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With all the stresses and crazy things going on in my life right now, there's one thing that I can expend all my energy on - my aquarium.
As I had stated before, my new house came with an aquarium, which I had NO idea to take care of. However, after doing some web searches, buying a couple books, and observation at pet stores I've learned how to properly care for my tank.
Now, it's become a slight obsession. I go to the pet store about 3-4 times a week - just to go and look at the other fish (all of which are MUCH smaller than mine), see what aquarium products are out there, to try and figure out what aquarium products I have (it's how I figured out that I have an undergravel filter), what kind of foods my fish will enjoy (I want to give my kids a lot of variety) and to play with the puppies there. I love puppies. Why couldn't they have left a puppy????
But I admit, I'm really started to fall in love with these little guys. I've learned how to not make them hide behind the plants when I come by (they don't like sudden movements), and that they love eating in the afternoon, rather than in the morning. They'll actually come up to the front of the tank and stare me down, as if saying, "Hey Christine...it's time to feed us! What the hell are you waiting for!?!"
I've done several water changes over the last weekends, thanks to the help of my assistants - Fatima, Claudine and Dave. As I got used to it, I was less grossed out by the thought of contaminating myself with the decayed fish crap and decayed food that I was pulling up through my siphon (and also getting all over my arms). I was on a mission to clean that damn tank, and lower those stupid nitrates. As well as get rid of the brown gunky algae that was growing on the tank decorations. I swear, I stress over this tank more than I stress over work.
I've messed up one side of my filter because I didn't notice that I dropped a tube down the tank and since the tank is in a weird place in the basement, I can't reach it. I'm waiting for my dad to build me a custom ladder so I can get in and clean the other side of the tank.
But good thing is, my fish seem happy, more colorful and a lot more lively and playful.
This weekend - I change the filter. Wish me luck.
For now, here's the pics of my fish that I promised!
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nice tank! how do you get your fish to stay still? mine always end up blurry.:(
Posted by: chris on September 16, 2004 12:43 PMA placostomas (sp..this is phonetic) catfish will be your best friend Yano. Those guys really hoover up the sides and bottoms of an aquarium, and get pretty big too. If you don't already have one try a Pearl Gurami, they actually seem to have personality and are beautiful! And black Angelfish are really dramatic. Don't go overboard on the flakes or your catfish will start to look like something from "Jurassic Park"....have fun!
SusanG
Posted by: SusanG on September 16, 2004 02:23 PMthe fish look so happy! i like the picture of frankie by himself the best, it looks like he's smiling when he opens his mouth at the camera.
Posted by: marie on September 16, 2004 06:22 PMthey look like they're posing for you! LOL
Posted by: chattykathy on September 16, 2004 07:18 PMEver think about getting a alage eater?? They keep the algae outbreak down a bit and plus, they look pretty cool when their lips are pressed up the glass.
Angelfishes rock!! We used to cut on some R.Kelly and they would stop and sway with the music. It was tight.
Posted by: Luna on September 16, 2004 09:24 PM*bloop*bloop*bloop*
those are bubble noises, if ya didn't know. hehehe... pretty fishes... i especially like Frank. hehehe...
Definitely get an algae eater.
Fugly will have stiff competition for the name if you do that.
Posted by: Noelle on September 17, 2004 10:25 AMI heard algae eaters grow up to be big and aggressive, and I have wimpy, skittish fish.
We'll see. This algae problem is gonna kill me!
Posted by: Yano on September 17, 2004 01:48 PMNope. They get along pretty good with other fish. They get aggressive with another algae eaters.
Posted by: Luna the fish geek on September 17, 2004 04:09 PMAwww, I miss having a fish tank. Unfortunately, we don't have enough room to have a tank. When I had my aquarium, I was obsessed with it also (still am). I'm glad you've learned how to take care of your fish. They're great stress relievers.
Posted by: Lissa on September 19, 2004 09:17 AM
