George Thompson
January 4th 04, 08:14 PM
A year has gone past, and some.
It started out so innocently. The question "shall we get a pet?"
cropped up, and since we live in rented accommodation, I couldn't have
a cat.
This "look how I got on over the last year" is to try and impress the
newbie with how much $ is spent on fish.
If you get bored, or can't be bother to read about my road to
out-of-pocket-dom, then skip to the end. Newbies take note!
Day 0:
That weekend we went out and bought a tank. I found one on special
offer, Plastic and about 8L, it looked like the perfect home for our
little fishy friend (£6.99) I asked the salesman and he said "no
problem, you'll get two fish in there, just be sure to setup for 24hrs
before adding any fish". Some gravel (£1.99), declor (£3.99) and
flake food (£1.49) & we were off. Next day, we returned having set up
the tank for 24hrs and selected a little goldfish. Hooked out, we
took him in his bag, and paid the 49p for him.
Day 1:
Swimming around, he looked happy! We fed him (he was always so hungry!
We were feeding him 4 times a day) and we thought "aww, he looks
lonely" so we decided on a second fish. The shubunkin (£1.99) was a
welcome addition to our family, and off he went swimming. The goldie
looked pleased and they spent many hours eating off the bottom.
Day 2:
Next morning, I went downstairs to find the shubunkin gasping at the
surface. I guessed that this must be oxygen deprivation, so I called
my LGF (Local Goldfish Store)
S:Brrr.. Brrr… "Hello PetSmart!"
M:"Hello, I bought a fish yesterday. He's gasping at the surface."
S:"Oh, what size tank have you got?"
M:"Blue plastic one you're selling for £6.99"
S:"That's not really big enough for 2 fish, you'll need an air pump or
a bigger tank"
M:"I was told yesterday it was OK by one of your salesmen!"
S:"No, all our aquarium specialists know the minimum requirement. He
probably thought you were buying a tank to move your fish with"
M:"I did make it clear that I was buying to keep in. Will you give a
refund and let me get a bigger tank?"
S:"Of course"
So off I go back to PetSmart. I look around and find a 15L tank and
get an airpump and UGF (Under Gravel Filter) free (£29.99). In goes
the old tank water which I filter through my new net (£3.99). I also
buy a plant (£1.99) and decide to keep the other tank for water
changes) I also buy a castle to appease my girlfriend. (£12.99)
In goes the fish (with declor water from the tap).
Day 17:
Two weeks later, the water is going bad. It smells nasty and I'm
pretty sure this isn't good. I ring the PetStore who tell me that
it's probably poor cleaning. They tell me to bring in a sample of the
water. Ammonia is about 7ppm. They tell me that's bad and to buy
some ammonia rocks (£3.99) & throw the rotting plant. As an
afterthought, I ask about how much gravel I should have. I'm told
about 1". I go home and transfer water into the old tank. In go the
fish and I throw the old water out. I remove the gravel to reveal a
stinking mass. I wash out with tap water (no declor) and wash the
gravel (no declor) In it all goes, water back in and in go the fish
(thank god it was summer and the temperatures were similar).
Well things go peachy. Lots of water changes later:
Week 11:
Well, it's been two months. The fish are happy, the water is clear.
I decide to go home for xmas. Whilst at home (the fish come with me)
my uncle comments that I can get more fish in if I like. He recons
about 2-3 more. I decide when I get back, I'll get a new fish. I've
always loved black moors.
Week 12: Back in Norwich, I get another fish. He looks happy, fins up
and swimming well. I bring him home and acclimatise him to the tank
(20mins) and release him
Week 16: Fish isn't looking so good. Sitting on the floor and not
moving much. If prompted (poked) he gets up and swims. Not eating as
far as I could see. I ring the pet store and stick him in a fish bag.
I take him to the store and one of the staff puts the tank water wet
bag into a retail (full of fish) tank. Under the tank light, it goes
from black to completely speckled. Diagnosis whitespot. The
"salesman" gives me a complementary whitespot medication.
I join rec.aquaria.freshwater.goldfish. Ingrid gives me lots of help,
as do the other regulars (Gunther, Mel etc…) (Thanks everyone!)
And after about 6hrs of reading I look at my fish, horror stricken at
their ordeal. The look at me, begging for food (the one on the bottom
doesn't move)
Week 17:
Black moor has died.
I was the resolved to keep it as just the two fish. They featured on
my websites web cam for many weeks, till someone nicked the cam. The
tank is about 4USg, and the fish are about 2".
Month 4:
Having got the cash, and the exams are looming, I decide on a new fish
tank (wasting revision time) Anyway, I buy a nice 2x1x1ft tank
(£20.49). I'm told in the LGF that this is 10g (I now know better –
it's 15g). Two weeks later, I buy a fluval 2 plus (£21.99). And a
testing kit of ebay for £15 inc p&p
Month 6:
Finally I feel happy with the state of my tank. Plants get eaten very
quickly, but that's not too much of a problem.
Month 8:
Time for a move. I'm in a new house, and the tank no longer has a
place to sit. I need a stand. I goto 6 stores. I find one for
£29.99. Also buy new declor (£7.99), tank hood (£20.99) and light
(£6.99)
Month 9:
Time for a new fish. I get a tiny little chocolate oranda (£3.99). I
put him in the 15L for about 2 weeks, then transfer to the new tank.
He's fine (but small) I get new net (bigger - £3.49)
Month 10:
Chocolate oranda floats occasionally, and I've been told to feed them
greens. I move the tank to a new location. I now feed bloodworms as
well (£1.99 a packet (of which I've bought 6 of to date))
Year 1 Month 1:
My chocolate is getting bigger. He's grown about 1.5", so I presume
that it's due to good water conditions, feeding etc. Also buy 2
corydoras (£2.75 each)
Year 1 Month 2: Changing look of tank. Cost of stones & ornaments is
about £50.
Year 1 Month 2.5: Fish acting strangely.
Year 1 Month 2.75: Fish has boil on side & We go through treatment.
Costs are:
£3.99 Internal bacteria solution
£20.99 Vets bill & antibiotic
£4.05 Antibiotics
£7.99 new food
£3.99 Finrot solution.
Quarantine tank is required & suitable heating equipment. Some
scrounging round the back of a electrical store finds a large chunk of
polystyrene for free. Tank is £12.49, heater £21.99 (mistake, I
thought it was £11.99 )
Year 1 Month 3.5
Fish dies :- ( I recycle tank and make room for my corydoras to have
their own 6g tank.
Total cost (roughly) £355 ($635?)
Yes, £355. How much was the initial fish? 49p
Moral:
Well, if you know nothing, then learn first. The FAQ's and tutorials
are a really good way to scare you into not buying a fish. It's a pet
like a cat or dog, and it requires attention. I've learnt the hard
way, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm constantly
stopping myself from buying new fish and have banned myself from Fish
shops. So far (if my maths are right) it's costing me £5 a week. If
I'd read this, I could probably have reduced my costs by 2/3's.
I'm looking forward to moving if I get this new job. I'll be
replacing my 15g with a 60g with an external filter. Then I can
concentrate on my obsession with gadgets.
Oh, and I bet that's not all the costs I had. I bought a bucket, 1
ltr jug, gravel siphon, second air pump, third airpump when the first
free won died, various flake foods etc.
Feel free to comment on this, and anyone considering getting a fish &
is on the newsgroup, make sure you read EVERYTHING before starting.
Get a big tank, they grow fast!
It started out so innocently. The question "shall we get a pet?"
cropped up, and since we live in rented accommodation, I couldn't have
a cat.
This "look how I got on over the last year" is to try and impress the
newbie with how much $ is spent on fish.
If you get bored, or can't be bother to read about my road to
out-of-pocket-dom, then skip to the end. Newbies take note!
Day 0:
That weekend we went out and bought a tank. I found one on special
offer, Plastic and about 8L, it looked like the perfect home for our
little fishy friend (£6.99) I asked the salesman and he said "no
problem, you'll get two fish in there, just be sure to setup for 24hrs
before adding any fish". Some gravel (£1.99), declor (£3.99) and
flake food (£1.49) & we were off. Next day, we returned having set up
the tank for 24hrs and selected a little goldfish. Hooked out, we
took him in his bag, and paid the 49p for him.
Day 1:
Swimming around, he looked happy! We fed him (he was always so hungry!
We were feeding him 4 times a day) and we thought "aww, he looks
lonely" so we decided on a second fish. The shubunkin (£1.99) was a
welcome addition to our family, and off he went swimming. The goldie
looked pleased and they spent many hours eating off the bottom.
Day 2:
Next morning, I went downstairs to find the shubunkin gasping at the
surface. I guessed that this must be oxygen deprivation, so I called
my LGF (Local Goldfish Store)
S:Brrr.. Brrr… "Hello PetSmart!"
M:"Hello, I bought a fish yesterday. He's gasping at the surface."
S:"Oh, what size tank have you got?"
M:"Blue plastic one you're selling for £6.99"
S:"That's not really big enough for 2 fish, you'll need an air pump or
a bigger tank"
M:"I was told yesterday it was OK by one of your salesmen!"
S:"No, all our aquarium specialists know the minimum requirement. He
probably thought you were buying a tank to move your fish with"
M:"I did make it clear that I was buying to keep in. Will you give a
refund and let me get a bigger tank?"
S:"Of course"
So off I go back to PetSmart. I look around and find a 15L tank and
get an airpump and UGF (Under Gravel Filter) free (£29.99). In goes
the old tank water which I filter through my new net (£3.99). I also
buy a plant (£1.99) and decide to keep the other tank for water
changes) I also buy a castle to appease my girlfriend. (£12.99)
In goes the fish (with declor water from the tap).
Day 17:
Two weeks later, the water is going bad. It smells nasty and I'm
pretty sure this isn't good. I ring the PetStore who tell me that
it's probably poor cleaning. They tell me to bring in a sample of the
water. Ammonia is about 7ppm. They tell me that's bad and to buy
some ammonia rocks (£3.99) & throw the rotting plant. As an
afterthought, I ask about how much gravel I should have. I'm told
about 1". I go home and transfer water into the old tank. In go the
fish and I throw the old water out. I remove the gravel to reveal a
stinking mass. I wash out with tap water (no declor) and wash the
gravel (no declor) In it all goes, water back in and in go the fish
(thank god it was summer and the temperatures were similar).
Well things go peachy. Lots of water changes later:
Week 11:
Well, it's been two months. The fish are happy, the water is clear.
I decide to go home for xmas. Whilst at home (the fish come with me)
my uncle comments that I can get more fish in if I like. He recons
about 2-3 more. I decide when I get back, I'll get a new fish. I've
always loved black moors.
Week 12: Back in Norwich, I get another fish. He looks happy, fins up
and swimming well. I bring him home and acclimatise him to the tank
(20mins) and release him
Week 16: Fish isn't looking so good. Sitting on the floor and not
moving much. If prompted (poked) he gets up and swims. Not eating as
far as I could see. I ring the pet store and stick him in a fish bag.
I take him to the store and one of the staff puts the tank water wet
bag into a retail (full of fish) tank. Under the tank light, it goes
from black to completely speckled. Diagnosis whitespot. The
"salesman" gives me a complementary whitespot medication.
I join rec.aquaria.freshwater.goldfish. Ingrid gives me lots of help,
as do the other regulars (Gunther, Mel etc…) (Thanks everyone!)
And after about 6hrs of reading I look at my fish, horror stricken at
their ordeal. The look at me, begging for food (the one on the bottom
doesn't move)
Week 17:
Black moor has died.
I was the resolved to keep it as just the two fish. They featured on
my websites web cam for many weeks, till someone nicked the cam. The
tank is about 4USg, and the fish are about 2".
Month 4:
Having got the cash, and the exams are looming, I decide on a new fish
tank (wasting revision time) Anyway, I buy a nice 2x1x1ft tank
(£20.49). I'm told in the LGF that this is 10g (I now know better –
it's 15g). Two weeks later, I buy a fluval 2 plus (£21.99). And a
testing kit of ebay for £15 inc p&p
Month 6:
Finally I feel happy with the state of my tank. Plants get eaten very
quickly, but that's not too much of a problem.
Month 8:
Time for a move. I'm in a new house, and the tank no longer has a
place to sit. I need a stand. I goto 6 stores. I find one for
£29.99. Also buy new declor (£7.99), tank hood (£20.99) and light
(£6.99)
Month 9:
Time for a new fish. I get a tiny little chocolate oranda (£3.99). I
put him in the 15L for about 2 weeks, then transfer to the new tank.
He's fine (but small) I get new net (bigger - £3.49)
Month 10:
Chocolate oranda floats occasionally, and I've been told to feed them
greens. I move the tank to a new location. I now feed bloodworms as
well (£1.99 a packet (of which I've bought 6 of to date))
Year 1 Month 1:
My chocolate is getting bigger. He's grown about 1.5", so I presume
that it's due to good water conditions, feeding etc. Also buy 2
corydoras (£2.75 each)
Year 1 Month 2: Changing look of tank. Cost of stones & ornaments is
about £50.
Year 1 Month 2.5: Fish acting strangely.
Year 1 Month 2.75: Fish has boil on side & We go through treatment.
Costs are:
£3.99 Internal bacteria solution
£20.99 Vets bill & antibiotic
£4.05 Antibiotics
£7.99 new food
£3.99 Finrot solution.
Quarantine tank is required & suitable heating equipment. Some
scrounging round the back of a electrical store finds a large chunk of
polystyrene for free. Tank is £12.49, heater £21.99 (mistake, I
thought it was £11.99 )
Year 1 Month 3.5
Fish dies :- ( I recycle tank and make room for my corydoras to have
their own 6g tank.
Total cost (roughly) £355 ($635?)
Yes, £355. How much was the initial fish? 49p
Moral:
Well, if you know nothing, then learn first. The FAQ's and tutorials
are a really good way to scare you into not buying a fish. It's a pet
like a cat or dog, and it requires attention. I've learnt the hard
way, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm constantly
stopping myself from buying new fish and have banned myself from Fish
shops. So far (if my maths are right) it's costing me £5 a week. If
I'd read this, I could probably have reduced my costs by 2/3's.
I'm looking forward to moving if I get this new job. I'll be
replacing my 15g with a 60g with an external filter. Then I can
concentrate on my obsession with gadgets.
Oh, and I bet that's not all the costs I had. I bought a bucket, 1
ltr jug, gravel siphon, second air pump, third airpump when the first
free won died, various flake foods etc.
Feel free to comment on this, and anyone considering getting a fish &
is on the newsgroup, make sure you read EVERYTHING before starting.
Get a big tank, they grow fast!