"Ozdude" wrote in message
...

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
I hate the idea that new aquarists feel they need to learn how to
inject CO2, remove phosphates, make their own PMDD, engineer new
lighting and master the art of filtration. There *is* all sorts of
interesting fun that you can have, but for newbies?? i) cycle your
tank, ii) familiarize yourself with your water, the species of fish
you will be adding and how they relate to their tank mates, iii) meet
their requirements as they grow. After that you can go down any of
the specialty roads, or stay right where you are and still enjoy the
hobby (jmho).

Agreed. I had this sort of realisation yesterday whilst doing a water
change on my current tank.

I am interested in *what* could cause a problem, but then realised if
it ain't broke don't fix it applies.

If anything after reading in here and reading your web site (which is a
jewel btw I am starting to think my tank is actually suffering old
tank syndrome, as the I remembered that the gravel was given to me by a
friend who doesn't use filtration and doesn't do water changes, and I
didn't wash it all that well (in ignorance - seeing it had come out of
an aqauraium in the first place). I then placed a 1 cm layer of brand
new washed gravel over it later on, but it's all pointing towards OTS
and I have this group to thank for knowledge.

However, I do believe that getting to know your water and correcting
any glaring things which may cause fish stress or death is the first
step and all the other stuff is basically optional.

Could you know too much I wonder?

heh heh, when I was in project mgmt, I worked with a guy who designed
computer chips, and he said that I knew enough to be dangerous (which I
understood, was not exactly a compliment ;~).

All this talk about testing water, I pulled out my water log and hadn't
made an entry since 2003, so I went and checked. Fortunately my nitrates
were at 10ppm and everything else was normal. I think you can actual see
*some* bad water results reflected in your fish's behaviour, but it's not
a subject I'm about to talk about, too dangerous.
--
www.NetMax.tk

Keep it simple in 2005!

Oz