Why I know I am a fish junkie...

I just thought of starting this thread when I realized some things that I was doing that might seem strange to those not in the fish world (and probably some that are). Please add on as you feel fit.


1. I wash my hands before putting them into the fish tank, not afterwards.

2. Almost killed myself in my room last night because I didnt want to turn on the light and wake up my fishies.

3. Everyone waiting on me at the dinner table because "fish need to eat too you know!"

 

For 1/ Well you sound like a guy.
2/ That's a little extreme... most fish, especially tropical species are used to wheather patterns such as lightning etc so no need to go so far as hurting yourself just to not turn the lights on.
3/Fish can wait to be fed...

 

wow that's extreme. I don't think your fish will mind if your 1 - 2 hrs late with there food.

 

Then I am a fish junkie too. I won't turn the light on in my room after the tank lights are out and it's completely dark - I don't want to startle and therefore stress my fish. I will turn on a night lamp though Only after a night lamp has been on for a few minutes, will I turn the room lights on. This is gradual, not abrupt and sudden, and it doesn't stress the fish.

As for feeding fish, I am not this extreme - I believe they can wait an hour or two for food. And as for washing hands, I will USUALLY wash them too before putting them in a tank, BUT if I know my hands are clean and haven't been in contact with anything chemical, I won't bother washing them. As long as they haven't been in contact with something potentially toxic to fish, it's OK to put them in a tank.

 

Fish Junkie #3

1) I wear vinyl gloves in the tank (disposables) as it is protection for both the fish and me. Washing occurs before and after the gloves. (nurse in me I suppose)

2) No light for my rooms after the tank lights click off for the night, except the television and my desk light (dim) in the den. They are used to either and they do not stress. But the main lights are off when it is their bedtime.

3) I get up extra early in the morning to see that they have their first meals right away when the lights come on at 7:00 am. They get their second meal at 5:00 pm. It really kind of upsets me to get them much off schedule. The snails and Otos only get fed at the second feeding. (otherwise they do not do any algae eating at all)

I will fully admit my fish are very spoiled and run things around here at times. It doesn't hurt me any to give them the time and I have the time to spend indulging them. It is not something I would expect other people to do. My life is just a little more open to this than most folks are.

Rose

 

I too am a fish junky.  I fuss at my husband if he walks too hard across the floor cause it startles my fish. Any little bump or loud noise usually does.  If there is a bad storm and the electricity goes out, the first thing I do is check on my fish, make sure the air hoses are propped up higher so the water doesn't drain back to the pump, and generally just make sure they are okay. I have a battery operated reading light I keep by the tank that I clip on the stand to shine in the tank so I can babysit them till the lights come back on.   As for feeding time, if I go past their feeding time they will let me know. They almost line up at the front of the tank looking at me and act quite **** about it
Yes, I love my fish. I call them my little babies. The only problem is my Pomeranian, named "Baby", is quite jealous of them. She can't stand for me to sit in my little "fish watching chair" by the tank and watch and talk to the fish. She just looks at me likes she doesn't "get it".
If I could, I would install a fish tank that takes up my whole wall in the living room. But, alas, my husband won't permit it.

 

it is nice to know that there are others out there like me. (talking to them and spoiling them) Fish are some of the worst treated members of the animal kingdom and they need folks like the ones on this forum to make over them some.

Rose

 

well said rose

 

I can understand that, it may sound extreme but I guess it is kindness.

I usually if the room is a bit dI'm turn on a more distant soft light before turning on the fish tank light. My current fish freaks out if the light comes on suddenly.

 

I also have glo in the dark plants in my aquarium to provide a little light for a while after I turn the tank lights off. I'm looking into getting one of those moon lights to use at night.

 

moon lights... what are those?

 

They are lights that allow the aquarium owners to observe the movements of the fish in the dark and the fish are not supposed to be able to detect the light.  Some owners leave them on all night.  It mimics the cycle of sun/moon to have the bright lights on 12 hours and the moonlights on 12 hours.  They can be bought in many forms, some of which are suction cupped to the outside of the tank so you don't need to have a special light fixture for them.  They are not especially expensive. 





Rose

 

hmmm... sounds cool. I might get one.


Ok heres another one:

4. Just bought 5 used fish tanks (it was a real good deal I swear!) that are currently hidden in my basement... I have to slowly break this one to my parents.

 

Congratulations LOL Although as a parent myself, I can kind of feel for them. LOL What sizes are they? I wouldn't imagine they could be too huge if you are able to hide them. Have you decided what you want to do with them and where it is that you are going to try to put them.

Oh by the way, do you remember the collapsable aquarium that was for the patio on eBay? I found one like it on a site for my friend's business and ordered one. I suppose it will probably not be good for much more that goldfish here though. I cannot imagine how I would get filtration and heat to it so it is just plants or goldfish/plants. That is if I can find a place outside for it. I would love to just break down and have it inside, but I do not know how it would work with that fountain and I really do not have the room. Impulse buying!!!!! ARGH!!!!!

Rose

 

lol... yeah. three of them are ten gallons, one is 5.5 and one is 2.5. They all came with full hoods and two stands and it was all for $30! I couldnt resist. He was also trying to give me some guppies and platies and swordtails for free cuz hes got them out his ears but I was like "sorry the tanks aren't cycled... ill get back to you for them." So I think ill probably have some of those in the tanks and then I might set up a female betta tank (crossed fingers). Theres so many options though. I'm thinking of using the five gallon as a quarantine and the 2.5 to grow java moss real fast or something like that.... so I can spread it to all of my tanks.

How much did you get that pond thingy for and what was the site. I think because of the plants my mom might actually get that and then I can put a fish or two in there. She is real into gardening.