As is true with most people in their early 20's, our future plans are unclear. Right now, we're going to try to have as much fun as we can with the tanks we have, because although we now have the space for more tanks, we don't have the time to do a good job with any more fish, and we don't want to use up too much electricity on heating the tanks and running filters. We're slobbering over every 125 gallon tank we see, but I think we'll have to hold out for at least a few more years, until we can reinforce the floor in our house, and gauge our free time a little better. I'd also like to try building a plywood tank and a pond, but that too will have to wait. We might start working on pond ideas this winter, and implement them in the spring. Fishkeeping is a fantastic hobby - allowing the hobbyist to strike a perfect balance between tinkering, creating, and observing and relaxing. We're continuously trying to maintain that balance.

Another thing we've been struggling with is curbing our tendency to branch out uncontrollably. It's easy to end up with over 50 species of fish scattered throughout a dozen or so tanks, but that leaves no room for breeding, for establishing low fish density planted tanks, or species tanks where behavior can be explored in more detail, and the conditions of the tank can be tailored closely to the needs of that species of fish. We've often fantasized about concentrating on one kind of fish, but inevitably, that $1 bag of fish that "I've always wanted" comes up with me from the fish club auctions, and we end up diversifying once more. We'd love to have a salt water tank too, but we've decided to hold off on that (exercising our one remaining shred of self-control :-).

Words of advice...

• never buy cheap heaters, they are not worth it. I've had so many cheap heaters "go out" on me, I can't believe I even own any anymore. A while ago, I noticed while feeding my fish, that one of my tanks had shot up from its usual 75 degrees to 95 degrees F! The livebearers and gobies in the tank were mostly sitting on the bottom gravel, gasping. Instead of being on time for work, I was forced to do a 30% water change to bring the temperature down to 80 or so. UGH Ugh ugh. I have Visitherm and Ebo Jager (the best in my opinion) heaters in other tanks that I can truly "set and forget" - the temperature never budges in those tanks. Make it a habit of checking your water temperature when you feed your fish - either stick your finger in or feel the glass (not very accurate but you'll notice if it's really far off), or get a thermometer and check that periodically. Stability is often more important than absolute temperature. Most fish are happy between 72 and 78 F, as long as the temp. doesn't change very quickly.

• try to buy at least a 20 gallon tank, if you're just getting started. You'll be able to keep more fish with less work, and because there is more water involved, the tank will have a more stable temperature, pH, etc. Also, anything smaller than a 20 gallon seems like a puddle. Larger tanks look like picture windows - a moving, living piece of artwork - a little semi-ecosystem in your livingroom. It's well worth the small extra initial cost.

• Be skeptical of "package deals". Many pet shops will package a tank with a bunch of equipment and claim to sell it at a discount. Although that particular package may indeed cost less than the components purchased separately, be careful. Many of the items in the "package deals" are unnecessary - you may never use them. Also, most of the time the equipment that is bundled is NOT the highest quality (usually it's near the low end). Although it may cost a bit more initially, you'll almost always be better off buying a high quality submersible heater (like an Ebo Jager), a high quality filter like an Aquaclear or Whisper (there are others too), a hood with a fluorescent light fixture (NOT incandescent), a thermometer, some gravel (fine is much better than coarse, natural colors bring out the fish's beauty), etc. separately. Other things that I'd consider standard are a soft, fine mesh net, a pH testing kit and an ammonia testing kit.
• Don't let anyone sucker you into getting very aggressive, predatory or territorial fish, or fish that grow to be huge ( I consider huge, on a home aquarium scale, to be longer than 6 inches). Buy them if you *want* to, but consider that you can keep lots of different kinds of livebearers, or peaceful community fish, or you can keep that one oscar. :)

• Always ask about the final adult size of each fish and keep that in mind. You don't want to buy 20 baby fish only to have an overcrowded tank in 6 months.
• Buy a few good books or magazines. There is plenty of bad literature out there, but there are also some really wonderful books available that are aimed at the beginner. A library is a good place to start if you can't afford to buy books, but take everything with a grain of salt. Magazines are a fun way to stay informed - there are at least 3 different good fish magazines in the USA. They have columns that interest beginners and more advanced hobbyists, and often have great question and answer columns, which is a good place to learn.

• Try to find information on fish clubs near your area. You can learn a whole lot from other fishkeepers, and often being able to talk to an experienced, relaxed community of people will change your whole outlook on the hobby. Many fish clubs bring speakers to talk, and show slideshows on fish from all over the world. Even if there isn't a fish club close to home, it's worth a drive to any yearly fish auctions or shows. You can often get unusual fish and plants that are almost impossible to find in pet stores, for much less money. Most fish and plants sold in hobby auctions are also much more healthy and disease free than the typical pet store fish. You may not consider yourself a "serious" fish keeper, or the type of person to join a club, but you should still give it a try, you might be really surprised.

Last Updated January, 2000