Post by lazylathe on Jun 25, 2023 13:12:31 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
I have been lurking for quite some time but wanted to join in on some conversations and offer help where I can!
Originally from South Africa, I worked in the largest pet store when I was younger and going through university and it was amazing experience that cost me my salary...
Working in a pet store can be dangerous for your wallet!
My first fish were a pair of goldfish I won at a church fair! No actual fish but a gift card for the setup and the instructions on setting up and cycling, a lot of info for a 7 year old!
Those two fish lived for over 10 years in a small plastic bowl. Breaks my heart now but that was in the very early eighties.
Once the goldfish passed away, my dad bought me a 2 foot tank setup!!
Under gravel filter, the works!
Took the tank apart once a month and washed everything with the garden hose, sand and all!!
Never lost a fish for years! Just added dechlorinator...
Again, just a kid.
As I grew up, I discovered my passion for reading!
I devoured fishkeeping books and bought any magazines I could to educate myself!
My next tanks were much better!
AquaClear filters changed everything for me and my fish were so much happier.
I used to breed a lot of fish in my room, had about 8 tanks at one stage and brine shrimp cultures bubbling all over!
Then moved onto a 4 foot community tank that went through various changes.
Discus for a year or two and then a reef tank!
Sold it all to buy a 6 foot tank that was my ocean tank.
Lots of live rock, tangs, red toothed triggerfish a snowflake moray and an African Lionfish.
Loved that tank!
It was shut down when I left South Africa in the early 2000's.
Then a 20 year hiatus and now back in the freshwater game again!
I started just as Covid was starting to makes it's rounds. Definitely not the best time!
I ended up with 3 tanks, a 30 gallon, a 35 gallon bowfront and a 50 gallon cube.
The bowfront was the community in the living room, the other 2 were in my office.
The 30G had Tiger Barbs, The 50G had Bichirs and a spotted leaf fish.
My wife wanted me to downsize to just one tank... What is this nonsense???
So I devised a cunning plan!!!I bought a 6 foot tank/125 gallons!!
Moved the bowfront out of the way and started to set it up. Added water, a heater and a powerhead to get it up to temp and some Prime.
It was ready the next day. Moved the bowfront filter to the new tank and added the fish.
Moved the 30G filter and Tiger barbs in as well as my other 50G friends.
Wife decided she did not like the Bichirs anymore and they had to go... Along with the Leaf fish.
Quieter tank now and it stayed that way for a while.
Just recently rescaped it and removed the Tiger Barbs, I am much happier now! Added some more fish and everyone is so much happier now that the Mafia has been relocated!
This is the tank today! Everything will grow back in and it will be a jungle in a months time again...
I have been lurking for quite some time but wanted to join in on some conversations and offer help where I can!
Originally from South Africa, I worked in the largest pet store when I was younger and going through university and it was amazing experience that cost me my salary...
Working in a pet store can be dangerous for your wallet!
My first fish were a pair of goldfish I won at a church fair! No actual fish but a gift card for the setup and the instructions on setting up and cycling, a lot of info for a 7 year old!
Those two fish lived for over 10 years in a small plastic bowl. Breaks my heart now but that was in the very early eighties.
Once the goldfish passed away, my dad bought me a 2 foot tank setup!!
Under gravel filter, the works!
Took the tank apart once a month and washed everything with the garden hose, sand and all!!
Never lost a fish for years! Just added dechlorinator...
Again, just a kid.
As I grew up, I discovered my passion for reading!
I devoured fishkeeping books and bought any magazines I could to educate myself!
My next tanks were much better!
AquaClear filters changed everything for me and my fish were so much happier.
I used to breed a lot of fish in my room, had about 8 tanks at one stage and brine shrimp cultures bubbling all over!
Then moved onto a 4 foot community tank that went through various changes.
Discus for a year or two and then a reef tank!
Sold it all to buy a 6 foot tank that was my ocean tank.
Lots of live rock, tangs, red toothed triggerfish a snowflake moray and an African Lionfish.
Loved that tank!
It was shut down when I left South Africa in the early 2000's.
Then a 20 year hiatus and now back in the freshwater game again!
I started just as Covid was starting to makes it's rounds. Definitely not the best time!
I ended up with 3 tanks, a 30 gallon, a 35 gallon bowfront and a 50 gallon cube.
The bowfront was the community in the living room, the other 2 were in my office.
The 30G had Tiger Barbs, The 50G had Bichirs and a spotted leaf fish.
My wife wanted me to downsize to just one tank... What is this nonsense???
So I devised a cunning plan!!!I bought a 6 foot tank/125 gallons!!
Moved the bowfront out of the way and started to set it up. Added water, a heater and a powerhead to get it up to temp and some Prime.
It was ready the next day. Moved the bowfront filter to the new tank and added the fish.
Moved the 30G filter and Tiger barbs in as well as my other 50G friends.
Wife decided she did not like the Bichirs anymore and they had to go... Along with the Leaf fish.
Quieter tank now and it stayed that way for a while.
Just recently rescaped it and removed the Tiger Barbs, I am much happier now! Added some more fish and everyone is so much happier now that the Mafia has been relocated!
This is the tank today! Everything will grow back in and it will be a jungle in a months time again...
