Rastinger62 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 This hobby is way too addictive lol. back to only owning big colonies of kapmapa frontosa, 2 pairs of festae, demasoni, blue dolphins and maybe some more yellows in the near future. Hoping to pair up my veil tail oscar in the future I owned about 23 big tanks, 15 different large colonies before this and family with 4 kids came first just compared to my addiction so it had to go. Dunno about you.... but it has ruled my life for 2 years now and all I talk about is fish. Some like and and some don't but I really don't care. Most of them that say they they hate fish end up hitting me up to buy them a tank 3 months later after spending time in my fish room lol. I've Met some top long term friends from these sites and my group but also talked to some dooche bags which try to wreck it for us all but without a doubt the great people in this hobby keeps me going. All and all it's a great hobby for the common Joe Blow to get into and have a blast. I really have no idea what the point of this rant was but I love my hobby and the challenges I face everyday That's fish and that's my hobby of choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azedenkae Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hahaha, sounds like you're so addicted you need to rant about your addiction mate. ;D Don't worry tho, we're all basically that addicted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastinger62 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hahaha, sounds like you're so addicted you need to rant about your addiction mate. ;D Don't worry tho, we're all basically that addicted. haha Hung. You know how addicted I am lol you get to see it first hand before most lol. the cull back was a great ideal. Keeping the things I really want for the future. family time here I come lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I know we haven't seen eye to eye on other topics James but I must admit I am on the same page as you with the whole fish addiction. Sometimes life gets in the way and we downsize, then expand, then downsize, but even when we don't have tanks the passion remains. Outside of work I live and breath fish. I get a huge amount of personal gratification out of the hobby and I am lucky to have a partner who tolerates my obsessive interest. I would love to talk fish more often but I struggle to find willing ears. Even amongst hobbyists our interests, experiences and goals vary and it can be hard to find others on the same level. I struggle to go more than a few hours at work without checking a forum or two, or maybe even just having fish related thoughts. I generally go to sleep at night planning my next great fish room innovation. Perhaps I should seek counseling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch86 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I couldn't agree more, the hobby can takeover. It seams that the more I learn the worse the addiction becomes. I think this forum does fuel the fire too! Lately I have upgraded my tank from a 3 ft (i had for 12 years) to a 6ft and I have obsessed about it since... Now that's done I want another one but that might lead to a divorce, my wife hates fighting for my attention over the tank! At night I turn off the tv and we both sit back in the dark and watch the fish, its so peacfull. I guess that's the best part, seeing someone else who doesn't share the same passion appreciate it. Driving trucks for a living gets very boring but dreaming up my next aquarium kills the time and kms like you wouldn't believe. Anyway, Better keep an eye on the road now, Over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I too was hooked on keeping and breeding Malawis. Enjoyed it back in the 80's then had a break after we moved house. Got back into it in 2005 and lasted till 2011. I enjoyed the challenges of trying to get certain species to breed and when it finally happened i felt good. Just trying different foods and different substrates to attempt to get the best colours out of the fish was interesting. But with rising water and electricity costs plus having the tanks in a spare bedroom [mould] i decided to sell up. Sometimes i wish i was doing it again considering the lack of quality Malawis available, it would be a challenge to find decent bloodlines. Meantime i will enjoy this forum to get my fix!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 In my younger days I set myself the challenge of breeding as many species as possible and was successful with literally hundreds of species (or variants there of.) These days I am no longer motivated by such tallies, but instead I am keeping species that I chose because I personally have a soft spot for them. I guess the challenge I have set myself now is more about increasing the availability of quality specimens rather than sitting back and whinging about the generally downward trend in the quality of stock without taking any action. The other big focus of mine at the moment is improving fish room design in terms of filtration, ease of maintenance, general design and overall quality. My next fish room, whilst not being large in any way (less than 50 tanks and under 10,000L) should still be a sight to behold and include several innovations never before seen on these forums (or elsewhere for that matter.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Also i met some tightasses whingers and wonderful people. It is good to meet other people who share the same passion as yourself. It's also great to take your juvies to a lfs to sell to get some of your hard earned back and checkout their stock while you are there. But the most pleasant experience for me was a forum member who onsold fish, coming to my house and buying 100's of juvies. I didn't have to bag them just put them in drums. Cleared heaps of tanks to make room for more fry. That is my life story,exciting hey?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Following on from something fishy's thread, one strange feeling that I have experienced a few times and some of you will understand what I mean, is when you either manage to track down some of your old breeders or their progeny, especially when they are quality stock. Its a nice little warm and funny feeling of satisfaction. Now if only I could remember who I sold my 3rd generation Mpanga colony to or any of their thousands of offspring, I would be a happy man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenswimmers Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 The thing I love most about the hobby is you keep learning.You can never know it all and there will always be something fresh to inspire you and if there isnt well then maybe you have stopped learning I began with goldfish and now deal with goldfish....plus a whole other wide assortment of underwater goodies that inhabit this great planet.The worlds a big place and there is just too many biotypes and species of fish to ever be bored if you ask me ...one thing though that is true for everything...while your busy making plans life happens..so enjoy it while you can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Matt said: "The other big focus of mine at the moment is improving fish room design in terms of filtration, ease of maintenance, general design and overall quality. My next fish room, whilst not being large in any way (less than 50 tanks and under 10,000L) should still be a sight to behold and include several innovations never before seen on these forums (or elsewhere for that matter.) " Another massive call. Did you see borntobreed's fish shed. Very innovative and included auto water changes.And that was in 2007. I have seen DFishkeeper's another excellent setup and he has been breeding for many years. I have seen JWoods fish room very good. I hope you can come up with new ideas that WORK, but meanwhile best to get it operating smoothly before making these claims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Not really a massive call, I simply said it will be a sight to behold. I'm not sure if it would necessarily be better than anyone else's room, but it will be different that's for sure. This will be fish room number 5; each one is an evolution of the last, some ideas are retained, some are dropped. When it will really become interesting will be designing room #6. A few of my concepts for #5 are untested. It might be the greatest thing since sliced bread, or it could fall flat on its face. We shall see I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenswimmers Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 should still be a sight to behold and include several innovations never before seen on these forums (or elsewhere for that matter.) Yes this is a massive call considering how many people keep fish worldwide and that this is only one of many many forums...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I probably should modify that sentence to end with "that I have seen." My point was I'll be going out on a limb to try some original ideas that I have never seen used before. It may work, it may not work, we shall see. Its just another fun part of the fish game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve6610 Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 I probably should modify that sentence to end with "that I have seen." My point was I'll be going out on a limb to try some original ideas that I have never seen used before. It may work, it may not work, we shall see. Its just another fun part of the fish game. as long as we get to see pics, either way, working or not , i'm always changing things, not sure how jules puts up with it, but i'm about 60% happy with my set up now, it was 90% but now i want some more africans so back to changing things again, don't you just wish you hadn't sold that breeding rack, or tank, or colony, i know i do, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 I wish we could generate more discussion on here in regards to some of the more technical aspects of building a fish room. It is one topic that whilst talked about in many, many places, I have yet to stumble across a single thread or resource that covers all relevant points in the same place at the same time. Sharing our successes and failures is a great way to learn. I post up what worked for me, and what didn't, you take that info on board and try to further improve the good points and find a way to correct the flaws. Then I go to build my next room and I can learn from you learning from me, and so the cycle continues. My previous fish room was for the most part some sort of ******* child taking inspiration from several fish rooms (including a few from QLDAF members), with a personal touch or two thrown in. Whilst some aspects were successful, I wouldn't bother with them again. Others (considering it was the first time I tried certain concepts) I will never go without again. My next room will probably be the furthest leap in terms of my own personal fish room evolution. A central filter system without what we would typically consider to be a sump is the key point of difference from my previous setups. Its been nearly 6 months in the planning, and will be another 6 months yet before I finalise how the room will hopefully run for the next 2 years. I think I'm going a little off topic here, perhaps I should start a thread on fish room design? Would anyone be interested in joining in the discussion if I did so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddo Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 That is the thing I love about fishkeeping there is always room for improvement and as long as we learn from our mistakes is all that matter. My room is pretty ghetto but it works for me as I dont have a big budget to work with the family comes first there, and I dont have a large space to work with. Matt dont take to much notice of the knockers do what you feel is right work with it and make it happen. I have been knocked from pillar to post in this industry but I am still here because it is the passion for fishkeeping that keeps me going. One day I will be able to afford to build the room I want. Its just patience and time. Yes I too have been to some fantastic rooms and there is 1 setup that only 2 people besides the owner has ever seen and 1 day I hope I can build something like it. This room was over 1000 tanks strong and had more varieties of african in 1 place with over 250 000 fry pumped out every 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqc247 Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 (edited) Braddo: Yes I too have been to some fantastic rooms and there is 1 setup that only 2 people besides the owner has ever seen and 1 day I hope I can build something like it .... Just randomly browsing threads and... Yep Braddo, i was that other person - a real privilege to see it in full production and where the fish trail has lead them now... Yes, great to see the fish available these days, the people that are maintaining the species and the refinement of forums. Pretty much fate when things time right - a roller coaster on the flip side; bit like any other addiction........ Edited January 23, 2013 by aqc247 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfnq Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 I think its the enthusiasm and love of the hobby if its one tank or 100 it doesnt matter as long as you are enjoying it we are all bound by room area and budget unless you have unlimited room and money and its not hard to start incinerating alot of $$$$$$$$$$ when setting up . I am in the process of setting up a small setup of 15 tanks three and four footers to add to the ones i already have and think the concept of a specific fishroom thread/ topic would be great ,regardless if you have leads and tubes running everywhere or if your fishroom is a virtual sterile environment we can all learn from it. cheers.....mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betta Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Hello everyone, my name is Betta S & I am an aquaholic, I have been an aquaholic now for 22years & I don't ever want to quit. Seriously though, I am addicted to fish & aquatic creatures & I think as GS said, it's the constant learning that keeps you interested. Also matt, I wouldn't worry about thinking your off topic, I think your passion for an ultimate fish room just proves the point this thread was started for, we are all addicted to at least one aspect of fishkeeping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fishroom Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 I think we are all a bunch of sad cases.... lol Im in the same boat, constantly, constantly changing, looking for, finding, then changing again..... It doesnt matter whether you have 6 tanks (as I do) or 106 tanks.... its takes its toll. Looking forward to just stopping for abit, sitting back, and enjoying the fish I have. PS see you all at next weeks Fish Auction !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betta Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Oh yeah, I forgot to mention how tragic I am, I have just bought a nano tank & set it up on my desk at work to help with the withdrawals I get each day, so tragic lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddo Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 lol I was just thinking the same even though I have a 5fter sitting next to me in my office. And alot of tanks in my shed to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISSY Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 More fish auctions comming think that says enough... See you guys there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betta Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 That's cool dude, the LumiQ is well worth the money, I'm totally loving it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
