Hello and Welcome All!

atmmachine816 · March 10th, 2007

Wow, now that's interesting, thanks. Sounds like there's a lot of excitement going on up there. I want to move up to Alaska now. Is everything more expensive there?

tan.b · March 10th, 2007

i's never have considered going to alaska, but since reading susitna-flowers posts i'd certainly consider it now! ....thats when i've been everywhere else and got some cash!!!!...could be a while :

. this forum teaches you alot!!
Tan

Jim · March 10th, 2007

I've always wanted to visit Alaska, but I start whining when the temp drops to under 70 degrees... I'd die even in the summer up there!!!

atmmachine816 · March 10th, 2007

My mom wants to go to alaska later, maybe I can convince her to move there with me. I don't like really warm temperatures. 70's is about as hot as I like it, especially since I run a lot the hot air I can't breath well in. I don't mind the cold, just bundle up

tan.b · March 10th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

I've always wanted to visit Alaska, but I start whining when the temp drops to under 70 degrees... I'd die even in the summer up there!!!

i dont do cold either!!! it'd have to be a heat wave in summer!!!!!!!!!

tan.b · March 10th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmmachine

My mom wants to go to alaska later, maybe I can convince her to move there with me.* I don't like really warm temperatures.* 70's is about as hot as I like it, especially since I run a lot the hot air I can't breath well in.* I don't mind the cold, just bundle up

ooooooooooooooh no i dont do cold! i prefer warm!!!!! but i dont do running!!!

susitna-flower · March 10th, 2007

*I have a daughter and son-in-law that run. *I guess it is whatever you are comfortable with. *Some folks would think running at 60 F would be bad. *My daughter ran high school and college x-country, as well as skiing for both. *She lives out in Bethel AK, and all but the most severe days she still uses running to keep in shape.

One thing about AK is that the weather never gets boring. * This week things have warmed up, it is sunny, still a wind, but the temp is +30 F days. * It feels like a heat wave and folks are out enjoying the sun. * My son is planning a 4 day outing on his snow machine this week as it is spring break. *

I just got back from Fairbanks, where I went to a really nice fish store! *Fairbanks has two military bases, lots of people move in and out and I thought I might be able to find a used fish tank, since I just can't help myself but get a lovely fish when I meet it!

*Any way I looked in their local paper and lo and behold there it was! a 55 gal with accessories for $50. *I called and someone had just bought it!

*So when I went to the fish store, I related my plight to the attendant, and he said they had a tank with a "little damage" , the plastic frame was cracked on one corner, that he would sell me for $50.00 *

*So I came home with a new 50 gal tank, and two new parkonsoni rainbow fish, 5 algae eating shrimp, 3 otos, and 3 sunset fire platys. * * *It is a 5 1/2 hour drive from Fairbanks home, so I had them pack my fish in larger than normal bags, with more water, then I put them in a box with 2 chemical handwarmers I got from a local sporting good store. * I got home and they were in really vigorous condition. *Better than when I bring them up from Wasilla, only 1 1/2 hours away. * So NOW I know what I will do any time I go to the fish store, take some of those hand warmers along!

So now that I have found this site and have an idea of more places on line for filters etc., instead of having to just buy at my LFS, I can afford to have more tanks. *The guy up in Fairbanks said that isn't MTS ,....you are an Aquaholic! * *You have to go to meetings and everything!

Fish in the Frozen North. * *8)

susitna-flower · March 10th, 2007

ATM, last night when I wrote my first note, I miss named that snowmachine race....It is the Iron DOG, I guess I was once again thinking about that lady musher Dee Dee Jonrowe, SHE as part of getting ready for this years Ididarod had competed in the Hawaii Iron Man race. Which had her in the best physical shape of her life. This was the 25th time she had done the Ididarod, had come in as high as second, and hoped this would be her year.

As for the cost of things up here. Many things probably are higher. I paid $2.19 /gal for gas up in Fairbanks yesterday. That is why I was looking for a bargin in my tank, because any time you buy something it has had to be shipped up here! When you are talking about FEDEX, UPS or USPS, it doesn't make a lot of difference, it does some, but not enough to stop us buying what we want. But...for large items that have to come up from Seattle, on a barge, it takes 3 weeks, and the cost does add on to every item.

However, wages are higher in many cases. Our economy is driven by different factors than what effects the lower 48. When oil prices are high at the well head, it is bad for you, good for us. We don't pay state taxes, and the oil money pays for our state government operation.

One BIG new employer is a brand new Hospital in Wasilla, the whole health care industry is really hurting for workers. Another one is a brand new Prison being built 30 miles out of Wasilla, currently most of our prisoners are housed outside in Arizona, these will pump big $$$ into the area. You have heard about the "Bridge to NOWHERE"? One of them is going to go across the Cook Inlet from Anchorage to connect up to a road that this prison is being built on. It accesses the whole western side of our Borough (county), that will cut hours off the drive for anyone comming down the George Parks Highway from Fairbanks and south, that is headed to Anchorage. I can assure you it is a bridge to build the future on. Wasilla is the second fastest growing city in the US!! Housing and smaller businesses are just as vigorous. Well I am going on........

Fish in the Frozen North. 8)

tan.b · March 11th, 2007

you got a bargain tank in the end then susitna-flower! have you set it up yet? hope all goes well!! i'm def an aquaholic!!! i'll be going to meetings and doing the whole " my name is tan, i am an aquaholic, i have been without an lfs for 2 days now......."!!! lol! let us know how you get on with it and what you're putting in it!!

atmmachine816 · March 11th, 2007

drs. foster and smith.com thatpetplace bigals marinedepot, just google what you want and things will come up, wil have to check if they send to Alaska.

wow that's interesting, Alaska sure gets a bad rep down here.

Got to go work on my SW tank, keep us posted on your tank.

susitna-flower · March 11th, 2007

Tan, I have to wait to set it up

for our next pay check. Then I will order my filter and substrate. Plants a few days later, then my big plan is to get it cycled and put all my fish over for a day and clean house on my existing tank. Its been up for 2 years, and needs it.

While I'm at it I may order a new filter for my current tank, and in house cleaning do away with my underground filter. This may distroy my plants that are growing in that tank since I'm sure their roots are happily growing down through the filter...But my theory is that it will be easier to vacuum the gravel without the UG filter set up. I know many folks don't approve of the undergravel filter system, but it has worked wonderfully for me, but then I did attach an extra powerhead to pull water through the gravel and circulate it, and didn't just rely on the air bubble system.

Fish in the Frozen North -5F and sunny 8)

tan.b · March 11th, 2007

i guess its that old patience thing again! that word crops up alot with fishkeeping!!! bet you cant wait and lok at it longingly everytime you walk past it!!! i do with the leaky one in the garage pending repair!!
i dread to think what a 2 yr tank looks like when its stripped down!! my 45 gal was pretty gammy when i emptied that into the 2x28gals!! and that was only a month or so old!!
bear with me as you lost me a little........are the fish going into the new tank temporarily just until the original tank is restored to its former glory, or are they moving into the new tank permanently?either way.....any plans as to what new fish you're getting to fill the newly available space? or are you that overstocked that by the time you re-arrange all the fish they'll be about full anyway? (i dont know the sizes of fish you've got to have any idea of how many gals they need!)

have fun!!!

tan

susitna-flower · March 11th, 2007

I know it is really going to be a mess when I clean that old tank! I've done it in times past. I am going to move the fish temporarily, then clean old tank, when it is ready to go again I will split the fish between both tanks. Should be just about right then. With new filters on both tanks, I should be able to cut water changes down considerably.

Then I still plan to get another larger tank to put some of my fish in, like the bala sharks which can potentially get very large. Until that time, I will start going to those meetings we talked about to try to break my addiction to buying fish......

While up in Fairbanks at that new (to me) store, I did fall in love with a tank they had for sale, it will just take several months, and lots of convincing of my husband.....It is a 180 gal with overflows in both corners!!! This is what I want IF I build my own, and could eliminate the need to start that project until I have more room and floor stability to build the big one.---That's right we might just have to build onto our house first! What ends WILL aquaholics go to? :

Fish in the Frozen North Warmed up to +10 now. 8)

atmmachine816 · March 11th, 2007

Well jeez, you write a lot in all your posts.

Sounds like you have a lot of work to do, what type of filter you interested in?

10degrees, it's not that cold

50degrees here by the great lakes

tan.b · March 11th, 2007

susitna-flower.....you'll have to buy a semi detached house.....you live in one half.....the fish in the other half....make sure if their dif sizes the fish get the bigger half!!!! failing that........an extention! good luck

Tan

tan.b · March 11th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmmachine

Well jeez, you write a lot in all your posts.

Sounds like you have a lot of work to do, what type of filter you interested in?

10degrees, it's not that cold

50degrees here by the great lakes

ATMmachine.....just a theory, but girls always write more than boys and although it doesnt say male or female where it says your names i'd bet susitna is a girl and you're a boy!!!! same with the phone.....girls will talk for hours, boys give yes no answers and then hang up!! just a theory but it's usually right!!!!!!!!!! i have no idea why this is?!!!!!!!!!!....and i'm writing loads now and i'm a girl!!!!

57F, 14C here today!!! wahay......spring is here.....

susitna-flower · March 11th, 2007

LOL !!! You are so right, I talk a lot. You must forgive, yes girl ? (50+)

When you are young you move so fast, whether running or just going from one project to the next, you don't take time to savor communication. Well I have all the time in the world, and hopefully you find it interesting enough to wade through!

I plan on a new filter for both my old tank 55 gal, and new tank 50 gal. I am looking at either a Eheim or Fluval I'm not so concerned with cost as I will get them over the internet, what size would you suggest. I would even consider two filters for each tank. If there is a canister filter that you could suggest that would be better, feel free. I am up for any good recommendations. I am concerned with two considerations. #1. My power is off every night, so both gph and priming ease will be a consideration. #2 Noise should be very low because both tanks are in our living area.

Fish in the Frozen North. 8)

tan.b · March 12th, 2007

works everytime!!!!!!!!

same with handwriting. girls always have neat rounded writing and boys have messy thinner more erratic writing!! except my grandparents that have identical writing!!!

i have quite alot of time as i'm a stay at home mum, so although the kids keep me busy enough to not get bored, but enough time to come on fishlore!!! hopefully will go back to work part time soon though. the 5yr old at school full time now and the 2 yr old just started pre-school one morn a week which will increase.

i always enjoy reading your threads...so feel free to type as much as you like. i'll always have time to read them!!!

i'm not at all experienced in filters i'm afraid

. the 15 gal was a kit so it just came with a filter. the stingray filter thats in it is good, but they dont come in sizes big enough for big tanks. in the 28 gal tanks i just got what ever was cheap and did the job at the lfs! i wanted an airline in it which is adjustable as bubbles are always good to help with airation and circulation etc, but wanted the option to turn them down or off if the fish didnt like it! they're both quiet which is essential for us too as the tanks are in the corner of the lounge right next to the sofa, so you dont want alot of noise in your ear while watching tv! they're all easy to take apart and clean and all have replacement filters readily available. the fluval the lfs talked highly of, but it was the most expensive (over £40) and didnt seem any dif to the one got for less than half the price, so i think he was looking at his sales more than anything else! mine's guarunteed for 3 years so thats worth looking out for! better than the usual 1 yr warranty! i'd never heard of them before, but in my 28 gals i have an "aqua flow 3" and the other 28 gal has a "cascade 600" (the cascade has 3yr warranty). never seen them before or heard of them before, but they were cheap and seem to do the job!! (about £15 each...not sure on exchange rate and how that compares?). there's a board somewhere on fishlore that has reviews on filters etc i think? see whats on there!!!

anyway, have fun!!!

Tan

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