Hello everyone

[Dragonslair]

Hello everybody.
My name is Mike and I'm forty something! I have decided to take up fishkeeping as a hobby just for fun. I have been around animals both wild and domestic most of my life, but I have never been around fish. So I thought that I would try this as a hobby. A lot of my friends tell me it is very therapeutic. As I am not quite as active as I used to be I thought I would try it out. So I will probably need some hints and advice as I go along. 8)

 

[pete]

Therapeutic hey???lol, well yes i suppose it is :what: apart from the fact that when you have as many tanks as some of us its not just a relaxing hobby, its more like an addiction that takes up every waking hour :laugh:

Anyway welcome to the forum and if you do have any questions (no matter how small or silly they may sound) please post them and we will all do our best to help you

 

[William]

Good Luck it is a great hobby to have!

Sorry for being boring but so many beginners don't do this and as a result many have bad experiences with fish dieing We don't want this to happen to you so I compiled a short list:

Remember the few key things to start,

1)Setup tank and let it run for two days before adding fish
2)Choose a small number of hardy fish to cycle the tank for 1 month or it may be longer (ask if you need more help on the cycle, then just ask in a few words u need to wait for the bacteria which convert fish waste to harmless products to build up in number otherwise ammonia in fish waste will kill your fish)
3) Stock up your number slowly choosing compatible species
4) Probably the most important! have fun!

Any more questions, fire them at us! No question is a stupid question!

 

[wotfish?]

welcome, theraputic mmmmm good word, not one id use for fishkeeping 8), buckets of water for changes, are they ok or are they looking odd, whys that fish doing that? just a few things that will keep you awake at night lol. think of a class of 3yr olds.............. thats how you worry with your fishie babies. :but: apart from that lol, have fun and welcome again to the world of aquatic wonders.

sue

 

[adeyc]

Hi Mike and welcome to the board. Anything you want to know just ask.
As for you lot he's just arrived and you're trying to scare him off :laugh: yes fishkeeping is theraputic but when you get to the same stage as most of us you find there isn't anymore room to put fishtanks so you have to move to a bigger premises or build a fish hut. Have fun and don't take anything thats not direct advice seriously. Were here to help.

 

[wotfish?]

how can anyone take any advice seriously from a man with a chicken

sue

 

[Macquatic]

Hi Mike, Welcome to the board. You will find us a very friendly lot, pretty knowledgeable and not afraid of a good laugh. Any help needed to start your new hobby just ask away. Mac.

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Hi Mike,
Fishkeeping is great, Just site back and enjoy them swimming around nice and peaceful :grin:

 

[adeyc]

Sue .how could you ! :0
It's a "dancing" chicken and very knowledgable too. :laugh:

 

[Dragonslair]

Hello everybody.
Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I shall look forward to our chats in the near future.

 

[Great Lakes]

Hi Mike, Welcome aboard. Have you got a tank yet?

 

[Dragonslair]

Whoops!
Sorry didn't log in first.
Above message is from me.

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Oooppppss :grin: First mistake to learn from

Is you lfs Anglia Aquatics. The pfk awards are voted for by the readers

 

[Dragonslair]

Hi Davey
The retailer is Fish Alive from Durham. The proprietor is Jim Kelly. A great bloke. He is more interested in the customer being able to care for the fish rather than the pushy and salesman type, if you get my drift. Of course I know he has to make a living...haven't we all? All his fish seem very healthy and he seems to know what he's talking about. I was quite impressed anyway.... I don't suppose it would take too much to impress me at the moment. I must get used to abbreviations and fishy jargon. Catch you later. (no pun intended!)

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Sorry m8 never heard of him, but I'll take your word for it :grin: