I can has a fish tank!

[Amethyst Hunter]

My SIL got a spifftastic shiny new 39-gallon fish tank yesterday. And because she is made of awesomeness, she ever so kindly hath bestowed upon me her old 29-gallon tank! :D

It needs a good cleaning out (hard water = calcium encrustations) and a couple of (somewhat expensive) new supplies, and a shot of sealant in one area near the top where it has a small leak. But other than that, it's in good shape.

I just wish I had the money now to get it going. :rolleyes: But I now have what I've been wanting for a while: a bigger tank, which will = more fishies! (Currently all I have are the three bettas in their separate jars and the Bastard Gourami in my 5-gallon.)

*seat-dances*

[the_std]

You know what you do? You get a boat, paddle the boat out into the middle of a river or lake, and then you say, "Heeeeeeeeeeeere, fishy fishy fishy fishy!" over and over again.

Then, in no time, you'll have plenty of stock for your new tank! Yay! FEESH!

[Amethyst Hunter]

Fish are friends - AND food. :devil:

[Jester]

My very first pets when I was a kid were tropical fish. And through them I discovered something very important:

I should NEVER have a pet that has an environment that I have to clean for said pet's survival! http://www.spokanestreetracing.com/forums/images/smiles/sad1.gif

Which is why as an adult I've stuck to cats!

[Amethyst Hunter]

My very first pets when I was a kid were tropical fish. And through them I discovered something very important...Which is why as an adult I've stuck to cats!

Well, it depends on the size of your tank. Through my own trial and error I've learned that it's better to have as big a tank as you can afford. Cleaning them too often actually upsets the biological bacteria balance (i.e., the 'good' bacteria) and can make the fish sick/die. I had a ten-gallon once that I was cleaning out once every week, and I could never get anything besides those cheapie feeder goldfish to survive in it. :( (Naturally the goldfish lived for years while everything else - save a betta or two - went to that giant fish pond in the sky within a week) You're better off only changing a small portion of the water (again, depends on tank size and how filthy the water is) and going for longer periods of time without doing so.

With Bastard Gourami, he's still small (about 2 inches) and since he's the only occupant of his tank, I can let those cleanings go for a while. Gouramis are fairly hardy and can tolerate most water conditions, so long as they aren't horribly bad. Ditto for bettas - though I really, really wish that you could keep multiple males in a community tank! (Can't though, or they'll rip each other to shreds)

I have to hide my three bettas from plain sight, or my Sam cat will attack without mercy. (This is the cat who likes to DROWN his mice-catches in the water dish, folks. He has a penchant for varying his execution methods!) He's seriously smart: I had a betta once in Florida that he saw me move just one time, and that very night, bam, he was up on the counter knocking her jar off it trying to get to her (she survived; I had her up until about September of last year when she finally went from old age). And every time I've tried to put the betta jars someplace I think is safe, he's always right there kicking at the jars. :p So the bettas are hidden on a covered shelf for now, till I can figure out something better...as long as Sam doesn't know where they are, they're safe for the time being!

One of the reasons I love cats so much (hell, do you even really need a reason? They're cats! :D ) is that they're so easy to take care of. Just give them good food, clean water, clean crap-box, and lots of lovin', and they're good to go. :)

[Jester]

Cleaning them too often actually upsets the biological bacteria balance (i.e., the 'good' bacteria) and can make the fish sick/die.

I was in grade school, and I cleaned the tank so rarely that the sides of the tank got greenish and gunky, the water level dropped to a very low level, and most of the fish died. And this was a tank that was kept by my bedside, so it's not like I could miss it! I love tropical fish, I do, as I grew up with my father having them, but I am not the type of person that can give them the proper care. The more independent a pet is, the better that pet is for me. Hence cats! (That and I am a cat guy.)

One of the reasons I love cats so much (hell, do you even really need a reason? They're cats! :D ) is that they're so easy to take care of. Just give them good food, clean water, clean crap-box, and lots of lovin', and they're good to go. :)

Don't even need the litter box if you have inside/outside or outside cats. I am a firm believer in giving cats access to the outdoors, as they are natural hunters, and I do not feel it is my right to deprive them of their nature. Which is why I also will not declaw my cats. (Though I do believe in neutering spaying. But there's only so much you can take from a cat!) I know that a lot of people worry, and have said to my face, that doing this could very well result in the cat getting killed a thousand different ways. Well, yes. But everything dies, and there are many ways a cat could die without ever going outside. But I believe that cats would rather take the chance of death in the great outdoors than be confined to a small apartment/house/area without being able to go outside, be able to roam, or be able to hunt prey. You may not agree with me, and that's fine. That is just my view on cats.

[Amethyst Hunter]

I was in grade school, and I cleaned the tank so rarely that the sides of the tank got greenish and gunky, the water level dropped to a very low level, and most of the fish died. And this was a tank that was kept by my bedside, so it's not like I could miss it! I love tropical fish, I do, as I grew up with my father having them, but I am not the type of person that can give them the proper care.

Ahh, the infamous algae bloom. Every aquarist has at least one in their career...

The more independent a pet is, the better that pet is for me. Hence cats! (That and I am a cat guy.)

You score major points for this. :highfive:

Unfortunately, you are also a hater of cold weather and the pretty, pretty white stuff (aka snow). You lose major points for this.

So it all evens out in the end. :lol:

I am a firm believer in giving cats access to the outdoors, as they are natural hunters, and I do not feel it is my right to deprive them of their nature. Which is why I also will not declaw my cats. (Though I do believe in neutering spaying. But there's only so much you can take from a cat!) I know that a lot of people worry, and have said to my face, that doing this could very well result in the cat getting killed a thousand different ways. Well, yes. But everything dies, and there are many ways a cat could die without ever going outside. But I believe that cats would rather take the chance of death in the great outdoors than be confined to a small apartment/house/area without being able to go outside, be able to roam, or be able to hunt prey. You may not agree with me, and that's fine. That is just my view on cats.

I can kinda see where you're coming from on that, as people let their farm cats run around loose up here for much the same reason - that, and it's just accepted 'tradition' to let animals be outside. However, I am still going to disagree politely with you on the main point, because I believe there's a HUGE difference between dying quietly indoors (assuming the pets don't get into something nasty like household cleaners or chewing electrical cords) and dying a horrible and painful death outdoors (human cruelty, getting hit by vehicles, drinking antifreeze, catching diseases/parasites, etc.). Yes, animals can and do pick up things while indoors, but statistically speaking, they are FAR less likely to experience anything bad living an indoor life. And in my experience, they really don't seem to care much whether they live inside or outside, so long as they have their necessities and plenty of attention from their humans. As for the hunting instincts, that's why cat toys were invented and why rodents are dumb enough to sneak inside housing. (I have had two pairs of mousers over the years and they had a ball laying waste to any and every mouse that set foot over our threshold)

I have had both types of cats, and I wish that they had all been indoors. The outdoor ones got into fights, got run over by cars, or possibly eaten by coyotes (or worse). The indoor ones have all lived long and fairly happy lives without much incident other than health-related problems that were inevitable as a result of old age.

Kudos for not declawing, and for doing the spay/neuter though! It drives me insane how many people think it's okay to declaw and worry more about that than they do about the horrible effects of not spaying/neutering. (Kids, declawing is NOT pretty, and puts the cat in lifelong pain - it's akin to chopping off your fingers at the topmost knuckle. Since cats actually walk on their tippytoes and not on the whole of their feet, this is incredibly uncomfortable, and most declawed cats will turn to biting without provocation as compensation for the loss. And yes, I speak from bitter experience when my mom had one of mine declawed in the front feet against my express warnings. As for spaying/neutering, think of how many animals can be born in a single litter, and how quickly they can reproduce even when they're still not yet adults. Then think of how many of those likely wind up in animal shelters and/or have to be euthanized because they can't be adopted out. There's no excuse for that kind of misery IMO.)

[Jester]

You score major points for this.

Unfortunately, you are also a hater of cold weather and the pretty, pretty white stuff (aka snow). You lose major points for this.

So it all evens out in the end.

Ah, but you forget, I am also a magician, a Minister in the Beer Church (and a legally ordained minister to boot), a disc jockey, a bartender, a cyclist, a romantic, and a cook. Certainly THOSE get major points!

(Yes, I could bring up my negative points too, but hey, I'm on a roll--why ruin a good thing?)

However, I am still going to disagree politely with you on the main point, because I believe there's a HUGE difference between dying quietly indoors (assuming the pets don't get into something nasty like household cleaners or chewing electrical cords) and dying a horrible and painful death outdoors (human cruelty, getting hit by vehicles, drinking antifreeze, catching diseases/parasites, etc.).

And I will disagree with you politely in this sense: I don't tell people what they should do with their cats re the indoor outdoor thing. I HATE when people lecture me about the whole outdoor thing. I just think my cats have been happier when they have had access to the outside and more area to roam. I know that there is an inherent risk, but life involves risks, both for felines and humans.

And I am glad we can keep this disagreement polite, and not in the lecturing/preaching mode I've seen it get into before.

While I am emphatically against declawing cats, I rarely make a point of it with people who have declawed their cats, as they tend to be clueless anyway, or stuck in their ways, and aren't likely to listen anyway.

[Camry178]

Good luck with the tank!!! I've had a 29 gallon tank for about 8 years now and I love my tropical fish. Freshwater of course, I don't have the time or patience for saltwater.

My favorites are my clown loaches, they're fun to watch. I also have some black-skirt tetras, harlequin rasboras, cherry barbs, and zebra danios.

I also have a leopard gecko, a hamster, a cocker spaniel, and a pit bull. If I were rich, I'd live on a farm.:lol:

Oh, and I love cats too, but I'm extremely allergic to them. But that doesn't stop me from petting them any chance I get. Just have to quickly wash my hands right after.:D

[Amethyst Hunter]

Ah, but you forget, I am also a magician, a Minister in the Beer Church (and a legally ordained minister to boot), a disc jockey, a bartender, a cyclist, a romantic, and a cook. Certainly THOSE get major points!

Lessee here...

Neutral on the magic, since I haven't seen any and probably about the last time I saw any type of magic show was when my mom videotaped a David Copperfield off the TV. In, like, 1990 or thereabouts. It's cool and all, it's just not something I'd go out of my way to watch, personally.

Beer does nothing for me - I hate the smell of it and that alone puts me right off ever wanting to taste it. (I have tasted beer and was not impressed. I'm a wine person.)

DJ - depends on what kind of music you play. Some things I would just as soon as take the nearest shotgun to as opposed to making my ears bleed.

Cyclist - I'm a couch potato more often than not. 'Nuff said. :lol:

Romantic - Would get points...except that I'm asexual and have absolutely no interest in romance or dating or anything thereabouts. Just the way I'm wired. *shrug*

Cooking will earn you extra points though - but be careful. I'm VERY picky about food. (Hamburger, for instance, I *despise* and have NEVER touched since I was about 5 years old. No lie. However, I love steak. Yes, I'm weird.)

So, to a person who's into all of those things, you WOULD score major points. Just not with me, I'm afraid. ;)

Good luck with the tank!!! I've had a 29 gallon tank for about 8 years now and I love my tropical fish. Freshwater of course, I don't have the time or patience for saltwater.

Oh, and I love cats too, but I'm extremely allergic to them. But that doesn't stop me from petting them any chance I get. Just have to quickly wash my hands right after.:D

I love watching saltwaters, but given the mixed luck I've had with freshwaters, there's no way I'd ever manage to keep any saltwater fishes alive longer than .2 seconds so I don't dare ever attempt it. :lol: That tank chemistry is way more complicated than freshwater, at least from what I've read about it.

I will probably get another gourami (just so Bastard Gourami has some competition, heh heh), and some platies and swordtails. I'm still researching what kinds I like the best (and what I can keep alive, heh).

I'm allergic to animal dander in general, but that's never stopped me from having pets. I once had an allergist tell me I should get rid of them. My polite response was "That's not an option", but inside I was going "oh HELL no I won't!" :wave:

If I could afford to (financially and time-wise), and had the space, I would totally fill it with critters of all kinds. Animals rule. :D

[Jester]

So, to a person who's into all of those things, you WOULD score major points. Just not with me, I'm afraid.

Okay, so you're not into a lot of that, but hey, I get no bonus points for the utter coolness of being all those things rolled into one short, goofy-looking, devilishly charming package? :lol:

[Amethyst Hunter]

I get no bonus points for the utter coolness of being all those things rolled into one short, goofy-looking, devilishly charming package? :lol:

As they say:

"This thread is worthless without photographic evidence." :D

[Jester]

"This thread is worthless without photographic evidence."

Hey, it's all pretty much covered in my avatar, which pretty much is the South Park version of me!

[protege]

I still miss my fishies :( When I was younger, I had plenty; zebras, minnows (from Grandma's farm, no less), goldfish, tetras, angel fish (never had good luck with them), and swordtails. It was sooo relaxing to watch them swim around. Cleaning out their 10-gallon home was not. I'd like another tank for my home office...but I'm sure it would drive the kitties nuts :p

[Amethyst Hunter]

I still miss my fishies :( When I was younger, I had plenty; zebras, minnows (from Grandma's farm, no less), goldfish, tetras, angel fish (never had good luck with them), and swordtails. It was sooo relaxing to watch them swim around. Cleaning out their 10-gallon home was not. I'd like another tank for my home office...but I'm sure it would drive the kitties nuts :p

All that in a *10-gallon*?! :eek: (Unless I'm mistaken here...) No wonder the angels didn't do so well!

I'd like to get some angelfish, but from what I hear they're temperamental and get big (6+ inches). Pretty critters though...

I'm not as worried about the cats going after this new tank as I would be with my bettas. Because the bettas will beat each other up if they were all in one tank, I have to keep them in separate jars. Problem is, I have to keep the jars hidden because if I don't, my one cat will go after them like mosquitoes to fresh blood - he has a talent for finding and knocking them over in an attempt to get at the fish (the lids are screw-on, so he can't, but because the lids (plastic) have air holes drilled into them, the water would drain out). At least the aquarium has a good lid on it and can't be tipped over. (I keep the Bastard Gourami in a 5-gallon and never once has either cat ever bothered it)

[protege]

All that in a *10-gallon*?! :eek: (Unless I'm mistaken here...) No wonder the angels didn't do so well!

Hehe not at the same time. I don't know why the angels never did well--it seemed that as soon as I'd get them, they'd be dead within a week :( However, those cheap "feeder" goldfish and the minnows lived forever. I don't remember much about the zebras, but I do know that we accidentally bred the swordtails. At first, I had a pair. After a month or two, I had several pairs more :lol: As a little kid, it was cool to see that. Didn't last though--after they were grown, we sold most of them to the pet store.

When I first got that tank years ago, I had tropical fish. Eventually though, it got to be a pain trying to keep their water temperature within range. At the time, their home was in my parents' family room...which was occasionally drafty in the winter. Actually, it was downright cold in there at times!

[Amethyst Hunter]

Hehe not at the same time. I don't know why the angels never did well--it seemed that as soon as I'd get them, they'd be dead within a week :( However, those cheap "feeder" goldfish and the minnows lived forever.

Oh yeah, Fishkeeping Rule #1: The more expensive it is, the sooner you will be sending it off to that great fishbowl in the sky. :lol:

I don't remember much about the zebras, but I do know that we accidentally bred the swordtails. At first, I had a pair. After a month or two, I had several pairs more :lol:

Yeah, swordtails and platys (and guppies too!) will breed like crazy if the conditions are right enough. I may get a few of these just to see what they'll do.

When I first got that tank years ago, I had tropical fish. Eventually though, it got to be a pain trying to keep their water temperature within range. At the time, their home was in my parents' family room...which was occasionally drafty in the winter. Actually, it was downright cold in there at times!

I've never used a heater in any tank I've ever had, although according to some accounts, you're supposed to. But I've never had any major problems with temperature, since whatever house we were living in at the time usually stayed pretty even inside whatever the season outdoors. Depending on what I get for this new tank, I may have to use a heater, but I think I could probably still get away with it, as our current place is really good about retaining heat even in wintertime.