Thanks for the awesome information to everyone at AC!

[Glasstapper]

I hadn't realized how much I had been learning from all of you until today. I was at one of my pet stores today getting new filter media for my tank and decided to go look at the tanks (as I always do!). There was a man standing there looking confused as he gazed at the huge wall of different tanks. I saw him looking intently at the red oscars, so I looked in the tank as well. There was a dead one on the bottom (had been there a while, too, from the looks of it), a very weak one barely alive floating at the top, and several others with worms hanging out of them (yeah, it was PetSmart...ugh). I casually told him that he may want to consider getting his oscars at another store. He asked why, and that's when I realized that he was clueless on how to shop for fish.

Long story short, we ended up going through almost all of the tanks discussing the different species. He had a 20 gallon he had bought for his kid to keep a goldfish in and was looking for some different kinds to put in there. Even though I have never kept goldfish, cichlids, oscars, or any of the other species he was interested in, I still had a wealth of knowledge about them to pass on to him about their care and compatability that I learned from your discussions.

It's amazing what one can learn just by reading the threads here from all the knowledgeable posters. I thank you, and I'm sure the guy at PetSmart thanks you. Well done, AC! I owe my knowledge of this hobby to you! :)

[Lady Hobbs]

You got that right. Where you been? Missed you here lately and now you'll soon be running off again. You were a nice person to help that guy out.

[jeffs99dime]

very nice of you glasstapper!

[Glasstapper]

You got that right. Where you been? Missed you here lately and now you'll soon be running off again. You were a nice person to help that guy out.

I had to go take a computer program class in New Jersey. I really don't like travelling and taking two trips in one month has me in a pretty cranky mood. ;) I just don't fly very well. I always get pretty queasy, especially on the landing.

After this, though, I won't be taking any more trips for a very long time!

[Lady Hobbs]

I'm always helping old people with their groceries, loading their cars, etc, and then I walk to MY handicap parking spot and get in MY car. LOL Always someone out there that could use a hand and I know this man appreciated your kindness. His kid would be upset to get a bunch of sick and diseased fish for Christmas. Did you tell him to cycling his tank???????? lol

[kimmers318]

Glad to see you could catch us on the fly glasstapper....how are the fish holding up for you with the light situation?

[Glasstapper]

hobbs - I asked him about cycling, and he looked at me like "huh?". lol I explained briefly about cycling, and he said he's already had one goldfish in there for a couple of months. I said that it was probably cycled by now, but I recommended he do frequent water changes (goldfish are messy) -again he looked at me like "huh?" I explained how to do water changes and to be sure to use a bucket that's never ever seen soap or any other chemicals and new is best. I also recommended he get a water testing kit to see how his water parameters are before adding new fish. again...."huh?"

LOL I told him the best thing he could do for his wallet, the kid, and the fish would be to just google goldfish care and he would be able to get all of his other questions answered. I'm glad I had the opportunity to maybe save a few fish. ;)

Kimmers- my fish are doing great! They didn't seem phased at all about the light. I did leave them a lamp turned on nearby, and I had a shutter open to let some light in (it's not by the window, so no worries about direct sunlight getting them). As for that 5 gallon, though, I had accidentally left the light on in the tank and it was taken over by two kinds of algae. I think I got most of it cleaned up, but it sure was a headache to clean! :)

[Severus]

Glad to hear you helped that guy out. I was actually wondering the other day where you disappeared to. You gonna stick around for awhile??

[jifr]

Ditto Glasstapper!! :19:

I am new here but I come and read and learn something new every single day! I am new to the hobby and have learned quite a bit. I am always appreciative.

You guys rock!

[Glasstapper]

100gw - I'm going to visit my mom for the next 12 days, but after that, I will not be taking any more trips for a very long time. I'll be sticking around, no doubt! ;)

[Severus]

glad to hear it