). Somebody advised against it saying that amphibians exudations through the skin would cause a lot of trouble with the discus and make them sick all the time. What is your opinion on that? Is it possible/realistic to mix those animals?
Thanks! Dominique
< This is an interesting idea. Most newts require cool water temps and may not go well with the discus. Poison arrow frogs lose their toxicity in captivity and captive bred ones are perfectly safe. Go to Kingsnake.com and check out some little aquatic armored skinks from New Guinea. They can handle the heat and seem fairly easy to care for. Kinda expensive at around $75 each but very cool little lizards.-Chuck> 

Newts And Discus  12/1/05
Hi Chuck! Thanks! I didn't know this lizard species. They do look cool. I also like poison arrow frogs. The thing is that it would be best to use a mostly aquatic animal in my mix. The land part of the tank will be quite small, it will be mostly aquatic. That's why I thought about newts (and I don't like African frogs, they wont use the land part anyway...). You are right with the temperature: I didn't find any species that fits so far. I am surprised that there is no newt that would stand those temperatures. I thought there must be several nice species coming from warm Amazon waters...  But the amphibian's skin thing wouldn't be a problem you think?
Dominique
< Toads and newts are generally the ones that generate the toxins, especially when they are ill or threatened. Not sure how they react with fish but they are probably preyed on by fish so it would make sense that the toxins would have some effect on them. The newts are pretty slow and would be easy prey if they did not have these defenses.-Chuck> 

Tank cleaning 9/26/05
Hi - a friend of mine gave me a saltwater fish aquarium--I have ball pythons that I'd like to put into...however, the glass has a clear film -- how do I clean this off?  when I try to, it looks like it's coming off but as soon as it's dry the film is still there--any suggestions??
>> Try with a bit of white vinegar. Likely your film is from Calcium, soak it by lying the tank on it side and the use a soft green scrub pad. That should work.
Good luck, Oliver

Any Herp Fans?
>what up crew,
>>Hi Charlie.  Marina here.  Very quickly, as much for your "benefit" as for that of others - we here at WetWebMedia very kindly ask that folks please use proper capitalization and punctuation.  This saves us the time-consuming task of retyping, which I won't do since you don't actually have an urgent question.
>thank you for the bottomless pit of knowledge. I've been soaking up info like
a sponge for the last month or two and your website has steadily been
informative and conscientious, as compared to the rest. bob, the CMA was great, its sensibility was refreshing.
>>Glad you like it, it's one of those 'really-*ought*-to-have' books.
>about to start reef inverts cuz I read some good reviews... anyway I was just wondering if anyone in the crew was a former herper converted?  
>>Of the people on our crew who I know are/were herp people, they aren't converted nor have lost their love.  Jim is one who immediately comes to mind (he's also got a very cheeky blue-fronted Amazon, as I recollect), and I think he's got a tree python, among others in his menagerie.
>just asked cuz I have always had a love for snakes and have been fascinated since that first corn at the lfs.. well a trip to the Bahamas this summer changed everything when I went reef snorkeling for the first time. FREAKING AMAZING. so now here we are. anyone else?  keep our old-growth forests old, Charlie, pa
>>As far as I know, everyone here on the crew has started out with an enthusiasm for keeping animals, be they fish or other, and in many cases that has grown and expanded.  As for myself, I was just recertified diver (PADI) this last August in Tulamben, Bali.  It's the first time I've seen the animals I'd handled for so many years in their natural environment, and I am now determined to get as much of THAT as possible.  Sod the fish tanks, let's go diving!  Marina

Reptile Aquarium for Fish?  1/13/04
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I am thinking of getting a 200 gallon aquarium that recently housed a boa.
<Cool!  Nice big tank.>
What steps do I need to take in order to make this ok for fish?
<The 1st thing you need to find out is if this aquarium was originally built for fish & is not a homemade tank for reptiles.  The glass should be 1/2-5/8" thick.  There should be a brace going across the top to prevent the tank from bowing with water in it.  Then I would wash it out with a bleach/water solution very well.  rinse very well & fill completely. checking for leaks & using Dechlor, to get rid of any excess bleach.  Dry out the outside & leave overnight. If there are no leaks, you can drain & fill again for fish.>
And would the silicon seals have dried up and cause leaks? Should I change these prior to using it for fish?
<If you do detect leaks, it is very easy to take out the old silicone with a razor blade & replace.  I've done this with several tanks.  My friend had a bottle go through the front glass of his 125g tank (party!!).  He replaced the glass himself & 15 years later, it still holds water.>    
Thanks for your help.  
<You're welcome--Pufferpunk>

Iguana
Should not be a problem, straight bleach, not perfumes or dyes, 1cup per 5gal of water, contact time approx 2 hours.  Rinse, dry in the sun, repeat if necessary.  The rinsing and drying should dissipate the chlorine (bleach).  I hope your friend with the Iguana got him a larger home, they don't stay small for long :-).
Best Regards, Gage>
Thank you for the quick response.
I got the iglet too, 1st thing, new cage, 6'x4'x30"(gotta fit it through the door =) )  He's thriving.
<Iglet, ha, that's good.  I'm full of links, here's a good iguana one.
http://www.anapsid.org/  -Gage>
Chris Jones