Levels Getting Worse.....

"Don Freeman" wrote in
:

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about
getting back into keeping tropical fish. I had been a fairly avid
hobbyist about 35 years ago, and am amazed at the advancements in the
knowledge available. I had never even heard of cycling a tank back
then, I had pH testing, a couple of anti-bacterial and fungal
treatments and that's about all. At least from what I remember.

So it looks like I have quite a bit to learn before getting too
involved. One thing that would help is a step by step guide on setting
up a new tank so that all the details (such as the one above regarding
vacuuming the gravel during the cycling period) are delineated and put
in their proper perspective within the process. Is there a consensus
in the group as the most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide
(either printed or web page) for setting up a new tank geared toward
the new hobbyist?

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and
(except for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way
in which the discussions are presented.

Thanks,
-Don

Hi Don,

I highly reccomend Netmax's site;

http://www.netmax.tk/

Its a very easy read, and has sound, up to date advice. The left hand
side of his main page is a list of links by subject, and running through
them in order will get you up t ospeed

There is also a link at the bottom of that list which might interest
you, called "whats changed in 30 years". It kind of gives a fast
history of the major innovations that have changed the face of the hobby
since you left.

Regards
DaveZ
Atom Weaver

"atomweaver" wrote in message
...
"Don Freeman" wrote in
:

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about
getting back into keeping tropical fish. Hi Don,

I highly reccomend Netmax's site;

http://www.netmax.tk/

There is also a link at the bottom of that list which might interest
you, called "whats changed in 30 years".

How ironic, as well as informative. Thanks for the link, I will dedicate
some time to reading it. I am not impatient with getting setup with fish
and I like planting anyway so waiting for the tank to cycle won't be a
hardship.
-Don

Don Freeman wrote:
I am not impatient with getting setup with fish
and I like planting anyway so waiting for the tank to cycle won't be a
hardship.
-Don



BTW I hope that you are aware...but until you either add the fish in or
another source of ammonia your tank won't begin to cycle even if you
have the plants in there....the water and environment may well mature
but this is not the same thing....

Gill

"Gill Passman" wrote in message
...
Don Freeman wrote:
I am not impatient with getting setup with fish and I like planting
anyway so waiting for the tank to cycle won't be a hardship.
-Don


BTW I hope that you are aware...but until you either add the fish in or
another source of ammonia your tank won't begin to cycle even if you have
the plants in there....the water and environment may well mature but this
is not the same thing....

There is obviously a lot I am unaware of, but I intend to do a lot more
reading and other research before attempting this. So, hopefully, I will be
a lot more informed at the time I start.

Don Freeman wrote:



There is obviously a lot I am unaware of, but I intend to do a lot more
reading and other research before attempting this. So, hopefully, I will be
a lot more informed at the time I start.


I hope that I didn't come across as beating on you because that wasn't
the intention...the fact that you are posting on a group such as rafm
shows that you are indeed all about learning....

I would suggest you go and do some reading on the following sites:-

http://faq.thekrib.com
http://www.netmax.tk
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com

and Carl's website blogs....which I can't find a link for general access
to at the moment but I'm pretty sure he will provide it....

All of these will give you a good starting base....but you WILL have
follow up questions so feel free to ask....

Gill

"Gill Passman" wrote in message
...
Don Freeman wrote:

There is obviously a lot I am unaware of,
I hope that I didn't come across as beating on you because that wasn't

I did not take your response that way at all, and thanks for the links.

--
-Don
Ever had one of those days where you just felt like:
http://cosmoslair.com/BadDay.html ?
(Eating the elephant outside the box, one paradigm at a time)

Don Freeman wrote:
"Gill Passman" wrote in message
...

Don Freeman wrote:


There is obviously a lot I am unaware of,

I hope that I didn't come across as beating on you because that wasn't


I did not take your response that way at all, and thanks for the links.


Of course, if after reading the stuff on NetMax's site you want him to
help you out you can find him on the google group The Freshwater
Aquarium.....

http://groups.google.com/group/The-F...s?lnk=li&hl=en

I must add that as a co-owner of this group I do have a vested interest
unlike those that pointed you at NetMax's site

Gill

Gill Passman wrote:
Don Freeman wrote:



There is obviously a lot I am unaware of, but I intend to do a lot more
reading and other research before attempting this. So, hopefully, I will be
a lot more informed at the time I start.


I hope that I didn't come across as beating on you because that wasn't
the intention...the fact that you are posting on a group such as rafm
shows that you are indeed all about learning....

I would suggest you go and do some reading on the following sites:-

http://faq.thekrib.com
http://www.netmax.tk
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com

and Carl's website blogs....which I can't find a link for general access
to at the moment but I'm pretty sure he will provide it....

All of these will give you a good starting base....but you WILL have
follow up questions so feel free to ask....

Gill

Thanks gill, I have two; My personal site with my full articles that
are up dated regularly especially as I find new research (including a
link to my answers blog with regular posts) is:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts....formation.html

My other is a blog with links to many of my more abbreviated blog
aquarium and pond info, but this one has more outside directory links
and links to other info sites such as NetMax, The Krib, and Cichlid
Research:
http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/

Carl