handy-andy Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 An introduction seems like a civilized thing to do! I've been keeping freshwater tropical fish for over ten years (not sure exactly how long). Made all the usual mistakes, like killing off practically my entire first stock of fish through a highly original maintenance regime of overfeeding and complete failure to do any water changes. My stock includes two clown loaches, a silver shark, and a plecostomus - all these guys are at least six years old. I used to be quite proud of this until I found out it was in spite of me, rather than because of me, that they'd lasted so well. This I discovered when I introduced a couple of new fish, and they died within a couple of days. The old tank inhabitants had obviously gotten used to my gradually deteriorating water conditions! I figured out that keeping a regular maintenance routine would be a good idea (genius! ), instead of wildly sporadic water changes and cleaning out the filter once a year (when it literally stopped because it was so gunked up). After sticking to a weekly water change and monthly filter cleaning, I suddenly got fantastic, sustained plant growth (which I'd never succeeded in doing before). And new fish introduced (a couple of Angels, a pair of Kribensis) have even survived. I should be ashamed to say it took me about eight years to figure this out :oops: I've also kept Oscars, and Blue Acaras over the years. Always regret selling the Tiger Oscar (he was chocolate and gold with beautiful markings), but my Mum (who was "fishsitting" my tank at the time while I went flatting) got upset when he ate two of his tankmates. So now I have a fairly standard community tank. Not very original I know but I guess that's why it's a standard - non aggressive community tank fish are interesting to watch, easy to keep, and don't eat each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Didn't seem TOO silly handy-andy. Surprised the clown loaches survived tho. Where are you located?? Don't say at the computer either. Welcome to the funny farm, we are all nuts in here. Must be to keep fish, well that's what the wife says anyway. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Welcome handy-andy, I'm sure you will learn lots on this forum and there's a heap of fun ppl on here too. :bounce: :bounce: Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monaro1 Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 i didnt take 8 years but it did take me a few to get it sorted. so you are not alone. .the original stock must be quite large now or are they a bit stunted because of the lack of water changes and so on. hope that it all goes well welcome to the fish rooms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handy-andy Posted January 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Thanks for the welcome. So that's what those fields in the 'profile'are for. I didn't get past the technical sounding ones ... I'm in Christchurch, where we're blessed with artesian well tap water. Perhaps that's why my fish managed to hang in there without a more defined maintenance routine! The silver shark and pleco are a pretty good size (about 10 to 12cm), and one of my clown loaches is about 9cm or so. The other loach is the same age but about half the size. I always seem to find with a pair (of any type) one fish dominates the other and outgrows it by a considerable amount, as seems to be happening with my recently acquired (18 months) angels. The clown loaches once numbered four, so perhaps it's been survival of the fittest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Hi and welcome. I too used to have blue acaras years ago. The few I have seen these days don't seem to be as brightly coloured as I remember ours being though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted January 22, 2006 Report Share Posted January 22, 2006 Hi & welcome! This site is fantastic...I still browse the web for info...but always, always, come here for advice...they are the best here...great people. I've only had fish since March of 2005...but have learned lots here and still have lots to learn. Take care and happy fishing (keeping, that is) Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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