Christmas For Fishkeepers

[Egmel]

I find it interesting how many people have suggested books for novices.

I've been given 2 generic tropical starting books, both bought by non-fishkeepers and both essentially useless. Not to say I didn't enjoy reading them but I'm never going to pick them up as reference because I have a laptop and wireless Internet, the answers are usually only a Google away. Maybe encyclopedic ones would be better, but I'm still not sure I'd use them all that much.

For the Novice: IOU fish/ fish stuff! A mini quarantine/hospital tank, money towards the next tank/filter up. Live plants if they don't already have loads. Money towards "new house fund" so they can get more room to put tanks or build them into walls!

For The Expert: Electronic testing kits, some new hosepipe, an IOU fish/plants, a book about marines (to pique their interest if it isn't already!) A years supply of filter floss/water conditioner/live food etc etc. A years supply of 'fish labour' cheques for water changing weekends, fish sitting or lugging that new tank into the perfect position.

 

[AnneRiceBowl]

For the novice: A starter aquarium kit and a short list of fishkeeping forums so they can research and receive fishy advice.

For the experienced: A life time membership to AGA ( ), lunar lighting, a gift card(s) to their favorite online or local LPS or LFS or even Ebay, or a trip to the local store to pay for items.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

xmas moss, for that festive feel!!!

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

For those suggesting books for the novice- could you reccomend titles that you have found helpful?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Most general fish indexes are handy, especially the Baensch series. Most 'setup' book are pretty pants, few are up to date or conclusive to everything you need to know. There are also books for every interest- catfish (with a plethora of cory books), oddballs of various types, plants- most stuffe.

 

[Himmel]

seeing as my significant other may read this please oh please oh please ................
MORE TANKS
Show Quality Bettas (Pairs)
Crackers Fish (the fave one of mine lol)


Other then that GC's I think lol

 

[karin15]

For the novice; a good book such as the Baensch atlases, give them a new volume each year until they reach "geek" status.

For the more experienced fish keeper; a blindfold, ear muffs and a gag for them to use on the other half so they dont see or hear the price on those new fish and even if they do cant start moaning about it until its too late.

 

[karuna]

For the Novice: (These are things I have been given for crimbo and loved, plus I'm still pretty much a novice )

• Flourite substrate - substrate designed specifically for the needs of plants.
  
  Plants ordered online and delivered to my door - tropical mix for a 2 foot tank which nearly filled my tank completely, had to give some of them to friends.
  
  An extra Lighting Unit, if like the unit I bought with my tank the original doesnt give much over 1 wpg (watts-per-gallon) - Might want to make sure that they have the space/plug to house the second unit though and also check into any extra brackets/reflectors they will need when mounting the new bulb. Also if you're going to buy the bulb for them as well you might want to ask if they have any preference or would like an alternative variation from their main bulb.

For the Expert: I'm definately not there yet and I don't think I need to add anything to the excellent previous suggestions.

 

[Callum]

for the novice: The Perfect Aquarium by Jeremy Gay

This is a really good book, much better than all the others i've read, its ace.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

for the novice: one of those really nice "silent" air pumps; a nice piece of driftwood or rock; new flourescent tubes; an attractive storage bin for fishy junk

for the more advanced: another "silent" air pump ; NMonks' new book on brackish fish ; moonlighting or CO2 kit; permission to set up a new 10g

a really nice gift for a novice would be a filter upgrade since most novices don't really have great filtration and many bought really crap filters without realizing it

a really nice gift for an expert would be a lighting upgrade because those are terribly expensive but pretty much essential for getting into serious planting

but what i really really want for Christmas are coupons for "free water changes during weeks where you don't really have time"

 

[karin15]

for the novise: little gift: the fish they were eyeing down at the pet store, big gift a power head
not realy qualified to say but for the expert: little gift: a banana plant, big gift: a fish index book? though i would imagin he/she would have one.

 

[karin15]

for the novice: The Perfect Aquarium by Jeremy Gay

This is a really good book, much better than all the others i've read, its ace.

ill check it out