My stuff arrived

I want a bigger tank, so I scrimped, begged, and saved.

$90 later and I get my shipment from Big Al's. I got a 30" T-5 light with 2 bulbs; it will provide about 1.3 wpg for the 29 gallon tank, an Aquaclear HOB filter, ammonia test refills (I used everything in my kit the first time I cycled the 10 gallon) and some gel-type fish food.

Next I need enough $ to get the potting soil, gravel, and plants to start things off right; about $60 should do it. Seems like a lot for a 29 gallon tank that I got used for $20, but I want it to be a real aquatic habitat...

In the meantime I've got to do a water change in that tank that I do have. The fish seem pretty happy if the gravel is orangy.

Tank looking good, but...

I really want to be able to keep plants in my tank. The Aponotagon bulbs I got from Walmart have been doing great, but I recently purchased my first "real" plant from the LFS, a crypt, which after about 2 weeks is looking a little sickly. And I have a recurring problem with the brownish green diatom growth that seems to take over my tank on a weekly basis. I still have a lot to learn, apparently.

Current tank residents are down to:

1 female guppy
2 neons
3 long-finned danios

One fine day

I was on Balsam street getting my hair cut. Kris was watching Liam for me and I just couldn't resist walking the 100 feet or so down to the pet store. I walked in and looked at all the fish, trying to remember the names and prices. I had a tank, but I needed to get the stuff that goes with it. What comes in a "complete aquarium kit" anyway?

I asked the ladies at the counter if they had an aquarium kit that was seperate from the glass aquarium. It took a moment for them to understand me, then one said "hey, actually I think we do!". She then pulled out the wrapped plastic bundle that comes with an aquarium and told me that a reptile owner wanted the tank and hood only, so they sold to him for $15.00 off the total price of the aquarium. I could have what was left for $15.00...

I could barely afford it, and I didn't know what was in it, but I didn't care. I bought it that afternoon. My aquarium was officially started.

In the beginning

This 10 gallon tank had been sitting empty on our porch for over a year when I finally get the idea that I could have an aquarium again. Matt had brought it home from Walmart for a baby scorpion he had found out on the ranges but scorpy never made it; we were very lax at feeding the poor creature. I got the idea around my birthday a couple of months ago when my Dad sent me $300 as a present. It was a very sweet surprise. I immediately thought of using some of the money to have the aquarium I had had over 25 years ago and had never forgotten, but the money seemed to trickle out here and there for other things and not a cent went towards the still dusty aquarium dream. I didn't forget about it though.

Well, it's a start

This is the place I will post my aquarium journal. For it will be a journey to remember, I am sure...