On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:36:31 +0100, Gill Passman
wrote:

Huge snip leaving big void

out of the tank.....and there is an awful lot of water to chase them
across - I have problems netting tetras even in much smaller tanks.

The cross bar in big tanks. There's one in my 55. I have to stand on a
stepstool to reach into the bottom of the tank. A couple of days ago I
had to chase down 3 Serpae tetras. They knew exactly where that center
bar was and knew when they raced under it that I would have to switch
hands and raise the net over the bar and put it back down on the other
side and lose my balance on the step stool while they meanwhile
returned to their original position. I tried a net in each hand, one
on each side of the bar, my hands and my brain simply refused to
coordinate. I found it easier just to leave the net dangling and wait
for them to accidently swim into it. I'm retired. I have more time
that they do. The bristle nose was ****ed off at me for knocking him
off his favorite chunk of driftwood. The corys were heartbroken when I
tumbled their carefully constructed stone caves. The Angels were upset
when I mowed down their favorite stand of Vallisnaria. I seriously
considered recruiting one or two of my cats to have a go at it. This
never used to be so difficult. Next time I will plan better. Duct tape
my glasses to my nose so they won't keep sliding down. Tie my hair
back so it wouldn't fall in my face at the exact critical moment,
erect scaffolding so I won't fall off the step stool . . . maybe if I
stocked my tank with live plants and real driftwood and rocks and fake
fish . . . now there's an idea!

-- Mister Gardener