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May 20th, 2007
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Fish Bum
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Is keeping fish this hard?????
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May 20th, 2007
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Fish Keeper
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
what do you mean...if you meant you just thought you could fill up a fish bowl with tap water and drop a big ol' goldfish in there without heater or filter then yes..it would be more complicated then you thought.
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May 20th, 2007
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Fish Keeper
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by dacota34
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i don't know that i call it hard, but it isn't "work free" either.
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May 20th, 2007
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
What about it do you feel is hard or complicated? It is work, but rest assured there are a lot of people here to help us new fishkeepers get up to speed on the good information. It won't be long before it doesn't feel so complicted, just work that's worth the rewards. |
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May 20th, 2007
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Fish Keeper
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
It's not that hard.  |
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May 21st, 2007
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Fish Mentor
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
I think Fishkeeping will be hard if you dont take an interest and liking to it.
It isn't all that hard, but it has its work. |
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May 22nd, 2007
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Fish Mentor
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
The hard part is IF you jump into fishkeeping without learning the best way to do things, then start having problems. All the advice given here is tested and true..... The work can be lots less if you do the fishless cycle as described in the Fish Tank Beginners Guide link at the bottom of the page. It allows the tank to get what would be TOXIC to fish without harm, and get those bacteria colonies thriving. So once the ammonia and nitrite go down to 0, you can then safely introduce fish and not do the copious numbers of water changes.
The cycle time can also be shortened with addition of a bacteria like Bio Spira from DRS. Foster/Smith. , or the use of filter material or gravel from an established tank. HOWEVER if you choose not to take the advice, it can cause lots of work to try to save the lives of the fish you purchase without regard to tested practices.
Research the fish you want to keep, make sure the size tank is appropriate for the full grown fish, keeping in mind the rule of thumb, 1" per gallon. Then if you add fish to a fully cycled tank, with water paramiters of ammonia, and nitrite 0 and nitrate 5-10, your new fish should be happy, and stress free. 
Good Luck
Land of the Midnight Sun 8)
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May 22nd, 2007
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Fish Keeper
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
It can sound complicated and overwhelming when you first start, but it overall isn't that bad. Of course...that also depends on the fishkeeper. For example, when I talk to my mom on the phone and mention how I have to do something for the tank (test water, replace filter media, scrape algae, etc), she usually comments on how she's glad she doesn't have to do that work and sometimes asks if I ever regret getting the tank. Really though? I don't mind all of that stuff! No regrets at all. |
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May 22nd, 2007
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Fish Master
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
I found it quite hard. They definitely don't deserve the reputation as low maintenance pets. I'd discourage it if you're not ready to put in some hours, especially at the beginning.
I also thought you just plomped them in the water and voila! But you need to watch your water parameters, there's the nitrogen cycle you need to get through in a new tank, do loads of reading on what's normal, regularly change that water, and you need to develop an eye for disease.
Funny thing I've found is the more hours I invest in my fish, the more I get attached to them! Right now I am so attached it's off the scales.
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May 22nd, 2007
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Fish Master
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by susitna-flower
* The hard part is IF you jump into fishkeeping without learning the best way to do things, then start having problems.* * All the advice given here is tested and true..... * The work can be lots less if you do the fishless cycle as described in the Fish Tank Beginners Guide link at the bottom of the page.* * It allows the tank to get what would be TOXIC to fish without harm, and get those bacteria colonies thriving.* * So once the ammonia and nitrite go down to 0, you can then safely introduce fish and not do the copious numbers of water changes.
The cycle time can also be shortened with addition of a bacteria like Bio Spira from DRS. Foster/Smith.* , or the use of filter material or gravel from an established tank.* * * *HOWEVER* *if you choose not to take the advice, it can cause lots of work to try to save the lives of the fish you purchase without regard to tested practices.
Research the fish you want to keep, make sure the size tank is appropriate for the full grown fish, keeping in mind the rule of thumb, 1" per gallon.* * Then if you add fish to a fully cycled tank, with water paramiters of ammonia, and nitrite 0 and nitrate 5-10, your new fish should be happy, and stress free.* * *
Good Luck
Land of the Midnight Sun 8)
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I would agree. Research, research, research. I really regret not taking more time in choosing my fish (and trusting the pet store's advice). |
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Bum
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by armadillo
.......... Right now I am so attached it's off the scales.
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LOL
I don't find it to be that hard, but like anything you do that's new, you have to learn the tricks of the trade to do it right. |
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Bum
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
I think it could be difficult if you don't really like it, then the "chores" become work and not fun. Everyone who responded has the right advice. If you have a good idea what your getting into and choose your fish wisely then you are going to have better luck. It doesn't have to be rocket science you just have to care about what your doing. Good Luck I have found it worth the effort!
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Master
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
Yeah, I think it's that hard for me because I didn't research properly and ended up with a massively overstocked tank with all the health problems that go with it.
Fish store called today and my 150L has arrived!!!! Soon the end of my problems (really want my poorly mollies to hold on and make it until then)
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Addict
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by Sarcastic
Quote:
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Originally Posted by armadillo
.......... Right now I am so attached it's off the scales.
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LOL
I don't find it to be that hard, but like anything you do that's new, you have to learn the tricks of the trade to do it right. |
And it's those tricks that take awhile to learn. I've learned that if you keep the tank clean from the start....it's a lot easier to take care of. Oh...and bigger tanks are more fun and more work. |
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Master
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by darkwolf29a
And it's those tricks that take awhile to learn. I've learned that if you keep the tank clean from the start....it's a lot easier to take care of. Oh...and bigger tanks are more fun and more work. |
More work? I thought bigger tanks were less work. I guess it's all relative. More buckets to carry around I guess. |
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Addict
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by armadillo
Quote:
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Originally Posted by darkwolf29a
And it's those tricks that take awhile to learn. I've learned that if you keep the tank clean from the start....it's a lot easier to take care of. Oh...and bigger tanks are more fun and more work. |
More work? I thought bigger tanks were less work. I guess it's all relative. More buckets to carry around I guess. |
They are less work, in the chemical makeup category...I mean, there's less to worry about in those terms, since the changes in the water happen more slowly. But....it's a bigger tank, and let's face facts...that is more work...but...it's easier to take care of, as there is more room for errors. When I was starting to build the 55 as a saltwater tank, everyone kept suggesting that I return the tank and get one bigger, since it's chemical make up is easier to take care of as you get bigger. More tank surface area to keep clean, etc. |
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Master
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
Yeah, that's really true. Vaccuuming will be 10x more work, right. As for water changes - bucket, bucket, bucket, ...
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June 1st, 2007
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Fish Addict
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Re: Is keeping fish this hard?????
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Originally Posted by armadillo
Yeah, that's really true. Vaccuuming will be 10x more work, right. As for water changes - bucket, bucket, bucket, ...
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LOL...true dat. But....it's more fun though. As the fish get bigger, there's more variety, etc. IMO, the work is worth the outcome. Besides, the more water I lift, the less weights I have to lift at the gym. LOL |
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