ziouxpioux
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- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
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Good early morning. A bit chilly here this morning in Central Florida. MY OH MY has this obessession changed thru the decades. My start in freshwater tropicals began in the 5th grade when our teacher Mr. Runkle set up a small tank in the classroom. I received my first 10 gal tank for my birthday that same year and that anniversay is coming up soon, in April as a matter of fact. Back then there were no bags to carry fish home from the IFS. Instead the owner had a collection of cast off gallon glass containers that once contained mayonaise and such. The first one was free. And a person was expected to guard their jar with their life and bring it back each time. Mine lasted a long time! Anyhow, many tanks and many fish later here I am.
I currently have 1 ten gal marine with one very mean blue fiji devil. A 55 gal marine with live rock and two condylactis, the fiji killed off any fish that were in there- thus he is now on his own and I have yet to replace any fish in the tank. I am watching one condy as she is acting different and I am hoping she splits.
I have a 20 gal quaranteen tank where a tiny baby guppie lives that was born durning a recent quaranteen, and 3 new powder blue gouramies plus 1 very active ramshorn snail Then there is my main pride and joy. A 125 gal that is in the works for a fully planted freshwater fish home. It is taking me months to set up due to first the getting the substrate in, a costly proceedure. Then putting in the huge awesome rock, and a underwater toy shack. Running the filter and feeding food to all the invisible fish in the tank. Finally, all chemistry is good and start the process of adding fish. A few each month. Meanwhile, gradually getting new lights for the old fixtures, having to replace a fixture because the on/off switch busted. Am waiting on the arrival of that fixture at the moment. Then next month I will order plants. It is perhaps a good thing I am forced due, to limited budget to go so slow. Probably best for the health of the tank if ya know what I mean.
Meanwhile, here I am, and WOW what a change in the hobby. All those chemicals, addititves, awesome filters (my first one was a plastic hang on the back with air hoses, a noisy pump, charcoal and that spun glass filter floss). No knowledge of cycling, etc. My how fish suffered back then!!! Surprisingly, either the force was with me or the fish were tougher because I had very few losses. Back then water exchanges were not done, just topped off and no chemical testing. And fish actually thrived!! PLants grew so much hobbyist were throwing away what was considered an overabundance. Like I said, sure is different nowdays. AND no special lights, etc. Now, I am lucky to keep fish going due to diseases if I do not have a quaranteen tank first. It is difficult to keep plants growing without special attention - is it because of the way plants are propigated now thus, weakening them? Anyhow-- a bit long winded but, here I am.
Karen Campbell
I currently have 1 ten gal marine with one very mean blue fiji devil. A 55 gal marine with live rock and two condylactis, the fiji killed off any fish that were in there- thus he is now on his own and I have yet to replace any fish in the tank. I am watching one condy as she is acting different and I am hoping she splits.
I have a 20 gal quaranteen tank where a tiny baby guppie lives that was born durning a recent quaranteen, and 3 new powder blue gouramies plus 1 very active ramshorn snail Then there is my main pride and joy. A 125 gal that is in the works for a fully planted freshwater fish home. It is taking me months to set up due to first the getting the substrate in, a costly proceedure. Then putting in the huge awesome rock, and a underwater toy shack. Running the filter and feeding food to all the invisible fish in the tank. Finally, all chemistry is good and start the process of adding fish. A few each month. Meanwhile, gradually getting new lights for the old fixtures, having to replace a fixture because the on/off switch busted. Am waiting on the arrival of that fixture at the moment. Then next month I will order plants. It is perhaps a good thing I am forced due, to limited budget to go so slow. Probably best for the health of the tank if ya know what I mean.
Meanwhile, here I am, and WOW what a change in the hobby. All those chemicals, addititves, awesome filters (my first one was a plastic hang on the back with air hoses, a noisy pump, charcoal and that spun glass filter floss). No knowledge of cycling, etc. My how fish suffered back then!!! Surprisingly, either the force was with me or the fish were tougher because I had very few losses. Back then water exchanges were not done, just topped off and no chemical testing. And fish actually thrived!! PLants grew so much hobbyist were throwing away what was considered an overabundance. Like I said, sure is different nowdays. AND no special lights, etc. Now, I am lucky to keep fish going due to diseases if I do not have a quaranteen tank first. It is difficult to keep plants growing without special attention - is it because of the way plants are propigated now thus, weakening them? Anyhow-- a bit long winded but, here I am.
Karen Campbell
Glad to have you here! New methods don't always equal better methods. I, too, have kept fish all of my life and have had to adjust to changing practices every few years.
Did your tank have a slate bottom too?
This is the left hand corner in the tank. I did not notice how well the fish pooing showed up. I have been overfeeding until I am sure that Bruce the betta and the 3 new gouramis will get along. Yes, I have been checking the chemicals and all is good. Also, the reflection in the right of the picture is the marine tank, I should have shut it's lights off.
