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Next meeting of The Cleveland Aquarium Society:
Tuesday April 2, at 7:30 pm
We will be hosting Ken McGill to talk about Native Fish, building fishrooms and Free
Fishing Weekend in May.
The Society meets on the first Tuesday of each month except July in the Cleveland Zoo’s education building.
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We have making some changes with our current website. We have added a full feature user forum that is available to both registered users and our club members. Registration is free and only requires an email address. Come on in and check it out and tell us little about yourself. Click HERE:
For new aquarists, fellow club members can offer a wealth of advice born of years of experience. They can save you (and your fish) from many of the beginner’s mistakes that can wipe out an entire tank and leave you frustrated and discouraged. Club raffles and auctions can help you build up your collection of livestock, plants, food, and equipment at rock-bottom prices (and you’ll be helping the club at the same time.) Club members can suggest types of equipment (or at least what to avoid); tell you which shops have the best deals, the healthiest fish, or the widest selection; and walk you through various solutions to problems you may run into.
For experienced hobbyists, clubs can help you network so that you can finally get your hands on a hard-to-obtain species. More advanced members (or those who specialize in a particular family) can give you tips on breeding and other more complex aspects of the hobby. Horticulture and breeder award programs can provide challenges and keep you interested in the hobby. Finally, club members provide an attentive audience for your “fish stories.” Your friends might not understand what’s so amusing about the killifish that’s in love with your cory catfish, but other “fish people” will get a chuckle out of the tale.
There is much that you can learn from other club members, and much that you can offer, regardless of your experience level. Old hands love to help newbies… any reason to run our mouths about our favorite fish is a good one! Because the Cleveland Aquarium Society is an all-species club, it will give you the opportunity to learn about a variety of species and different aspects of the hobby that you might not have heard of otherwise. And, of course, it’s fun. You can hang out with a diverse group of people who have an interest in common and maybe make some new friends out of the deal.
The Cleveland Aquarium Society meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the Cleveland Zoo’s education building. Come by and check out a meeting. You never know what you’ll find!
Click here for directions: Google Maps
First, a warning: If you neglect your water changes for too long, the build-up of organic substances from fish waste and uneaten food will slowly reduce the pH. Most fish can adapt to this gradual change, but when you finally get around to cleaning your tank, the sudden rise in pH that will occur when you add fresh tap water may stress your fish… possibly to death. If it’s been a month or more since you’ve done a water change, only replace about 10% of the water to start. Wait a few days, and then change another 10%. After your third 10% change, wait a week and then you can get into the recommended 25-50% a week routine without danger. Frequent water changes help you avoid this problem by keeping your tank’s water chemistry similar to that of your tap water. They also make the task quicker and easier. Imagine not cleaning your house for a month, versus picking up after yourself each day. You will need: A bucket: Make sure it is designated “for aquarium use only” because even a tiny bit of soap residue can harm or kill your fish. A siphon: an aquarium siphon has a “vacuum” end (which is fairly wide) that connects to a length of narrow tubing. This design prevents gravel from getting sucked up along with the debris and water. They are inexpensive and a variety of sizes should be available anywhere that sells fish or aquarium supplies. There are also siphons that extend from the tank to a sink or faucet, allowing you to do water changes without carrying buckets. Though more expensive, they are certainly worth the cost for those with large tanks or physical disabilities. Dechlorinator: this is an additive that neutralizes the chlorine and chloramines, thus making your tap water safe for fish. Step 1: Preparation Unplug all filters and heaters. As the water drains from your tank, your filter will not be able to draw water through the intake tube and it will run dry, possibly damaging the equipment. Aquarium heaters should never be exposed to air while plugged in, as the heat will cause the glass housing to shatter, destroying the heater and causing an electrical hazard.
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