Trade Secrets - Fish keeping

[George Thompson]

In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"

Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!

Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)

When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners

Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
discard it!

When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm

Use hair rollers for cheap filter material

When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
squeeze it to reduce the waiting time

Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.

Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
weeks to fertilise plant

When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.

When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
windscreen ice scraper to remove it.

Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.

Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites

During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
This helps the fish keep warm.

Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
(Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)

[Kodiak]

"Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
discard it!"

I thought that calcium adds to karbonate hardness (a natural buffer sp PH
won't crash).
Isn't that a good thing?
....Kodiak


"George Thompson" > wrote in message
...
> In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>
> Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>
> Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>
> When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
>
> Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> discard it!
>
> When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
>
> Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
>
> When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
>
> Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
>
> Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> weeks to fertilise plant
>
> When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
>
> When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
>
> Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
>
> Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites
>
> During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> This helps the fish keep warm.
>
> Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)

[Toni]

"George Thompson" > wrote in message
...
> In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>
> Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>
> Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>

Coal?
Too ambiguous- what kind of coal?
Use a substrate made for aquariums.


> When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
>

That's ok.


> Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> discard it!

I've heard that one also. Again I wouldn't put anything into one of *my*
tanks without knowing exactly what it was.


>
> When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
>

I use my hands, keep 'em upside down with their heads in the water.
What is a baby changing mat made of??


> Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
>

Plenty of cheap filter media around- who has hair rollers anymore??


> When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
>

Ok.


> Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
>

And do what with it??


> Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> weeks to fertilise plant
>

Heard this one also.
Parasite city.


> When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
>

Of course!


> When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
>


Only if it is brand new and made of an inert plastic.


> Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
>

OK.


> Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites
>

Needlessly cruel IMO.
Most "feeder" fish are too high % fat to be a decent feed anyway.


> During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> This helps the fish keep warm.
>

OK.


> Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)

Too lazy and ridiculous.
Half the fun of having fish is watching them eat and respond.



That was fun!


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/goldfish.htm

[T]

"Toni" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> "George Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
> >
> > Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> > be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> > and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
> >
> > Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> >
>
> Coal?
> Too ambiguous- what kind of coal?
> Use a substrate made for aquariums.
>
>
> > When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> > with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> >
>
> That's ok.
>
>
> > Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> > discard it!
>
> I've heard that one also. Again I wouldn't put anything into one of *my*
> tanks without knowing exactly what it was.
>
>
> >
> > When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> > towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> >
>
> I use my hands, keep 'em upside down with their heads in the water.
> What is a baby changing mat made of??
>
>
> > Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> >
>
> Plenty of cheap filter media around- who has hair rollers anymore??
>
>
> > When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> > squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> >
>
> Ok.
>
>
> > Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> > off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> >
>
> And do what with it??
>
>
> > Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> > weeks to fertilise plant
> >
>
> Heard this one also.
> Parasite city.
>
>
> > When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> >
>
> Of course!
>
>
> > When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> > windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> >
>
>
> Only if it is brand new and made of an inert plastic.
>
>
> > Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> > a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
> >
>
> OK.
>
>
> > Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> > to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites
> >
>
> Needlessly cruel IMO.
> Most "feeder" fish are too high % fat to be a decent feed anyway.
>
>
> > During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> > This helps the fish keep warm.
> >
>
> OK.
>
>
> > Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> > above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> > hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> > (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
>
> Too lazy and ridiculous.
> Half the fun of having fish is watching them eat and respond.
>
>
>
> That was fun!
>
>
> --
> Toni
> http://www.cearbhaill.com/goldfish.htm
>
>
>

Of course with the feeder fish ( I don't think it is cruel btw, because fish
generally eat smaller fish in the wild, or in an Aquarium, my Koi seemed to
have enjoyed guppies as well my Oscars and Africans, now if your going to
feed my rats to your snake, I am going to say something ), I breed my own
for food and take great care in making sure they are healthy, just like the
fish in my show tanks... Coal as a substrate in a tank?? I suppose this is a
great way to reduce the ammonia levels in a hurry, but then again water
changes are the utmost importance anyways.. One of the best trade secrets
is meeting knowledgable people in the industry, such as breeders and
hatchery owners, granted there are some non chain LFS dealers that know a
lot about thier fish as well...

Tim... Cdn in California... ( what a waste of land.......)

[George Thompson]

I've been down the pub. I suspect this will show in my response. I
shall re-read and re-comment in the morning when sober.

Toni wrote:
> "George Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>>
>>Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
>>be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
>>and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>>
>>Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>>
>
>
> Coal?
> Too ambiguous- what kind of coal?
> Use a substrate made for aquariums.

didn't say what type

>
>
>>When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
>>with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
>>
>
>
> That's ok.
>
>
>
>>Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
>>discard it!
>
>
> I've heard that one also. Again I wouldn't put anything into one of *my*
> tanks without knowing exactly what it was.
>
>
>
>>When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
>>towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
>>
>
>
> I use my hands, keep 'em upside down with their heads in the water.
> What is a baby changing mat made of??
>
They're talking big fish. Changing mats are made of special material.
It could be plastic, but it's soft.

>
>
>>Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
>>
>
>
> Plenty of cheap filter media around- who has hair rollers anymore??

English people from yorkshire?


>
>
>>When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
>>squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
>>
>
>
> Ok.
>
>
>
>>Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
>>off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
>>
>
>
> And do what with it??

Suck up the crud from the gravel. A siphon thingy...

>
>
>
>>Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
>>weeks to fertilise plant
>>
>
>
> Heard this one also.
> Parasite city.
Do rabbits carry fish parasites? I thought they ate grass. I think the
tank they had was only planted... They're vague in details like that. I
paid special attention then forgot to type it!

>
>
>
>>When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
>>
>
>
> Of course!
>
>
>
>>When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
>>windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
>>
>
>
>
> Only if it is brand new and made of an inert plastic.

When you say inert, do you mean without motion? I'm confused. I'll
re-read my doc E.E.Smith lensman series now...
>
>
>
>>Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
>>a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
>>
>
>
> OK.
>
>
>
>>Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
>>to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites
>>
>
>
> Needlessly cruel IMO.
> Most "feeder" fish are too high % fat to be a decent feed anyway.
I believe these were already dead... but I appreciate they were alive at
some point...

>
>
>
>>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
>> This helps the fish keep warm.
>>
>
>
> OK.
>
>
>
>>Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
>>above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
>>hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
>>(Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
>
>
> Too lazy and ridiculous.
> Half the fun of having fish is watching them eat and respond.

Well, lazy is my middle name (G.L.Thompson) but it's also quite fun to
break clocks, make holes in the middle and watch the hands push in food.
I think the point was "if you're out and you're really worried the
fish will die of starvation during the four hours you're out and you
have too many clocks around the house. I like the idea of someone
trying this and using cardboard. I wonder how long it'd take to go soggy?

>
>
>
> That was fun!
>
>

Indeed. Now when I re-read my notes in the morning, I'll probably sit
there & think "why, god why!"

[[email protected]]

yes, calcium carbonate is a natural buffer. Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>"Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
>discard it!"
>
>I thought that calcium adds to karbonate hardness (a natural buffer sp PH
>won't crash).
>Isn't that a good thing?
>...Kodiak


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

I cannot speak for trops, but for goldfish..........

George Thompson > wrote:
>Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
.............. dont use anything at all, bare bottom is better. drop in brickets and
pick out dead fish.


>When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
>with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
............ dont transport fish in polyethylene bags that are not mad for
transporting fish... duh.

>Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
>discard it!
.......... limestone is a good rock to use in a tank .... if you absolutely must have
rocks in the tank

>When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
>towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
............... use anything to hold a fish except wet hands or plastic and it will
strip the slime coat right off them. this is old fashioned advice.

>Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
........... only if they are not used (ugh) ... but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
filter material is polyester batting with no additives

>When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
>squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
.............. the colonies are ON the filter, not the crap that squeezes out of the
filter which is just that.. crap. of course, using anything from an existing tank
puts the new fish at risk of cooties from the old tank. BEST is the new Biospira
that cycles a tank in 4-5 days.,

>Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
>off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
.... for what? siphoning? go bare bottom and dont even worry about siphoning.. just
use a small pump to get rid of old water.

>Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
>weeks to fertilise plant
............. oh my God, how gross. wonder what the ammonia and nitrates look like

>When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
............. look for dead fish!!!! and this wont work with ranchus and lionheads

>When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
>windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
........ oh yeah, one that been scraping who knows what off the car windshield. use a
credit card if too cheap to get a real aquarium sponge for a buck

>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> This helps the fish keep warm.
.......... uh, duh.. zap the water in the microwave with the power out????


>Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
>above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
>hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
>(Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
.......... anybody too lazy to feed their fish once a day should get glass fish. GF
need to be eye balled and checked every day for health. Ingrid



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Kodiak]

hmmm.... I detect a smidgen of sarcasm here... ....;)
....Kodiak

> wrote in message
...
> I cannot speak for trops, but for goldfish..........
>
> George Thompson > wrote:
> >Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> ............. dont use anything at all, bare bottom is better. drop in
brickets and
> pick out dead fish.
>
>
> >When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> >with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> ........... dont transport fish in polyethylene bags that are not mad for
> transporting fish... duh.
>
> >Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> >discard it!
> ......... limestone is a good rock to use in a tank .... if you
absolutely must have
> rocks in the tank
>
> >When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> >towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> .............. use anything to hold a fish except wet hands or plastic
and it will
> strip the slime coat right off them. this is old fashioned advice.
>
> >Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> .......... only if they are not used (ugh) ... but frankly the cheapest
AND THE BEST
> filter material is polyester batting with no additives
>
> >When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> >squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> ............. the colonies are ON the filter, not the crap that squeezes
out of the
> filter which is just that.. crap. of course, using anything from an
existing tank
> puts the new fish at risk of cooties from the old tank. BEST is the new
Biospira
> that cycles a tank in 4-5 days.,
>
> >Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> >off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> ... for what? siphoning? go bare bottom and dont even worry about
siphoning.. just
> use a small pump to get rid of old water.
>
> >Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> >weeks to fertilise plant
> ............ oh my God, how gross. wonder what the ammonia and nitrates
look like
>
> >When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> ............ look for dead fish!!!! and this wont work with ranchus and
lionheads
>
> >When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> >windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> ....... oh yeah, one that been scraping who knows what off the car
windshield. use a
> credit card if too cheap to get a real aquarium sponge for a buck
>
> >During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> > This helps the fish keep warm.
> ......... uh, duh.. zap the water in the microwave with the power out????
>
>
> >Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> >above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> >hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> >(Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
> ......... anybody too lazy to feed their fish once a day should get glass
fish. GF
> need to be eye balled and checked every day for health. Ingrid
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

[MartinOsirus]

but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
>filter material is polyester batting with no additives

I bought some at a fabric store - but am curious - what addittives are a
problem??

[stompbox]

I have no idea what thecontext of this post is BUT I would not think
batting from a fabric store would be a good idea, unless you are
certain and re-assured bt the vendor that the batting has NOTHING. It
might have flame retardant, insecticide, even simple silica for
moisture resistance. Unless you are getting it from the factory I
would be wary.

I buy the polyster 'wool' or fiber from the LFS/LPS, assuming, hoping
it is additive free.


(MartinOsirus) wrote in message >...
> but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
> >filter material is polyester batting with no additives
>
> I bought some at a fabric store - but am curious - what addittives are a
> problem??

[GiveMeABMW]

For batting use in filters - when should you throw it away? I generally use two
clumps (one on top of the other) and throw the bottom one away every week.

How do y'all use it?

[[email protected]]

antibacterial or fire retardant

(MartinOsirus) wrote:

> but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
>>filter material is polyester batting with no additives
>
>I bought some at a fabric store - but am curious - what addittives are a
>problem??
>



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

when the water starts to slow down. polyester is a good media for biobug colonies.
colonies take a good month to established. but if you are using it to just
mechanically filter the water, that is fine. Ingrid

(GiveMeABMW) wrote:

>For batting use in filters - when should you throw it away? I generally use two
>clumps (one on top of the other) and throw the bottom one away every week.
>
>How do y'all use it?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

wally world ... fairfield or fairchild... it comes in a box. if it doesnt say
something, it probably isnt. Ingrid

(stompbox) wrote:

>I have no idea what thecontext of this post is BUT I would not think
>batting from a fabric store would be a good idea, unless you are
>certain and re-assured bt the vendor that the batting has NOTHING. It
>might have flame retardant, insecticide, even simple silica for
>moisture resistance. Unless you are getting it from the factory I
>would be wary.
>
>I buy the polyster 'wool' or fiber from the LFS/LPS, assuming, hoping
>it is additive free.
>
>
(MartinOsirus) wrote in message >...
>> but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
>> >filter material is polyester batting with no additives
>>
>> I bought some at a fabric store - but am curious - what addittives are a
>> problem??



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[MartinOsirus]

Hi Ingrid -
Re:"Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts"

Maybe not - but you are doing great work here!!. You are a repository of
wonderful information ! and You should be congratulated! Thank You.
Best Wishes for Holidays
Shalom

[Kodiak]

Dosen't anyone use lavarock anymore?
....Kodiak

> wrote in message
...
> antibacterial or fire retardant
>
> (MartinOsirus) wrote:
>
> > but frankly the cheapest AND THE BEST
> >>filter material is polyester batting with no additives
> >
> >I bought some at a fabric store - but am curious - what addittives are a
> >problem??
> >
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

weighs a ton, cant get the stuff clean. polyester batting has much greater surface
area. Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>Dosen't anyone use lavarock anymore?
>...Kodiak


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Geezer From Freezer]

MartinOsirus wrote:
>
> Hi Ingrid -
> Re:"Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts"
>
> Maybe not - but you are doing great work here!!. You are a repository of
> wonderful information ! and You should be congratulated! Thank You.
> Best Wishes for Holidays
> Shalom

Yeah I'll definitely second that!

Merry xmas :D

[Kodiak]

you recommended some polyester batting (fairchild/fairfeild) from Wally
world.
Does Wal-Mart have anything? I wanna make sure it has no antibacterial or
antifungicide etc...
....Kodiak

> wrote in message
...
> weighs a ton, cant get the stuff clean. polyester batting has much
greater surface
> area. Ingrid
>
> "Kodiak" > wrote:
>
> >Dosen't anyone use lavarock anymore?
> >...Kodiak
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

wally world = walmart

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>you recommended some polyester batting (fairchild/fairfeild) from Wally
>world.
>Does Wal-Mart have anything? I wanna make sure it has no antibacterial or
>antifungicide etc...
>...Kodiak


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Dark Phoenix]

> wrote in message
...
> when the water starts to slow down. polyester is a good media for biobug
colonies.
> colonies take a good month to established. but if you are using it to
just
> mechanically filter the water, that is fine. Ingrid

Are you talking about special batting from the fish store, or the kind of
batting sold in craft stores for making quilts??? (if so, I can have a queen
sized filter!)

--
Laurie, Dark Phoenix

"Every dog has it's day, but nights are reserved for cats." -

[Tom La Bron]

KOdiak et al,

Like any thing else make sure you read the label. If you purchase batting
for cribs usually there is resin in it to prevent fiber migration and an
anti-fire retardant. By the way that is right off the Fairfield Crib size
(45X60) low loft batting package I just recently purchased at Wally World
(Wal-Mart). You also want to make sure you read the "Penalty Under Law
Labels" on the quilt batting because the front label just says it is 100%
polyester. The reason for the additives to the batting is because baby
quilts usually get wash a lot more than regular quilts so they need the
resin to prevent fiber migration and, of course, the fire retardant is self
explanatory.

If you purchase battings for quilts size Full or Queen it usually doesn't
have the fire retardant or resin. It has been my experience over the years
of using quilt batting to purchase the low-loft, it is easier to work with
putting it in filters or attaching it to filter frames, also those that
require attachment with rubber bands. I use one layer of the low loft and
change my filters weekly. If you want more filtering use several layers of
the low loft. For my Whispers this works great for I just wrap it around
the frame, overlapping it on to what will be the discharge side of the frame
and push it back into place. I also have Aquascape filters from Wally-World
and I cut a sheet for the frame so if just curls over the edges and attached
the batting to the frame with rubber bands and then put it back into the
filter.

Also keep a look out for battings that may say that they have fungicides on
them. I haven't seen this lately, but it is something to look for when
buying batting.

HTH

Tom L.L.
"Kodiak" > wrote in message
.. .
> you recommended some polyester batting (fairchild/fairfeild) from Wally
> world.
> Does Wal-Mart have anything? I wanna make sure it has no antibacterial or
> antifungicide etc...
> ...Kodiak
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
> > weighs a ton, cant get the stuff clean. polyester batting has much
> greater surface
> > area. Ingrid
> >
> > "Kodiak" > wrote:
> >
> > >Dosen't anyone use lavarock anymore?
> > >...Kodiak
> >
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> > http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> > www.drsolo.com
> > Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> > compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> > endorsements or recommendations I make.
>
>

[[email protected]]

kind used for quilts

"Dark Phoenix" > wrote:

>
> wrote in message
...
>> when the water starts to slow down. polyester is a good media for biobug
>colonies.
>> colonies take a good month to established. but if you are using it to
>just
>> mechanically filter the water, that is fine. Ingrid
>
>Are you talking about special batting from the fish store, or the kind of
>batting sold in craft stores for making quilts??? (if so, I can have a queen
>sized filter!)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Tom La Bron]

George,

My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
point and will be marked with ******** .
"George Thompson" > wrote in message
...
> In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>
> Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>
> Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has a
lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
----------------------------------------
>
> When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
------------------------------------
> Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> discard it!
*******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
around the 9 level.
--------------------------------
> When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is probably a
better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it is
still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet towels
on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around if
it is not anesthesized.
-------------------------------------------
>
> Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
*******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they are
not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate over a
short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the bioballs.
----------------------------------------
>
> When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
**********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks cycled.
-------------------------------------
>
> Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
*********Don't know what you are doing here?????
---------------------------
> Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> weeks to fertilise plant
*********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and have
a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize you
plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for people
dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
----------------------------------------
>
> When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
**********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not always, so
also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
---------------------------------------

>
> When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled cylinder
hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more effective at
getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
---------------------------------
>
> Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a lot
more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more area
for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation through
the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding area
the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of air/water
sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
----------------------
>
> Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.

**********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast for
large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
--------------------------
>
> During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> This helps the fish keep warm.
************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times though
what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending on
where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
mechanism.
-----------------------------
>
> Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)

**********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of the
clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces are
sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is good
idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure all
surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem is
making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting on.
---------------------------

HTH

Tom L.L.

[Kodiak]

Hey Tom, Ingrid
Thanks for details, just to summarize...

For batting use full or queensize (not cribsize) Walmart (Wally World)
100% polyester low-loft quilt batting with no fire retardant, no
antimigration resin, and no anti-fungicides.
....Kodiak


"Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
...
> KOdiak et al,
>
> Like any thing else make sure you read the label. If you purchase batting
> for cribs usually there is resin in it to prevent fiber migration and an
> anti-fire retardant. By the way that is right off the Fairfield Crib size
> (45X60) low loft batting package I just recently purchased at Wally World
> (Wal-Mart). You also want to make sure you read the "Penalty Under Law
> Labels" on the quilt batting because the front label just says it is 100%
> polyester. The reason for the additives to the batting is because baby
> quilts usually get wash a lot more than regular quilts so they need the
> resin to prevent fiber migration and, of course, the fire retardant is
self
> explanatory.
>
> If you purchase battings for quilts size Full or Queen it usually doesn't
> have the fire retardant or resin. It has been my experience over the
years
> of using quilt batting to purchase the low-loft, it is easier to work with
> putting it in filters or attaching it to filter frames, also those that
> require attachment with rubber bands. I use one layer of the low loft and
> change my filters weekly. If you want more filtering use several layers
of
> the low loft. For my Whispers this works great for I just wrap it around
> the frame, overlapping it on to what will be the discharge side of the
frame
> and push it back into place. I also have Aquascape filters from
Wally-World
> and I cut a sheet for the frame so if just curls over the edges and
attached
> the batting to the frame with rubber bands and then put it back into the
> filter.
>
> Also keep a look out for battings that may say that they have fungicides
on
> them. I haven't seen this lately, but it is something to look for when
> buying batting.
>
> HTH
>
> Tom L.L.
> "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > you recommended some polyester batting (fairchild/fairfeild) from Wally
> > world.
> > Does Wal-Mart have anything? I wanna make sure it has no antibacterial
or
> > antifungicide etc...
> > ...Kodiak
> >
> > > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > weighs a ton, cant get the stuff clean. polyester batting has much
> > greater surface
> > > area. Ingrid
> > >
> > > "Kodiak" > wrote:
> > >
> > > >Dosen't anyone use lavarock anymore?
> > > >...Kodiak
> > >
> > >
> > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > > List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> > > http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> > > www.drsolo.com
> > > Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > > Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> > > compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> > > endorsements or recommendations I make.
> >
> >
>
>

[Kodiak]

*******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
around the 9 level.

---->
I thought usually the problem with Goldfish is low or crashing PH, acidic
water,
I would think this type of rock would be beneficial for goldfish? I even
have to
on occaison add a bit of baking soda or more water changes to bring PH back
up.

....Kodiak


"Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
...
> George,
>
> My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> point and will be marked with ******** .
> "George Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
> >
> > Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> > be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> > and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
> >
> > Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has
a
> lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
> show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
> some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> > with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> ********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
> hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
> ------------------------------------
> > Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> > discard it!
> *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
> around the 9 level.
> --------------------------------
> > When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> > towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> ********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is probably
a
> better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
> soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it is
> still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
> inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet towels
> on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around if
> it is not anesthesized.
> -------------------------------------------
> >
> > Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> *******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
> sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they are
> not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate over
a
> short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the bioballs.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> > squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> **********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks
cycled.
> -------------------------------------
> >
> > Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> > off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> *********Don't know what you are doing here?????
> ---------------------------
> > Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> > weeks to fertilise plant
> *********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and
have
> a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize
you
> plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
> bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for people
> dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> **********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not always,
so
> also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
> ---------------------------------------
>
> >
> > When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> > windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> ************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled cylinder
> hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more effective
at
> getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
> ---------------------------------
> >
> > Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> > a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
> ********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a lot
> more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more
area
> for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation through
> the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding area
> the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of
air/water
> sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
> ----------------------
> >
> > Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> > to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.
>
> **********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast for
> large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
> convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
> --------------------------
> >
> > During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> > This helps the fish keep warm.
> ************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times though
> what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending
on
> where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
> mechanism.
> -----------------------------
> >
> > Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> > above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> > hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> > (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
>
> **********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of the
> clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces are
> sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is good
> idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure
all
> surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem is
> making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
> probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting
on.
> ---------------------------
>
> HTH
>
> Tom L.L.
>
>

[Charles Gillen]

"Tom La Bron" > wrote:

> Also keep a look out for battings that may say that they have
> fungicides on them. I haven't seen this lately, but it is something
> to look for when buying batting.

For dacron or polyester batting, try your local craft store. I got some
whose label said nothing about added chemicals, so I guess it is pure. I
gather the craft store variety is used to stuff cloth dolls and the like,
so no additives needed. Price was HALF the LFS for TWICE the quantity. I
change filter media weekly, with no problems. The stuff really catches the
dirt :^)

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[Tom La Bron]

Kodiak,

Like I said, it is/would be beneficial unless you have a high pH situation.
Baking Soda can be added to bring KH up and help bring up pH, the only thing
is that the Baking Soda must be added frequently because the bicarbonate
part of the ion is used up faster by the biobug action in the cycling of the
tank than just the carbonate ion of calcium carbonate.

Tom L.L.
"Kodiak" > wrote in message
...
> *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
> around the 9 level.
>
> ---->
> I thought usually the problem with Goldfish is low or crashing PH, acidic
> water,
> I would think this type of rock would be beneficial for goldfish? I even
> have to
> on occaison add a bit of baking soda or more water changes to bring PH
back
> up.
>
> ...Kodiak
>
>
> "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> ...
> > George,
> >
> > My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> > point and will be marked with ******** .
> > "George Thompson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
> > >
> > > Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> > > be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> > > and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
> > >
> > > Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> > ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal
has
> a
> > lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black
will
> > show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to
get
> > some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags &
secure
> > > with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> > ********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
> > hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
> > ------------------------------------
> > > Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it
does,
> > > discard it!
> > *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> > getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> > environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> > buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> > calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> > Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> > Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle
pH
> > around the 9 level.
> > --------------------------------
> > > When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with
wet
> > > towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> > ********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is
probably
> a
> > better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
> > soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it
is
> > still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
> > inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet
towels
> > on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around
if
> > it is not anesthesized.
> > -------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> > *******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
> > sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they
are
> > not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate
over
> a
> > short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the
bioballs.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> > > squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> > **********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks
> cycled.
> > -------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping.
Chop
> > > off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> > *********Don't know what you are doing here?????
> > ---------------------------
> > > Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> > > weeks to fertilise plant
> > *********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and
> have
> > a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize
> you
> > plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
> > bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for
people
> > dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> > **********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not
always,
> so
> > also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
> > ---------------------------------------
> >
> > >
> > > When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> > > windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> > ************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled
cylinder
> > hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more
effective
> at
> > getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
> > ---------------------------------
> > >
> > > Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie
on
> > > a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
> > ********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a
lot
> > more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more
> area
> > for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation
through
> > the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding
area
> > the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of
> air/water
> > sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
> > ----------------------
> > >
> > > Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> > > to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.
> >
> > **********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast
for
> > large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
> > convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
> > --------------------------
> > >
> > > During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot
water.
> > > This helps the fish keep warm.
> > ************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times
though
> > what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending
> on
> > where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
> > mechanism.
> > -----------------------------
> > >
> > > Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend
it
> > > above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> > > hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> > > (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
> >
> > **********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of
the
> > clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces
are
> > sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is
good
> > idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure
> all
> > surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem
is
> > making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
> > probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting
> on.
> > ---------------------------
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Tom L.L.
> >
> >
>
>

[George Thompson]

Tom La Bron wrote:
> George,
>
> My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> point and will be marked with ******** .
> "George Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>>
>>Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
>>be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
>>and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>>
>>Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>
> ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has a
> lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
> show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
> some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> ----------------------------------------

They did not so much crush as plonk the coal in. Ie leaving it as large
lumps. This gave the tank far more texture and was much better looking.
Plus large lumps are harder to get in the fishes mouth.

[[email protected]]

yes, this rock forms a buffer system for GF. limestone dissolve and release calcium
relative to the pH. At higher pH the stones sit there unreactive and cannot shove
the pH higher than 8.6 or so which is fine for GF. Powdered "quick lime" can
dissolve, can push the pH higher than 8.6. Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:
>I thought usually the problem with Goldfish is low or crashing PH, acidic
>water,>I would think this type of rock would be beneficial for goldfish? I even
>have to>on occaison add a bit of baking soda or more water changes to bring PH back
>up.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Magic menagerie]

>>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
>> This helps the fish keep warm.
>......... uh, duh.. zap the water in the microwave with the power out????

Some people still have a "gas cooker". You'd heat the water on the gas stove
and pour it in... ; )

[Donald Kerns]

Magic menagerie wrote:

>>>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot
>>>water.
>>> This helps the fish keep warm.
>>......... uh, duh.. zap the water in the microwave with the power
>>out????
>
> Some people still have a "gas cooker". You'd heat the water on the
> gas stove and pour it in... ; )

Hey folks, wrap the tank in a thick towel, blanket, comforter, sleeping
bag, whatever. Don't worry too much about the top (assuming you've got
a cover that traps a bit of air between itself and the surface of the
water).

Duct tape, (or whatever) around the outside of the bundle so that air
can't circulate around the sides of the tank.

I PROMISE you'll be impressed at how little heat the tank loses.

Flannel/felt etc do a much better job at keeping the heat in than air
does.

I've got 5000W worth of Honda in the garage for power outages, but
somebody has to be home to start it. I'm working on a 4.8kW-hr inline
system for "short outages." Heh heh heh. [evil laugh]

-Donald
"She blinded me... With Science!"
--
Cold and bleak in Boulder Creek.

[Kodiak]

She hit me with techn-o-lo-gy..... ...:)
....Kodiak

"Donald Kerns" > wrote in message
...
> Magic menagerie wrote:
>
> >>>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot
> >>>water.
> >>> This helps the fish keep warm.
> >>......... uh, duh.. zap the water in the microwave with the power
> >>out????
> >
> > Some people still have a "gas cooker". You'd heat the water on the
> > gas stove and pour it in... ; )
>
> Hey folks, wrap the tank in a thick towel, blanket, comforter, sleeping
> bag, whatever. Don't worry too much about the top (assuming you've got
> a cover that traps a bit of air between itself and the surface of the
> water).
>
> Duct tape, (or whatever) around the outside of the bundle so that air
> can't circulate around the sides of the tank.
>
> I PROMISE you'll be impressed at how little heat the tank loses.
>
> Flannel/felt etc do a much better job at keeping the heat in than air
> does.
>
> I've got 5000W worth of Honda in the garage for power outages, but
> somebody has to be home to start it. I'm working on a 4.8kW-hr inline
> system for "short outages." Heh heh heh. [evil laugh]
>
> -Donald
> "She blinded me... With Science!"
> --
> Cold and bleak in Boulder Creek.
>

[Wal Mart]

Which poly batting do you use at wal-mart. I want to be sure so I don't
hurt my fish. I use lava rock now but it is heavy. thanks.

[MartinOsirus]

>Which poly batting do you use at wal-mart

Low Loft 100 % polyester batting with no additives. NOT the one for infant
quilts.

[[email protected]]

fairfield with no fire retardants, no anti-bacterial. Ingrid

(Wal Mart) wrote:

>Which poly batting do you use at wal-mart. I want to be sure so I don't
>hurt my fish. I use lava rock now but it is heavy. thanks.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.