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As usual I check several concerns about the tank every morning either before, during and after feeding.

After feeding and replacing the glass top I always sit at the end of the tank just to observe what is happeng, this is also the spot where I take most of the photos. While sitting here I always place my hand on the canister filter to make sure it is running correctly.

This morning I noticed the little white ball "see photo" has gone down about 10mm this tells me that the filters inside are requiring attention or the hoses also require cleaning. It is a type of measuring gauge for the water
flow.

I have said this several times it pays to just do a simple check ever day, look, smell, feel the water temp, and listen. By doing this every day there is far less chance of many disasters.

The filter was not due to be cleaned for three more weeks. Two weeks ago I stirred up the bottom while doing a bit of general maintainance.

Tomorrow big clean up and check up.

Keith

keithgh attached this image:


Last edited by keithgh at 06-Jan-2005 17:55[/font]

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Yep Keith I totally agree. One of the most valuable tools we have as fish keepers is simply our familiarity with our tank and our fish.

Just sitting and quietly observing the tank and its inhabitants might look like you're not "doing anything" but I believe it is vital. And strange as it may seem, this is one of the reasons I like to give each of my fish a name. It helps me to get to know them as individuals. For example, it's perfectly normal for Marmalade the gold barb to break the surface of the water with a splash when she's feeding, but if her sister Marigold did it, it would be unusual.

Several people have reported waking up because their tank "sounded strange" with air getting into the system or the bio-wheel stopped or whatever.

Yep, we have (at least ) 5 senses and we should use them all when observing our tank... but maybe someone could remind me how taste would come in useful here?

Yeah, I must agree that you should pay attention to the tanks each day. I don't take the time to name my fish really, but I do know what each one looks like and their tendencies at least for all of my non-schooling fish (rasboras, cories, otos) as the majority of them look the exact same (size and overall looks). I can also tell flow by how the plants move. I also touch the water each day to see how it feels. I know this is strange, but I've noticed that sometimes the water feels a little more thick or slimely. Even w/ 40-50% water changes each week. Always pays to be alert of what's going on.

Whetu -

In my hometown in east Texas, the tap water comes from two different sources - two different lakes several miles away. You can taste the difference, and it makes a difference when prepping the water for the tank (though I've been away so long, I probably couldn't tell you which is which anymore). See? "All" five senses!

...I'm observant... you forgot the "be" in your topic subject!

Other than that, yeah, I agree with you all. It took a while to get used to the noise of the biowheel (my tanks are in my bedroom), but I can tell when something's not right, just by listening. I've woken up to the filters stopping during a power out and to my fish making a random splash in the middle of the night (I have one betta who can apparently see in the dark and will jump to snatch food stuck to the lid of his tank). And just try to sleep late on the weekends... the tank lights going on by timer wakes me up!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Yep, we have (at least ) 5 senses and we should use them all when observing our tank... but maybe someone could remind me how taste would come in useful here?

LOL the dude @ my LFS has a use for taste......he tastes the fish food to make sure the fish are getting the best

......he tried to get me to taste oxy weed once......

Kitten
Just for you I added the "be" I think I will have to be more observent with my postings. Thank you.

Fish_Tank
Where I live in a costal tourist area the tap water does change especially during the summer-easter holiday period. What ever they add it stinks like (household bleach) and tastes terrible. Most people here have a filter system fo the drinking and cooking.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

My best guess as to why the water changes tastes is due to how they are purifying it. Due to the fact that they are probably anticipating a higher usage during the holidays and summer they are probably adding additional chloring to the purification but have not added additional charcoal to the end step...As much as charcoal is a vital part of our filtration in the fish tank, they use it also at the water purification flants, along with other "assorted" chemicals, that you really don't want to know about

Now Whetu, don't tell me you don't take an occasional sip of soushi soup? I think I taste mine at least once a week.

I must agree though we have to use all of our senses when caring for our fishie friends. I have the habit of wiggling my fingers in the fish tank right before feeding the fishies (Acei's are out for blood ). Always smell it...After feeding I sit there and stare at them, sometimes for hours ...Of course listening can tell you tons...I'm one of those that gets woken up when the pumps are off, or the water is weird.

But, then again that is just me...

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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

When I feed my fish in the morning I usally like to take a few minutes at each tank.Take roll make sure everyone is present and accounted for then as their eating I usually check the tanks over make sure everything looks ok and lastly I always make sure the filters are properly working when I turn then back on.

BBNP
No it is not just you, it is posibly many otheres just dont listen or are defened by the loud music/noise around them.

When I was younger we lved opposite an ice works (it made ice for ice chests) those things before fridges, and I always woke up when the machines stopped.

Having worked with machinery for most of my life you certainly are aware of all the correct noises around you as when wood working machinery goes wrong it could cost you your life or the life of others and that is no joke.

Your ears get trained to listen.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Keith you're showing your age!

I forgot to mention one of my useful little tricks. Among the variety of foods I have for my fishies, I use JBL Novo-Tabs. These are like little "buttons" that you feed by sticking them on the glass. The reason they're especially useful is that it means the fish swim with their tummies against the glass while they're eating, and I can easily check out their undersides and fins.

I believe there are other kinds of food that can be stuck on the glass like that, too.

i had 2 small guppys finishing up a cycle in a 10 gallon, well the night before i had noticed 1 had gone missing (he was still very small) and i looked and looked untill i run and get the flash light to check better, i get back and he comes out from a plant, the next day the same thing happnes, only this time he doest come out, well i pull up a chair, get the flashlight, i turned off the filter, took out the media, shined in the light and there he was swimming around happilaly in the filter box well i netted him out, and put him in a diffrent 10 with a smaller intake, and less suck