New Member

[jfish]

Hello Fish Lovers!
My name is Jennifer and I'm a recent new member to the club and to this site. Last year, my family and I moved to Knoxville from PA. We lived in PA for 8 years and couldn't hack the weather and took the opportunity to move when my husband was offered a job here. My husband and I are originally from CA. We have three kiddos, and I homeschool them. We rented when we first moved to TN, and we just moved into the house we bought a month ago.
My middle son got me into fish a few years ago. He’s loved fish ever since he visited Sea World, San Diego when he was four years old. He’s now 12. He is my fish tank cleaner/helper, and we “bond” as we clean our tanks together weekly. In PA, I kept mostly African cichlids, including a Tanganyikan community tank, a Multi shell dweller tank, and an all male Mbuna Peacocks/hap. I also had a planted tank with freshwater fish with loaches, a keyhole, and a krib (loved him!).
I had to get rid of all my tanks when we moved to TN, but I kept my 55 gallon tank stand (a nice, custom wood piece). SO- I'm hoping I can get a tank and start up again soon! I'm not sure what kind of fish I want to keep in the tank - I do want it to be a “show” tank with no active breeding. I’m going in the direction of a male peacock/hap tank like I had before, or a freshwater planted tank (the lights cost so much though!!!). Hmmm….Any opinions?
I was hoping I’d be able to come to the fish swap and meet all of you in person, but my family and I will be in Atlanta celebrating my daughter’s 10th b’day. She wanted an American Girl Doll- so we’re going to the store there. So, I’m disappointed, but maybe next time?
Just wanted to introduce myself! Thanks!

[Jess Puff]

Welcome Jennifer!!! How did you hear about us? We are so glad you joined our forum AND club! I also keep africans, mostly Mbuna, Haps, and Peacocks. I'm wanting to start up a Tang tank though. I would think a great "show" tank would be one with Haps and Peacocks.

That stinks you're going to miss our swap but hopefully you'll be able to come to the next one. It's so great that you're hear and if you ever have any questions or anything, please feel free to ask!
-Jess

[davidtcb1]

Welcome Jennifer!

[ree123]

Hi Jennifer !
I am glad you have introduced yourself !
I had been wondering what happened to you. I reckon your move had taken all your energy and time for a while. Glad you are getting things under way @ the new place.

I am sadened to hear you will not be able to join us in October. I do wish there was a way you could celebrate your daughters B-day and include the swap/meet too.
(To be sure you are aware, the swap/meet is on a Sunday.)
But, we all understand family has to come before our hobbys.

I do wish we could help you get this new tank of yours under way so you could begin to enjoy it all winter. You could wait until our Spring swap/meet, which should be around April to May of 2012. But.......... If there is any way we can help you, now or before then, you let us know.
You have hobbyist friends here.
All you have to do is post your questions, wants, and/or needs, for other members to assist you.

There are various members here with tanks, and there are various members here with Africans, in the event you wanted to try them again.

We hope you continue to visit the forum, and can find the time between school @ home to chat from time to time with us.

Tell your 12 yr. old we look forward to meeting him, and want to teach him all he ever wants to know, from we old experienced hobbyists. :-)

Rick

[glenoweth]

Welcome to the site Jennifer, hope you get ur tank up and running soon.

[mruble]

Welcome Jennifer, very glad to have you here!

[rick]

welcome jennifer!

[jfish]

Thanks for the warm welcome! Talked to the hubby and since we just spent all our money on our new house/renovations, looks like the new fish tank and fish will have to be a Christmas present- which might be best anyway since this will give me a chance to think about what I really want.
I would love to have a 75 gallon- but I don't think this size will fit on my stand (which was holding a 55 before). My stand is 15 3/4 inches in depth. Looks like 75 gallons are 18 in debth. Would it work for the tank to slightly hang over the edges you think? Or maybe we could add a support piece of wood in the back? The stand is plenty long.
Anyway, dreaming!
Also, any opinions on acryllic vs glass?

[bnoel210]

If the stand was made for a 55 i wouldnt put anything bigger on there. I wouldnt want any of the tank hanging over to me the tank wouldnt be supported right with all that weight. Has for as acrylic or glass i have had both. I do like the looks of the acrylic alot more, but they are scratch so easy and the scratches are so hard to remove especially on the inside.

[davidtcb1]

I wouldn't let the tank hang over either. That removes support where the tank needs it most.

[ree123]

I agree. No hanging over. If one wanted to do that, and use the smaller stand, one would have to add a 2x4 or wider board and bolt it into place in several places to widen the stand. I would probably be almost as easy to take apart and rebuild with larger wood to accommodate a larger tank.
It can be done, but is a little time consuming.
Does Eric have carpenter skills ?

So sorry you won't make it to the Fall 2011 swap/meet, but we understand.
We will just look forward to chatting here with you as much as you can stand to chat, and wish with you that the right sized tank deal will be found by you soon. :-)
And...............We will all look forward to meeting you @ our Spring 2012 swap/meet, date TBA.