Newbiedoobydo
Member
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2015
- Messages
- 39
So, I've had my fish for a fortnight (rescued from a neighbour, currently in a storage tub whilst big tank cycles - the goldfish that is, not the neighbour!). Already I have made sooo many mistakes.
Mistake number 1 - rushing out and buying test strips, filter aid bacteria and plastic plants. I know. Plastic plants .
Mistake number 2 - buying a second hand tank without a stand and then working out how much it would weigh when filled . Which brings me on to -
Mistake number 3 - thinking a tank which weighed 26 stones + would sit happily on a gateleg dining room table. To test this, I invited my neighbour round to lie on the table with me. She assured me that our combined weights would exceed 26 stones. Much giggling but also shrieks of alarm at the disturbing creaking noises coming from the table...
Mistake number 4 - buying a lovely solid pine sideboard, setting the tank on it and filling it up, only to realise that it wasn't level . Thankfully another neighbour came round and helped me shim the cabinet.
Mistake number 5 - chucking a large fistful of goldfish flakes into a stocking, hanging it in the tank, and leaving the heater on until the water was about 27C. Then waking up this morning to an horrendous smell permeating every room in the house.
I'm just off to do a water change on the goldies and on the cycling tank. Should keep me occupied until bedtime.
What mistakes did you make when you started?
Mistake number 1 - rushing out and buying test strips, filter aid bacteria and plastic plants. I know. Plastic plants .
Mistake number 2 - buying a second hand tank without a stand and then working out how much it would weigh when filled . Which brings me on to -
Mistake number 3 - thinking a tank which weighed 26 stones + would sit happily on a gateleg dining room table. To test this, I invited my neighbour round to lie on the table with me. She assured me that our combined weights would exceed 26 stones. Much giggling but also shrieks of alarm at the disturbing creaking noises coming from the table...
Mistake number 4 - buying a lovely solid pine sideboard, setting the tank on it and filling it up, only to realise that it wasn't level . Thankfully another neighbour came round and helped me shim the cabinet.
Mistake number 5 - chucking a large fistful of goldfish flakes into a stocking, hanging it in the tank, and leaving the heater on until the water was about 27C. Then waking up this morning to an horrendous smell permeating every room in the house.
I'm just off to do a water change on the goldies and on the cycling tank. Should keep me occupied until bedtime.
What mistakes did you make when you started?