Tip Of the Month

These are suggestions from members of the Goldfish Message board. Every month I chose from the Tips that are E-mailed to me and the winner of the Month will receive a Koko's goldfish bumpersticker......

Keeping A "goldie Journal"

Goldfish Forum/ Messageboard > Tip Of The month > Keeping A "goldie Journal"

Posted by: Devs Aug 1 2004, 05:15 AM

Hi guys. I've been back into goldies for a couple months,and I've read alot of useful things to keep in my mind but unfortunately,my mind is like a colander!!! A couple weeks ago I started keeping a goldie journal.Alot of you may think-ahh too much work,but in the end,you'll appreciate it all-believe me I have allready! I started with: Tank purchase date/measurements/gal.(hey,don't laugh-I have enough of tanks where sometimes I do forget the size and have to measure! ) I have listed things like fish purchases-where-when -size-type,and I just bought film for my old 35mm to keep on hand for pics.Pics are really useful to check original look of fish,and how fish change over time,whether it be wens,size,colors,etc. I write down any medications used-what it's for,date I started-how long I used it,etc. that way I know what my fish had ,the meds I used,the results of that particular med,etc. I also have started a page just for meds,their uses,etc.for emergencies-that way I don't have to be on line an hour trying to figure it out. I keep a check-list of all emergency items that you should have on hand,and each time I go to the lfs,I try to purchase each of those one at a time until my check-list is complete. There's nothing like knowing you need Maracyn and MaracynII to start a treatment for your fish,and it's Sunday nite around 10 pm! Depending on emergency-your fish could die by the time you got to a lfs. I have one of those mini calendars with all 12 months on it taped to the inside of my journal,where I can note water change dates,etc. I have alot of tanks-do alot of water changes-don't always remember what tank or what day. I also have a page for favorite web-sites,helpful threads(so I don't have to keep trying to remember when they were posted or where, recipes-whether it be for salting tanks/or salt dipping,etc.-that way I know it's correct. I've seen a few threads with wrong amts. listed for treatments,and to a newbie-that could be deadly. I also try to keep track of water params-that way if fish do have a problem,I know what the tank's been reading. I could go on and on.....The thing is you can decide exactly what you want to notate.You can make the journalas simple or elaborate as need be. My main reason for starting it was to keep track of fish purchases/sizes etc.Then some of my fish I got on line came to me really sick,and I've been trying to keep track of all the different meds I've used for them. I also will remember now what meds worked better for me,and what didn't. I think that this is a great tip for beginner's as well as old-timer's,and I bet alot of people allready do this!!! Hope this helps someone!!

Posted by: daryl Aug 1 2004, 08:45 AM

A portion of my journals is dedicated to information and background of equipment, general information, and fish. The majority of my journal is just that - a day to day note of everything happening in the tanks. I make the charts of water parameters. I note how much water I changed in which tank, and when. I note any differences in fish, problems with hardware, media changes, observations about water, plants, temperature, weather outside affecting things, etc. When I return a fish to its person, I can give them a very specific rundown about EXACTLY what was done to help the fish and and how the fish responded to that particular treatment. Armed with this information, I never forget which tank needs the next change - which fish was treated with what, what the results were, and when the filters, pumps and lights were last serviced. A journal is invaluable!!!!

Posted by: Devs Aug 2 2004, 10:01 AM

Well thanks Daryl! I feel better using this for a tip of the month knowing you also do this! I know that your'e a great Fishkeeper!!!

Posted by: LaurieP Aug 2 2004, 12:42 PM

Sharon, You have an excellent idea, I've just been thinking about that. Great minds huh? I do believe this could be very useful. I right at the moment don't have one. I do however get pictures of the fish when I get them, that way I know if they change.

Posted by: Padda's pal Aug 3 2004, 03:02 AM

hey i do this too, addmittedly not as indepth as yourselves, i log all my prams that i test

Posted by: Devs Aug 3 2004, 04:05 AM

QUOTE (Padda's pal @ Aug 3 2004, 06:02 AM) hey i do this too, addmittedly not as indepth as yourselves, i log all my prams that i test I started that way too! Then I just slowly started adding things to it. I also have a couple of pleco's(common)(not in goldie tanks)and a algae eater who I know I've had at least 5 years-which got me writing down "puirchase dates of fish-just so I'd remember age for sure. one of my favorite sections is the emergency list I made up. I recently lost a betta that was really special to me,and I think it was because she got sick on a week-end after lfs were closed,and I couldn't start treatments til the next day.By then she pine-coned,and it was just too late.Now I've got this basic check list of emergency things for that moment-whether it be salt,a filter breaking,meds,etc. Maybe I have too much time on my hands but anyway,I feel more prepared....I have alot going on right now,so this definately helps with my mind,or lack of it!

Posted by: Padda's pal Aug 3 2004, 04:24 AM

am going to start putting when and where i get things aswell , p.s is a colander like a sieve ?

Posted by: Devs Aug 3 2004, 06:18 AM

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Devs Aug 3 2004, 06:20 AM

PS. Iwasn't sure how many people knew what a sieve was-Everyone knows what a colander is!

Posted by: Nykole Aug 3 2004, 07:27 PM

Devs, That is an excellant idea! I only write down test results as of now. I couldnt even tell you when I got most of my fish. I do have a "fish envelope" that has fish/fish stuff reciepts in it though. I did start a baby book type thing for my beardie so I can track his growth, diet, vet visits, ect. Thanks for the great tip, Nykole BTW Devs, what do you have as emergency items? I have few meds on hand because I very rarely have needed them(*knocks on wood*).

Posted by: Devs Aug 4 2004, 12:25 PM

Hi Nykole- My emergency list includes two extra filters hooked up on a couple of my tanks-extra pumps/tubing/heater/clean 5gal.fish buckets/air stones-Medi-Gold,Jungle Fungus Clear-Baking Soda. I keep Maracyn,II,Rid Ich+,quick Cure,Epsom Salt,Neosporin,Q-Tips,Kanacyn, I just ordered some clout because of what I just went thru with a fish. I have all my reg. things too-Salt,Melafix,etc. The meds,I'm trying to cover each area so if anything should happen I haver the right med to treat.They're usually good for a few years,and I'd rather have it on hand than be out in a desperate moment,and lose a fish.I'm probably forgetting a few things,and probably add a few more.Better over stocked than under!

Posted by: ed586 Aug 4 2004, 12:34 PM

I think a journal is a great idea buuut.... I don't keep one! After you get the bacteria built up and excessive space, you get more care-free, non-remembering, no medicine routine. Well, anyhow, I haven't had to use one. Its just I have 25-30 gallons per goldie, and they never get sick. But only if I do enough water changes. So what do you think? I am being so contraversial!!!! I should not say anything, now my fish are all going to get sick and die...lol And have had a tank only 6 months now... I must admit ... I'm still just a newbie....

Posted by: Devs Aug 4 2004, 04:28 PM

HEY ED!!!! No seriously, I think that's great that you don't have any problems. I just happened to get alot of sick goldies at one time,so meds were a whole new ballgame for me.Inever worried about sick fish cause I've always been lucky. I got these sick dying fish,and spazzed because I had no idea if I could help them correctly. I also have alot of fish tanks and my memory aint quite what it use to be! 25-30 gals.per fish? WOW!!! Are you lucky! WHat size is your tank,and how many fish are we talking?

Posted by: ed586 Aug 5 2004, 05:33 AM

Actually I have 75 gallons with 3 fish. I am building a pond which will be around 500 gallons filled and only 5 fish right now. Actually, I'm looking to spawn pretty soon, so that will change. I think you've been doing this a lot longer then me. I hope I don't live to regret this.... or rather I live, but regret it. I support the journal idea, just that I haven't kept one. If I ever have problems, I hope to just increase my space.... Hopefully, that will be realistic. But after spawning, I will definately be looking to auction off some fish. They are American Vieltails and if I do it right, people will want them. Journals, however, are GOOD things, definately.

Posted by: Devs Aug 5 2004, 06:12 AM

American Vietails....Have you posted pics? I remember you ordering them but don't remember seeing them. I would love to help you out when you spawn and get acouple!!!! Good Luck with that!!! Ps. Sounds like you'll need a journal to keep track of all the successful spawns you'll be having!!!!! Also might be good to"note" water params etc. when you do have those!!!

Posted by: ed586 Aug 5 2004, 06:22 AM

I definately will be journaling when I get my pond set up. It's the only way, at least for the first 3 months or so. But then again, I may want to keep track of all the characteristics that I get from a spawn. Could get interesting.... My pics never turn out very well. I'll try to get some "prety-good" ones up. Still haven't got the hang of it with the pics.

Posted by: CalicoFantail Aug 5 2004, 02:24 PM

That's an interesting thought of keeping a journal. I keep reciepts though if that's a good thing. Ed of course we need pics of the fish

Posted by: GoldfishGoddess Aug 7 2004, 03:03 PM

Actually I keep ttrying to start ones, but I never have any empty books that I like. I mean, if I don't LIKE them, then I'm Not Going to Write in them very often... Maybe one day I'll try..hmm..

Posted by: Obsidian Aug 7 2004, 08:03 PM

I do keep a journal too... its a real great idea. I haven't needed to use them with meds to much... but I use them to note any abnormality in a fish, or a fishies behavior. Plus there is the log of the cleaning. I have (had) three tanks with two filters on each tank, and it got to the point where I couldn't remember when I had cleaned out the canister filters.... so it helps a lot. Cheers!

Posted by: Ranchugirl Aug 7 2004, 09:05 PM

I don't keep much of a journal, simply because I have too many tanks and ponds to do that. What I do with the tanks, when I bought my testkits, there was a little sticker with it, that uses dry erase markers to write on, and you can note the most basic test results on them -ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. Thats all I write down (if I remember ) Most definetely I will start a journal when I get Al's veils hopefully Tuesday. They are still babies, and there is nothing more fun than taking their measurements and such, the date of the arrival, and then periodically update. The best way for me to get started is to go and find a pretty looking journal, then I will most likely use it more. There are some neat ones out at Walmart, I believe. They have chinese symbols in the front, on some even a fish. Now, if that is not inspiring, I don't know what is!

Posted by: Kingyo Aug 10 2004, 03:30 PM

A journal is a GREAT idea... I bought a software package for my PDA, it is called Aquapilot. With this software you can monitor several aquariums and record almost everything that Devs suggests in her tip. http://palmsource.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodid=2415

Posted by: daryl Aug 12 2004, 07:25 AM

That sound like a really neat program! My trouble is my PDA sits on the table and I have not turned it on for over a month or two- I can never remember to use the silly thing. I guess I am hopelessly old fashioned..... I bought a small three ring binder - (6X8? 8X10?), and made it a fancy cover. The first one was printed pictures of my fish - I printed them on sticky paper from my computer and covered the binder with them. The next one was a quilted fish cover, and my current one has an embroidered fish on the front. I make a new one each year. It makes it fun, very obvious what the book is - so it does not get filed in the wrong slot on the shelf, or "used" by an unhelpful hubby for various doodles and inventions.

Posted by: albert17 Aug 16 2004, 12:15 PM

http://goldfishtank.net/downloadables/fishcare-weekly.pdf, in case it can help anyone else. My big test day is on sunday, so it's set up that way. It also forces me to test my pH everyday like I should. I use the big areas to describe the fish and their behavior as well as maintenance that I perform. I use the AM/MID/PM spots to list what I feed to the fish.

Posted by: sushoomee Aug 17 2004, 08:19 AM

It is a wonderful idea. I actually do it too. I have so many tanks and fish that I have to keep records. When they were bought, births, medical records, tank and filter upgrades, name lists of who alls in what tank and when I move a fish, deaths, if I try a new food and they like it, quarantine records, if fish I buy are brother and sister, the petshop they came from, any odd behavior, you name it I keep track of it. Everyone should be encouraged especially keeping records of health issues and what treatments have been given. Carrie