The NFC B-Day Chat Thread

[CapricornFarm]

no snowmen for me. But I do see snow flurries then I go to home page. Maybe it's Rob having fun with us.

The main menu had snow men and candy canes.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would think that would be big enough. Needs a top for sure.

They should be fine still.

Thank you both! That's a relief because I already bought the tank a while ago during a $1/gallon sale. Might get them an even bigger one though. Or more fish. I don't feel like setting up a whole nother tank though and I know realistically with the way I haven't been taking good care of the fish, I wouldn't take good care of new fish either. But I was tempted Petsmart has a few pretty big tank kits on sale and a bunch of the fish on sale, including ones I want. Some of the tanks and fish are like half off and some of the Platies, a species I want, and some other fish are buy 3 get 1 free. So it is veryyyyyyyy tempting to set up a tropical community tank. But of course often the supplies in the kits aren't good so I'd have to upgrade anyway but still. Maybe not. The fish at least are a good deal.

How much work would a tropical community tank be compared to the goldfish? Say like a 29 gallon or maybe slightly bigger. I wouldn't go more than 35 or 40.

And would it smell as bad?

If it's not a lot of work then I might do it. But then of course work is subjective and I don't personally find water changes and that very fun. I just like watching the fish. Whereas I could do dog or chicken or goat (if I got them) chores all day lol and most people would consider that more work. So I probably wouldn't get them.

But I am very curious how much work tropicals are compared to goldfish.

And what can live with platies?

Sorry to go off on a tangent and also for always asking all this pet stuff here and derailing the thread. If people would rather I can PM or start my own thread but I just thought I would ask simce theres some knowledgeable people. Also honestly I don't really tend to think or like intentionally derail. Like for instance, I started talking about the gerbil tank size and then tjat just reminded me of the fish and sent me off, completely accidentally. Sorry.

Am I the only one seeing snow and candy canes???? Hmmm, the candy canes have disappeared, I must be seeing things.

You are right no candy canes. I just mentioned them on another thread and wondered where they came from. Maybe they rotate from thread to thread.

Strange indeed, now I'm seeing random snowmen too. I swear I haven't been hitting the holiday sause, nor my head.

I saw snow for a sec!

no snowmen for me. But I do see snow flurries then I go to home page. Maybe it's Rob having fun with us.

Apparently the candy canes were messing up the big OP's so they were removed. I did see them though. Snowmen are on the forums page.

I am loving all the snow and holiday cheer haha

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you both! That's a relief because I already bought the tank a while ago during a $1/gallon sale. Might get them an even bigger one though. Or more fish. I don't feel like setting up a whole nother tank though and I know realistically with the way I haven't been taking good care of the fish, I wouldn't take good care of new fish either. But I was tempted Petsmart has a few pretty big tank kits on sale and a bunch of the fish on sale, including ones I want. Some of the tanks and fish are like half off and some of the Platies, a species I want, and some other fish are buy 3 get 1 free. So it is veryyyyyyyy tempting to set up a tropical community tank. But of course often the supplies in the kits aren't good so I'd have to upgrade anyway but still. Maybe not. The fish at least are a good deal.

How much work would a tropical community tank be compared to the goldfish? Say like a 29 gallon or maybe slightly bigger. I wouldn't go more than 35 or 40.

And would it smell as bad?

If it's not a lot of work then I might do it. But then of course work is subjective and I don't personally find water changes and that very fun. I just like watching the fish. Whereas I could do dog or chicken or goat (if I got them) chores all day lol and most people would consider that more work. So I probably wouldn't get them.

But I am very curious how much work tropicals are compared to goldfish.

And what can live with platies?

Sorry to go off on a tangent and also for always asking all this pet stuff here and derailing the thread. If people would rather I can PM or start my own thread but I just thought I would ask simce theres some knowledgeable people. Also honestly I don't really tend to think or like intentionally derail. Like for instance, I started talking about the gerbil tank size and then tjat just reminded me of the fish and sent me off, completely accidentally. Sorry.













I am loving all the snow and holiday cheer haha

Tropical fish can't handle dirty water like goldfish can. You will need to do more care. Many of those pretty fish won't live long. Most are touchy about water quality and content. If you don't want more work I wouldn't get tropical fish at this time. Your water shouldn't smell, if it does it's time for that water change. I do mine every 7-10 days. It is something you need to keep up with on more delicate fish if you want them to last. I prefer goldfish for the easier care.

You can talk all you want, I totally understand it. My brain does the same thing.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Thank you both! That's a relief because I already bought the tank a while ago during a $1/gallon sale. Might get them an even bigger one though. Or more fish. I don't feel like setting up a whole nother tank though and I know realistically with the way I haven't been taking good care of the fish, I wouldn't take good care of new fish either. But I was tempted Petsmart has a few pretty big tank kits on sale and a bunch of the fish on sale, including ones I want. Some of the tanks and fish are like half off and some of the Platies, a species I want, and some other fish are buy 3 get 1 free. So it is veryyyyyyyy tempting to set up a tropical community tank. But of course often the supplies in the kits aren't good so I'd have to upgrade anyway but still. Maybe not. The fish at least are a good deal.

How much work would a tropical community tank be compared to the goldfish? Say like a 29 gallon or maybe slightly bigger. I wouldn't go more than 35 or 40.

And would it smell as bad?

If it's not a lot of work then I might do it. But then of course work is subjective and I don't personally find water changes and that very fun. I just like watching the fish. Whereas I could do dog or chicken or goat (if I got them) chores all day lol and most people would consider that more work. So I probably wouldn't get them.

But I am very curious how much work tropicals are compared to goldfish.

And what can live with platies?

Except for the fact that platies should have heat, i think they are easier because they do not get as large, therefore less waste to deal with. But i would still recommend cleaning the filter every 2 weeks.
Any other livebearers go well with platies....mollies, guppies, swordtails. Most tetras are good as well, and corydoras cats.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Tropical fish can't handle dirty water like goldfish can. You will need to do more care. Many of those pretty fish won't live long. Most are touchy about water quality and content. If you don't want more work I wouldn't get tropical fish at this time. Your water shouldn't smell, if it does it's time for that water change. I do mine every 7-10 days. It is something you need to keep up with on more delicate fish if you want them to last. I prefer goldfish for the easier care.

You can talk all you want, I totally understand it. My brain does the same thing.

Thanks! That makes sense. And yeah, I think I need to do water more changes way more often but it seems like it's the filter smelling rather than the water? And it gets this gross brown slime all over it. Probably need to change that more often too but it gets on the black part too. Btw I finally changed their water I think the other day. It needed it cause it was like half full or probably way less than half and of course the filter. I never changed it after that conversation.. i know i know. But they seem much happier as they should be. Except I rinsed the black part off and also cleaned the actual filter and wiped the slime off the inside and out. Probably wasn't supposed to do that? Is that slime the bacteria? But i added more bacteria too. Plus it's in the gravel and plants.

But yeah, the goldfish have definitely been pretty easy. I considered selling them recently because I don't like the water stuff and also i thought they gave me a rash (but i think it's just dry skin or maybe the soap?) but then i realized if they live as long as you say they do, I want to watch them grow. I love watching them grow. I think they have even grown more since my last update if that is possible. Soooo..... I think I will keep them. Because I don't want to regret selling them. And it might be more fun later on.

Except for the fact that platies should have heat, i think they are easier because they do not get as large, therefore less waste to deal with. But i would still recommend cleaning the filter every 2 weeks.
Any other livebearers go well with platies....mollies, guppies, swordtails. Most tetras are good as well, and corydoras cats.

Thanks for the info! Goldfish are definitely VERY messy and the filter gets very gross VERY fast and that is the one thing I don't like about them but they are hardy and dont mind it. Although I should be on top of it anyway.

And thanks for the info on the compatible species!

 

[JaeG]

Thanks! That makes sense. And yeah, I think I need to do water more changes way more often but it seems like it's the filter smelling rather than the water? And it gets this gross brown slime all over it. Probably need to change that more often too but it gets on the black part too. Btw I finally changed their water I think the other day. It needed it cause it was like half full or probably way less than half and of course the filter. I never changed it after that conversation.. i know i know. But they seem much happier as they should be. Except I rinsed the black part off and also cleaned the actual filter and wiped the slime off the inside and out. Probably wasn't supposed to do that? Is that slime the bacteria? But i added more bacteria too. Plus it's in the gravel and plants.

But yeah, the goldfish have definitely been pretty easy. I considered selling them recently because I don't like the water stuff and also i thought they gave me a rash (but i think it's just dry skin or maybe the soap?) but then i realized if they live as long as you say they do, I want to watch them grow. I love watching them grow. I think they have even grown more since my last update if that is possible. Soooo..... I think I will keep them. Because I don't want to regret selling them. And it might be more fun later on.



Thanks for the info! Goldfish are definitely VERY messy and the filter gets very gross VERY fast and that is the one thing I don't like about them but they are hardy and dont mind it. Although I should be on top of it anyway.

And thanks for the info on the compatible species!

Use tank water to rinse or clean any part of the filter. That way you aren't killing off the beneficial bacteria that look after the nitrogen cycle that uses up the excess ammonia the fish produce. Otherwise the tank has to re-cycle again. That's also why you never change a lot of water all at once. This is a good article about it:
https://www.thespruce.com/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-1378370

Goldfish are messy. I always liked my tropicals in a planted tank. I love gouramis. And tiny fish like Ember Tetras. I always loved cleaning my tanks. Not sure why - I think I liked making them look pretty and it was relaxing. You are making me want a tank again! Only problem is I want a little tank with little fish and hubby wants a huge tank with big fish!

When you get some gerbils don't forget to share some photos. Rodent wise we only have rats and mice here.

If you can stand to hand rear a finch (it's not too bad from 10 days old but feeds need to be every 2 hours, 3 hours at the most until they are weaned) they are fabulous little pets.

 

[JaeG]

I saw the snowflakes on the home page...pretty (and not cold)!

@JaeG the little dark guy on your finger, is that TT? Cute!

Yes, that's our tiny terror! Once full s/he calms down and quite likes a tickle, but when hungry! Geeze!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Use tank water to rinse or clean any part of the filter. That way you aren't killing off the beneficial bacteria that look after the nitrogen cycle that uses up the excess ammonia the fish produce. Otherwise the tank has to re-cycle again. That's also why you never change a lot of water all at once. This is a good article about it:
https://www.thespruce.com/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-1378370

Goldfish are messy. I always liked my tropicals in a planted tank. I love gouramis. And tiny fish like Ember Tetras. I always loved cleaning my tanks. Not sure why - I think I liked making them look pretty and it was relaxing. You are making me want a tank again! Only problem is I want a little tank with little fish and hubby wants a huge tank with big fish!

When you get some gerbils don't forget to share some photos. Rodent wise we only have rats and mice here.

If you can stand to hand rear a finch (it's not too bad from 10 days old but feeds need to be every 2 hours, 3 hours at the most until they are weaned) they are fabulous little pets.

Thanks for the article! So did I completely ruin the tank/cycle? I was trying to wash the white/hard minerals off it. I don't think I managed to get most of the slime part off it. Plus didn't touch the gravel, plants, or their hide or anything. Hopefully there's still bacteria in the tank? I added more though but yeah

And aww maybe you could compromise? Get two tanks? Or enough plants and hiding spaces for smaller ones to coexist with bigger ones?

And I'll definitely share pictures!!

And they're adorable but i dont think i could do that hah i don't know how you do it with all those babies and all the cockatiel babies plus human children and a husband. I'd be burnt out lol

 

[N F C]

 

[DigMyChicks]

Our regular UPS delivery guy told DH that when they're busy, their supervisor told the drivers to not come out here. Are you kidding me?!?!?

No matter now, I drove into town to the PO where they had left it. I do have one more package coming later this week. Wonder where that one will end up.

I know they are busy this time of the year as my oldest is a holiday helper for UPS this year but that’s no excuse for not delivering. Good luck in your hunt Debby.

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Crack me up!

Have you all seen this thread?
a-chickens-night-before-christmas.1212750

Love that!!

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Good morning Debby and all...so glad it’s Friday!!