My Rio 240 Is Arriving Today

[dwarfgourami]

I've had such an appalling time lately, both in the house and in my tanks. Within the last month, the filters have broken down on two tanks- with the resulting deaths of my two favourite fish+ three others (1 thankfully very old, whose death had been long expected). And the failure of workmen to arrive meant that the Rio 240 which should have been up and running a month ago is arriving today, 3 days before the start of halfterm=going away, which means I can't set it up until June, which means the cycle will only be completed just before the start of the summer holiday=going away again. And due to the filter failure I won't have much in the way of old bacteria to help kickstart the filter.

The problem is I'm losing confidence. I always do after a disaster, at least for a few weeks, which is a problem when time is tight. And the disasters would have to coincide with the arrival of my parents, who don't believe in keeping fish. And they are sleeping in the room of the disaster tank, which still needs regular water changes.

Ok folks, I know this is pathetic- I've got a lovely tank arriving, I have made very careful plans, I've done lots of reading up, I have got enough money (for once) to set it up properly- and now I'm losing heart. I might even have cancelled the order, had my daughter not forbidden me. I keep telling myself that this is a learning experience, that I have now been out and got back-up filtration on all my tanks and that consequently this won't happen again, that 7 of the fish in the tanks did survive and survived because of my prompt action, but I still feel bad. Particularly because two of those fish were once I had previously managed to keep alive against all odds (one born deformed, the other very ill after a bad pregnancy).

But I really need someone else to tell me these things. Will you oblige?

Sorry if this sounds pathethic. Can't you guess that I've been up all night with a sick child?

 

[breezer40]

Most people go through something like this at one point or another but to have the guts to keep with it shows a dedicated fish keeper

 

[trace1]

sounds like may was not your month
anyway reguarding the cycle are you doing a fishless 1 with ammonia ?? if so if i remember rightly it takes at least a week for the first lot to go down doens't it so maybe it would be ok to start your cycle off now
think distasters always happen when you could do without them, sounds like you did well to noticed so quick & sort the problem out
sick kids don't help either, hope they ok now.
thinking about it can you not set up your new filter in the tanks you already have running go on yours hols & by the time you are ready to set up your new tank there will be some bacteria on the new filter so that will reduce the cycle time
sorry if i sound like i'm waffling on lol time of the month for me so brain has gone awol lol

 

[Triumph]

Sorry to here about your tale of woe, but nobody can do anything about filters breaking down.

Sounds like you did all you could to keep losss down to a minimum.

Anyway, chin up and good luck with the new tank. I really like the Rio 240 and would like one myself for my new tank. Just got to get around the other half first!

Billy the Fish

 

[Bloo]

Oh dear things haven't been great have they ?

But don't give up - it will all work out and it's very exciting getting such a beautiful tank. Piccies

 

[dwarfgourami]

thinking about it can you not set up your new filter in the tanks you already have running go on yours hols & by the time you are ready to set up your new tank there will be some bacteria on the new filter so that will reduce the cycle time

Well, this just shows that my brain is gone! Of course that's what I want to do! I kept thinking about it from the other point of view- moving filters from old tank to new tank- but of course I can do it the other way round. Thank you, trace!

 

[Littlelady]

Just think 2 months down the line, when the new tank starts coming together how thankful you will be that your daughter stopped you cancelling the order!

I can feel for you about parents - my mother doesn't like fish at all and cannot understand why I keep buying tanks and also cannot grasp that I find every single fish in this house beautiful!

Sounds to me like you are in a bit of a panic because there is going to be so much going on in the next few months - and having a sick child just before you are going away can't help!

I think the idea about setting up whichever filter you intend to use in one of your other tanks so long is a really good idea, then in the meantime tackle one thing at a time - sick child + sleep and then half term break and put the new tank to the back of your mind so long. Then when you have the time (and have had some sleep) oh - and have ignored any comments that your parents might have about it all- enjoy setting up and cycling your lovely new tank!!!

The confidence will soon come back.....

 

[trace1]

thinking about it can you not set up your new filter in the tanks you already have running go on yours hols & by the time you are ready to set up your new tank there will be some bacteria on the new filter so that will reduce the cycle time

Well, this just shows that my brain is gone! Of course that's what I want to do! I kept thinking about it from the other point of view- moving filters from old tank to new tank- but of course I can do it the other way round. Thank you, trace!

thats ok glad i could help. i know its hard going when you got sick kids & trying to sort out school hols & the like got 5 kids myself.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Well it arrived and...I think I feel better about it. Somehow seeing that big thing in my living-room has made the whole thing feel very settled. Too late for panicking: I am committed now to trying out my plans. Started washing a BIG bag of gravel and found myself thinking about limia melanogaster....

Also, the readings in disaster tank are better. My main panic has been the thought that any nitrites following the ammonia would come in the week that we are away, but there aren't any signs of one and the ammonia has gone right down. Will be adding salt before I go, just in case (only got platies in there, so they won't mind).

 

[trace1]

nice 1 glad you feeling better bout it now you will have to post some pics when you get it all sorted