My first 1.5 years in fish keeping & the costs when you do everything wrong [LONG]

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 a

£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!

i have been in the hobby for 25 years and believe me its been awsome, I
never do any math on what I spend, If I did well...................I would
never had come this far.


take care


"George Thompson" wrote in message
om...
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 a

£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!

I've been in the hobby since July - 5 months. I now have a 90g tank with 7
goldfish and a swordtail (don't ask, LOL); a 10g quarantine tank, which has
4 guppy fry in it at the moment; 2x 5g tanks which hold my 7 adult guppies
and a 10g which presently holds my 8 baby angelfish. Downstairs, waiting in
the wings are 2x 25g tanks I bought used and will be cleaning up for the
angel's, as well as a 38g which I just bought on sale at Big Al's.

I want to separate my goldfish into 2 tanks so the telescopes can have their
own tank, so they'll probably get the 38g which means I will have to get a
few more fish for my 90g, and I need more 20g tanks for when the angel's
start to pair off, getting ready to spawn...

It never ends, and I didn't add up the cost either. I don't want to know...
:-)



--
} Tammy {
Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from
this address:
http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to
purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project

Watkins Business Opportunity
www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796
Me and my fish Thank You!!
"George Thompson" wrote in message
om...
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 a

£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!

In article ,
says...
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.
.....
Total cost (roughly) £355 ($635?)

Yes, £355. How much was the initial fish? 49p

That sounds about right to me. ;-)

I didn't start my fish diary/logs until I'd passed the
first 6 months or so, maybe even longer. I therefore
can't document my own nightmares as completely as you,
but I promise I went through similar problems, and I suspect
the majority of readers here did as well. Those who claim not
to are either liars or deluded somehow.

It seems to me that hobbies all share a common trait: they're
at least partially designed to separate the hobbyist from
as much of his/her money as possible in as short a time as
possible. (E.g. golfing is way more expensive, and you don't
get the benefit of seeing the balls wag their tails and beg
for food.) So it's probably best to NOT record expenditures,
else you'd start worrying about that and not get the benefit
of the hobby. (I'm sure there must be some benefits, right?)


Gunther

"George Thompson" wrote in message
om...

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

Same kind of experience here as well. Years ago I had pet fish when I was
young, I never done the cleaning or nothing, just feed them, but they went
into our pond outside (carp fish) and are still going today must be at least
7 years ago. Never thought of having pet fish again, had another pets in
the mean time. Until one day last August my parents brought home a comet
goldfish. Not quite sure why, but there you go :-)

For the first few days it lived in a jar (no tank) Monday morning, shops
opened, and off I went to purchase a tank, about 1.5gal maybe. No filter.
Fish went in, looked happy, but I thought it may want some fish friends -
next day down the pet shop and brought 1 shubunkin and a small goldfish
fantail.

The information with the tank said up to 4 fish are ok. All got alone well.
Water problems time(ammonia was around 3.5), so purchase a filter.

Still never got any good results, but fish were ok. I when really started
enjoying myself, so another weekend off I go again and purchase a Fluval
brand tank kit, biggest tank I could fit at home, it is about 17gal.

After a week or so, they were all living in the tank. One more newbie
error, yes I purchased 2 more fish, using the inch per gal rule thinking I
had room. Leant so much online, this newsgroup has helped the most
(thank-you). Just last week I purchased a external filter for the tank as I
wasn't happy with the internal. I wish I could find more room for a larger
tank, but they are looking good and very healthy so far.

And yes, the comet goldfish is still going strong :-) Just need to find
more room now...

Graeme