Tales From the Tank #25

As I sit here playing my gazillioth game of Bejeweled Blitz, and people are liking the post I just put on Facebook, I realize I haven't posted any new "Tales From the Tank".

To be philisophical, one could think my posts are about life within the five fish tanks we have, or it's about life within the "Tank" that keeps us warm and dry during the rain and cold weather....(ie: our house) LOL.

But little did you know that a year ago (during Christmas break)  Matt decided to buy a "spottled gecko" (two actually).  I tried to talk him out of it, I really did - but as a parent you know this just might be one of those "lessons"you have to let happen.

Afer break, Matt took my two new "grand-geckos" back to school with him.  This last spring I got a panicked phone call at work. "MOM! - I think there's an egg in the tank".  (oh wait - I forgot to tell you they live in a 10 gallon FISH tank).

Apparently it's just as difficult to "sex" geckos as it is fish - so you never really know what you're getting.  So I ask "How's it feel to be a parent".....? He replied, "I don't have time for this, I can't take care of three! What am I going to do?"

I told him, find the pet store in Oskaloosa, they'll take her or him (deciding which one you keep) in -and her/him a new home as an adoptable pet.  "Will they buy him"? he asked.  "No Matt, they can only buy from reputable pet breeders. You will just giving her/him up for adoption". 

"Well, what do I do with the egg"? he asked.  Being the ever-thoughtful Mom, I said "Flush it down the toilet. That's what we do with the dead fish". 

So when summer was over, and I went to Pella to move him from the rental house back to the dorms, he said, "With football camp starting, I need help with Loki (the name of the gecko). Can you bring him home and take care of him for a couple weeks"? 

Being the ever-thoughtful and considerate Mom I said "Sure".

So for the last few months, we've been taking care of our grand-gecko. Switching the daylight and nightlight, filling his water dish, cleaning up his poop (just like the dang dog), filling his water dish and giving him worms.  Geez....he eats a lot of worms for such a little guy.

I am thankful though...at least it's not diapers and formula. I think DHS would have a word or two with me if I kept a baby in a fish tank.

Tales from the Tank #24

Today's post contains material that may not be suitable for all readers.

We will begin with the definition of the word FISHKILL. From Answers.com: Mass death of many fish, usually in a restricted area.

Well, the restricted area is a 40 gallon fish tank positioned in the corner of our living room.  I can't say that it's been a "mass" death although we've lost about six or seven fish total.

Apparently, when you don't stay on track with regular water changes (ie: become LAZY) - your tank may become "unbalanced" where the nitrates are too high and the Ph is too low. This can cause the death of your fish. We've lost about six of our Kenyi African cichlids (see photo), one electric yellow and we're pretty sure an Auratus, because we can't find her.

Last Sunday we finally cleaned the tanks (yes all the tanks), and then Tuesday we found another dead Kenyi.  Then on the morning of the 4th, we found a dead electric yellow cichlid - and a carcass (you know part head with a little bit of skin left). So I called the pet store and they were open (for a little bit) - so we hopped on the motorcycle and took a water sample out to the pet store (which is how we found out about the unbalanced tank).  It was recommended to us to do another 50% water change and add some organic coral (which is a natural Ph balancer) to the rock bed.

We were told to rinse it really good, because no matter what it will turn your water milky. (Which is a complete understatement). When we got home we emptied the tank of all the decor, and then Terry added the coral.  We then had to work in the dark (I mean milk) to place the decor back in the tank and then wait for the filter to do it's job in clearing the excess stuff.

So far so good....no more dead fish.

Oh I forgot - we have a pleco in the tank but you can never see him. So when we emptied the tank we shook all the decor to see if he would come out and he never did.  When we got back from the pet store- he was in the bottom of a the 5 gallon bucket (in about a 1/2 of water) - so at least he didn't die.  I have figured out that even though the fish are fun to look at (peaceful and serene) - there is just not the same emotional attachment to them like you have with a cat or dog.

After all, you can't flush your dog.

Tales from the Tank #23

Princess and the Pea

It's been a while since I've actually written anything down - until now...

This past weekend Matt was home from Pella. He stays down there during the summer to work full-time, hang out with other guys on the team and weight lift.

On Sunday morning, he walked past the tank that has our Angel fish and yelled "Mom! Why is this fish floating on it's side?".

I rushed out of the office and over to the tank and reached in to touch the fish. It looked as though it was having trouble breathing and it's little tummy was really bloated - but he was still alive.  So I yelled for Terry and he came running upstairs.

 "I bet he has swim bladder disease since he can't do anything but float on his side. I said "I don't really want to flush him while he's still alive - that's like fish murder. What are we going to do, the extra tank is still filled with the baby cichlids" "Go get the baby net" he replied.

I ran (the house isn't that big so it's really a fast walk) into the other room, found the little net we use to separate the brand new babies (so they don't get eaten), and put the sick little Angel fish in it.  As I was doing this, Terry booted up the computer and started his research.  He said we need to put a pea into the net with him.  "A pea? Really?"

So I went to the freezer and low and behold...NO Peas!

Well, we were going to HyVee anyway for stuff to grill - so I would pick up some peas.  Off to the grocery store we went (Matt and I).  Came back with some steaks, and a sweet potato for Matt.  Let me digress here.....Matt works at the HyVee in Pella and is always calling me to say "have you tried a Pomegranate yet", or a Ugli fruit, or etc. You can imagine my surprise when he wanted to try a sweet potato.  If HyVee would employ kids when they are 2-3 years old - no kid would ever refuse to eat their fruits and vegetables! LOL.

When we got home, and I unloaded the bag of groceries, Terry said "Where are the peas?". CRAP.
I totally forgot to buy the peas.

I got home and Terry said we have to warm the peas in our hand so we can pop the pea guts out of the skin - so I did.

Monday morning he was still swimming on his side. Then Terry said one of the articles he read said they hand feed their Angel fish since he couldn't swim down to the peas.  So I reached in to hold the fish - not an easy job mind you - and feed smashed peas into a fish about the size of a silver dollar with a mouth the size of a pin head.  Really?  Yes. I did. Even worse, Terry got a toothpick and was trying to hold it's mouth open while I force fed peas to an Angel fish. OMG.

Tuesday morning...he was still swimming on his side.  So I just squished a couple more peas into his net.  I figured the fish has to be like the dog...or a kid. If it gets hungry enough, it will figure out how to eat on his own. 

Wednesday morning - he was swimming right side up. Go figure. The moral of this short story?

If you are feeling a little upside down and bloated - eat frozen pea guts.

Fish jokes...from my Sister...

The Blonde's Goldfish

A blonde gets carried away at a pet shop and ends up buying over a hundred goldfish. When she gets home she finds that there are so many of them that the
only place she can keep them is in her bathtub. One day she invites her friend over to see all her beautiful goldfish. The friend is impressed and remarks, "They surely are beautiful, but what do you do when you want to take a bath?" "Oh, that's not a problem," the blonde replies, brightly, "I blindfold them."

Barbs' Sunday Adventure

Another One Bites the Dust

On Sunday morning my phone rang. Kathi asked me if I wanted to go horseback riding. My reply, "YOU BET!"  She said, "Be at our house at 11 am, we're going to Matsell Bridge".  (Please note: I've been three other times).

Then I called Terry (who was busy being a great provider and working), and asked if he cared if I went riding, to which he replied "Heck no, why would I care?".  I left Matt (still home on break) a note explaining where I went and that he needed to 1. empty the dishwasher and 2. fold the bath towels and put them away.

When we got to Matsell Bridge park, we met up with seven of their friends. As Joel and Kathi got the horses out of the trailer, I did what I could to help, but sometimes it's best if I just stay out of the way. LOL 

I never used to think I was short, but I either need a stool to get up on the horse, or somebody has to give me a boost. (Must be the lack of upper body strength). The sad thing is I was on Prince, who is a bit shorter than either of the other horses... Go figure.  I must say being outside in the early part of January with just a few layers on a bright sunny day is sometimes just what you need after being cooped up in a office cubicle all week.

Over the river and through the wood, to all kinds of clearings we went. The horse knew the way to carry me that day, through the brush and fallen trees. (yes..you know the tune, and yes I'm taking liberties with the words). 

Over the river and through the wood, wow! all kinds of trails we found. The horse knew the way to stay with the pack, except when the log was too tall to cross. 

Yes, this is where the bright sunny day takes on an ominous hue....apparently Prince did not want to cross over the log and wouldn't take or didn't like the gentle nudging to move forward. Now, if you've never ridden before let me give the first most important lesson of the day. DO NOT pull back on the reins very hard or very many times. Whys that? Well, a gentle tug back will tell the horse to back up.  A hard pull on the reigns is a bit like being choked from behind and they just don't like it.

As I, the inexperience rider started to panic, Joel began to yell, "DON'T PULL BACK", but it was too late. 

Yep. I pulled back on the reigns...and apparently that's horse talk for put your front legs as high in the air as you can and then the person choking you will fall off your back and that will be it. 

Apparently I landed between a couple trees, leg on one, head on the other. Joel's sister (who thankfully is a nurse), ran over and said "Don't move"....then gently started making sure nothing was broken, told me to open my eyes, and follow her finger...and wow was the sun bright. First thing I said...."I don't suppose any of you got that on film did you". Which must have meant my brain wasn't too rattled cuz I didn't lose my sense of humor.

So I gently got up, sat on a log, got some water and ibuprofen (gee...does this happen a lot?) All while the guys were trying to make Prince (who really didn't want to step over the log) finally step over the log. 

After about 20 minutes, they brought him over to a little rise and I got back on.  As we started back on the trail I said, "Wow, now I know what it really means to "get back up on the horse".  

  

Tales from the Tank #22

UmmUmm Good!
 (click video while you read)

When we started becoming aquarium hobbyists....little did we know that eventually we would be opening a fast food restaurant. Really? you ask. Why of course - but we didn't realize it until a few weeks ago.

Did you know that sharks and catfish are Ominvores?

Although the term omnivore literally means "eater of everything," omnivores really cannot eat everything that other animals eat; they can eat only things that are moderately easy to acquire while being moderately nutritious. For example, most omnivores cannot live by grazing (not nutritious enough), nor are they able to eat some hard-shelled animals or successfully hunt large or fast prey (difficult to acquire).1

As you know a month or so ago, we moved our community fish to a 55 gallon tank (that's when we lost the clown loaches).  Then we bought a couple new fish for the tank, Golden Gouramis, and some extra red Surapine Tetras (cuz they like to school).  

Low and behold....one by one our fish began disappearing.  Yup. Gone. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. No bones, no floating carcass....not so much as a spec of tail fin.  So that's when we decided it must be the sharks - or maybe the catfish we NEVER see (he feeds at night).  Sharks ALWAYS get a bad rap. Doesn't matter that there are at least three or four fish in the tank that are about 4-5 inches...the catfish has a pretty big belly. 

So we are down at least seven fish...so I see a shopping trip in my very near future.....I was thinking some of the $0.13 cent goldfish to distract the big guys when I put in the other kind of fish.  One can only hope right?

1. wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnivore

Tales from the Tank #21

These are the "Days of our Lives"...

October 2011:

• Barb and Terry acquire another 55 gallon tank and start to collect cichlids.
• They decide one tank of cichlids is not enough so they adopt out their silver dollars, matt's common goldfish and move all the "community fish" from the 40 gallon tank comprised of mollies, platys, sharks, gouramis, etc into the 55 gallon tank in the office. (Terry says so the sharks will get bigger).

November 2011: 

• One of the clown loaches dies...not sure why. Suddenly the 55 gallon tank is infested with ick (remember ick from earlier posts?).  
• One by One...all of the most coveted clown loaches die from stress. :-(
• Stress? Seriously you say?  Well yes, if you were used to having three big brothers and all of a sudden they moved into a new place and your 30 cousins dropped into live with you - you'd go into shock as well and probably die from lack of privacy and the sheer commotion the little brats cause.
• We say goodbye to all our clown fish and send them to that big pond in the sky (insert flush).
• We create a second cichlid tank upstairs with the "babies" we are fostering from Kathi J. a mix of Obi and fish with eyes like goggles.
• We buy more cichlids.  I keep thinking .... shouldn't we be concentrating on acquiring Christmas presents? Oh wait...that's right...we are acquiring Christmas gifts...ours!

December 2011:

• Barb turns 50 on December 10th and some of her wonderful friends decide what a great thing it would be to put a giant plywood sign in her yard that says "HONK" Barb is 50. Starting at 5 am the day before her birthday.
• I must admire the talent all my friends and family have for LYING!.  The only reason I found out who did it was because in the true definition of a NAG...Terry was really tired of me asking for the 800th time...Who did it?
• One day...I said to Terry, "Boy, for some reason it looks like we are missing fish in the 55 gallon tank in the office".  So we sat down to inventory.
• Platys? Nope. Swordtails? Nope - wait there's the big orange and black one. Whoa --where the two yellow Gouramis? Oh, whew, there's one.  Well where the @#$% is the other one - a two inch fish just can't disapper? 
• Oh...did I forget to tell you the silver fin shark is growing?  Hum.....can you say live bait?
• Oh Yeah...didn't Terry WANT the sharks to GET BIGGER?
• So now we have about 18 fish as compared to 30. 

• Barb gets a riding lesson on the scooter she gets for her birthday. Turning is not a pretty thing.
• Terry brings home motorcyle permit study guides.  
• Barb & Terry go to take the permit test on Dec 23.  We were pretty sure of ourselves - but we both flunked. Oh well...there's next year. LOL

That pretty much sums up the last two months.....My 2012 resolution...to write more often and keep the humor alive.  Merry Christmas to my family and friends. I am blessed to have you in my life.