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Finnegan

Aquariums and Fish

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Posted

Had a fish at uni, my mate fed it too much after a night out, and we woke up to find it dead, after 2 days :(.

We left it in one of the girls' bed, it's what Nio would have wanted.

Posted

Don't waste your time with sunken ships - we've gone for a model of a Mini and some traffic lights in ours. Looks pretty cool especially when the fish swim in the car.

We've also got a frog like the one below in ours. Something a bit different and that type of frog lives underwater so just has to come up for a breath of air every five minutes or so which means you don't need any special lights or any ledges for it to sit on.

african-clawed-frogs.jpg

One downside is that is it did manage to jump out of the tank when cleaning it so now cleaning the tank out is a two person job. One to clean it and one to keep an eye on the frog.

How do they sleep?

  • 1 year later...
Posted

Nice :thumbup:

i'd keep expecting David Bellamy or David Attenborough to pop their heads through all that forestry Bell. 

 

I thankew.

 

I've thinned it out a bit since then, it was getting a bit out of hand

 

IMG_0379_zps4561732d.jpg

 

Thought this thread lacked a marine tank :)

 

Lovely stuff.  The vibrant colours of our salty friends!

 

I don't think I could ever be arsed with extra work though

  • 2 months later...
Posted

What are people's views on cruelty when it comes to fish and aquariums?

 

I read the PETA website (http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animal-issues/companion-animals-factsheets/fish-tanks-thanks/) which is pretty damning although am obviously aware that isn't the best place for a balanced view.

 

Close to purchasing one (hopefully this weekend) but need to convince the other half (and myself) that my fish will be happy.

Posted

Hello James.

I suppose it's the same argument against keeping any animals in captivity, but there are some for as well e.g. there are some species that are close to extinction in the wild (for reasons other than over collection) and probably have no long term future other than being kept by hobbyists.

That said, fish generally I think get a shit deal because people think 'they're just fish'. You wouldn't flush a poorly kitten down the bog but doing the same thing to a goldfish doesn't seem to be perceived as so horrific.

The key to successful fish keeping, for me, is looking at what fish you'd like to have and then seeing what their requirements are and if you can meet them. They're not all the same and unfortunately retailers will generally be focussed on getting a sale rather than helping you get it right.

What sort of set up are you thinking of going for?

Posted

If you're not moving too far away I will give you some filter slime, you lucky thing

 

Literally the most amazing house warming gift I've ever been offered. 

Posted

Hello James.

I suppose it's the same argument against keeping any animals in captivity, but there are some for as well e.g. there are some species that are close to extinction in the wild (for reasons other than over collection) and probably have no long term future other than being kept by hobbyists.

That said, fish generally I think get a shit deal because people think 'they're just fish'. You wouldn't flush a poorly kitten down the bog but doing the same thing to a goldfish doesn't seem to be perceived as so horrific.

The key to successful fish keeping, for me, is looking at what fish you'd like to have and then seeing what their requirements are and if you can meet them. They're not all the same and unfortunately retailers will generally be focussed on getting a sale rather than helping you get it right.

What sort of set up are you thinking of going for?

 

Thanks Bellend.

 

To be honest I'm going into this a little naively. I basically fancy a new hobby, like fish and have some space in my flat that needs filling. If that was a decision tree I'm pretty sure it would lead me to owning an aquarium.

 

There's a shop down the road that apparently is trustworthy and knowledgeable so the plan was to go there, give them a budget and see what they put together.

 

In terms of space I reckon I'd be looking for a tank about 1.5 metres wide. I have no idea if that is sufficient or not.

 

Any online resources you'd recommend for a complete novice?

Posted

Thanks Bellend.

 

To be honest I'm going into this a little naively. I basically fancy a new hobby, like fish and have some space in my flat that needs filling. If that was a decision tree I'm pretty sure it would lead me to owning an aquarium.

 

There's a shop down the road that apparently is trustworthy and knowledgeable so the plan was to go there, give them a budget and see what they put together.

 

In terms of space I reckon I'd be looking for a tank about 1.5 metres wide. I have no idea if that is sufficient or not.

 

Any online resources you'd recommend for a complete novice?

 

Are you still near Broadway Market? Popped down to Buen Ayre on Friday night and gorged myself on fillet steak. Love that place.

Posted

Are you still near Broadway Market? Popped down to Buen Ayre on Friday night and gorged myself on fillet steak. Love that place.

 

Yeah I'm still pretty close (15 mins down the canal next to The Palm Tree pub / Mile End Climbing Wall). Only been to Buen Ayre once and yeah thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Have you been to the market on a Saturday afternoon? Not many better places in London on a sunny day - loads of good food and London Fields is superb, like a mini festival.

Posted

Yeah I'm still pretty close (15 mins down the canal next to The Palm Tree pub / Mile End Climbing Wall). Only been to Buen Ayre once and yeah thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Have you been to the market on a Saturday afternoon? Not many better places in London on a sunny day - loads of good food and London Fields is superb, like a mini festival.

 

Never been actually. I'll check it out! I've been down the lido on a sunny day, that's always fun (if packed). Went down London Fields Brewery a couple of weeks ago, I'd recommend a visit.

 

I'm living in between Dalston and Stokey at the moment. There is a dangerous amount of pubs to choose from in and around Stokey. It's brilliant.

Posted

Never been actually. I'll check it out! I've been down the lido on a sunny day, that's always fun (if packed). Went down London Fields Brewery a couple of weeks ago, I'd recommend a visit.

 

I'm living in between Dalston and Stokey at the moment. There is a dangerous amount of pubs to choose from in and around Stokey. It's brilliant.

 

Maybe you can give some advice on that subject... looking for a decent pub in that area for the FA Cup final. Got an Arsenal supporting mate coming to London and he's keen on some atmosphere, etc. Any suggestions?

Posted

Maybe you can give some advice on that subject... looking for a decent pub in that area for the FA Cup final. Got an Arsenal supporting mate coming to London and he's keen on some atmosphere, etc. Any suggestions?

 

My first thought is the Junction on Highbury Corner. It'll be full of Arsenal fans and they have screens outside (if it's a nice day). I haven't actually watched that much football in pubs around Stokey - usually I pop down the Stag in Fitzrovia if it's a Leicester game for obvious reasons. I'll have a think about anything else.

Posted

Thanks Bellend.

 

To be honest I'm going into this a little naively. I basically fancy a new hobby, like fish and have some space in my flat that needs filling. If that was a decision tree I'm pretty sure it would lead me to owning an aquarium.

 

There's a shop down the road that apparently is trustworthy and knowledgeable so the plan was to go there, give them a budget and see what they put together.

 

In terms of space I reckon I'd be looking for a tank about 1.5 metres wide. I have no idea if that is sufficient or not.

 

Any online resources you'd recommend for a complete novice?

 

The Practical Fishkeeping site and associated forum has been a godsend to me - lots of pinned articles on the basics and a section for new fishkeepers where no question is too stupid and lots of people on hand to give good advice (I'm not one of them, I might add).  The magazine itself is pretty good and they quite often have beginners supplements in there.  'Seriously Fish' is very good if you want to know if a fish you like the look of is going to be easy to keep or a f***ing nightmare.

 

120 cm is a common width for aquariums, but capacity will obviously be determined by the other dimensions as well.  Either way this size or bigger will be plenty big enough for the vast majority of tropicals - mine is this size so you can see above what that could look like.  Bigger is easier in a lot ways but water changes will take longer and be relatively demanding physically.  Tropicals are probably the easiest option for the beginner; coldwater fish are mucky and need a lot of space - goldfish should really be kept in ponds.  Saltwater can be spectacular but a lot of work and ££££.

 

If you want a specific size of aquarium you can get them custom made.  Positioning is important - avoid it being in too much sunlight, make sure floor is strong enough and if it can be close to a sink and even better a drain too that would make life easier.

 

If you fancy some homework read up on hard vs softwater and fishless cycling.

 

The important thing to remember is that with a bit of research and a commitment to sparing a relatively small amount of time, but regularly, it doesn't need to be that hard work.  I always get cross when I see a murky, stinking tank of green water in the corner of someone's lounge, because with a bit of effort it could be something really smart

Posted

This threads needs to stop popping up, I am trying to resist spending hundreds of pounds on a tank.  Been trawling eBay for an hour now!!

 

You should totally do it, if you can spare an hour or so a week for maintenance

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