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Post by murdock6701 on Aug 1, 2009 13:45:12 GMT -5
hi and, no, I haven't abandoned you all.....just preoccupied w/ some rather unpleasant stuff - moved 182 platys to my hot tub this morning, along w/ a very nice large pleco - everyone fine so far - we were given the tub for free which is why I built that deck last year - anyway, we decided to fire up the tub 2 weeks ago and found that something is wrong w/ it that would cost several hundred dollars to fix, so now it's a pond! with the light blue acrylic bottom it's much easier to see the fish as opposed to the black tank I had last year - don't know when I'll see you all again, just wanted to post and say howdy and I miss you all!
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Post by babygeige on Aug 1, 2009 15:32:28 GMT -5
That's a cool idea! I look forward to seeing pictures of that! btw, did you really count all 182 of the platys?  |
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Post by murdock6701 on Aug 1, 2009 16:49:58 GMT -5
yes Steph, I did count them - I'm an engineer remember! LOL!
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Post by Carl on Aug 1, 2009 19:41:20 GMT -5
Look forward to pics John As well glad you could count all the platys, when we did inventory with my pet store, we counted the fish into a scale, then weighed a sample, then weighed the rest (but we had thousands of fish too). Take care John Carl |
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supi
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Post by supi on Aug 1, 2009 21:37:30 GMT -5
That's a fabulous idea. It should be fun setting up.
Carl, I like your method of counting fish.
Supi
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Post by murdock6701 on Aug 1, 2009 21:59:22 GMT -5
mine were all 30 days apart - netted every one....all age groups - all colors - found a 200 watt heater in my box of goodies - so far so good - maintaing over 70 degrees - like I said, it's a long shot - couldn't euthanize them when the buyers backed out - no free takers except for 15 or 20 - there goes my pure strain w/ them all together! - they sure seem happy w/ all the room - down to 54 tonight - except for 3 days in the 90s, it's been a very tolerable summer - 70s in the day, 50's at night - am just prologing the inevitable though....that's the sad part, but the market may pick up or they'll end up as barn cat food which will break my heart - brings joy to my soul to have the pond set up again and actually use the hot tub - if it was warmer I'd go for a swim w/ them!
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Post by goldenpuon on Aug 2, 2009 11:15:15 GMT -5
I'm glad you're still here Murdock. I'm glad the platies are doing well. Too bad you can't get a home for them... Maybe you could try selling them on Craigslist?
I think it would be a great idea to go swimming with them. That's something I have always dreamed of doing with my fish!
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supi
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Post by supi on Aug 2, 2009 11:29:20 GMT -5
A buyer or a free taker might show up but in the mean time you can have lots of fun with the hot tub pond.
The 200 watt heater should help out with the pond.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Aug 2, 2009 19:51:52 GMT -5
turn the jets on....that`ll make collection of them later very easy.....they`ll all be shot to the middle....lol. great idea to use the tub tho. is the other pond up and running?
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Post by murdock6701 on Aug 2, 2009 20:57:34 GMT -5
turn the jets on....that`ll make collection of them later very easy.....they`ll all be shot to the middle....lol. great idea to use the tub tho. is the other pond up and running? nothing happened when I plugged the hot tub in! no motor hum from either of the pumps - no heater light came on when I activated it - there is definitely a problem that I can't afford to fix so, in the meantime, it's my new pond! a long lost friend came by and took 15! found out I need a bigger net - the tub is 5' x 5' and over 2' deep - netting 15 fish was not an easy task - water temp has stabilized around 72 at night - little warmer in the day when the sun shines - am going to a small lake to try and dig up some American lotuses (similar to water lilies but bigger leaves and flowers) will keep you posted - by the way, conditions must be good, netted newborn fry in one of my attempts - there are 2 levels in the tub so I used the higher ones for decor and hidey spots - need to clean uo some of the scum off the bottom from the tank sitting full for 2 weeks - water clarity isn't the best but better than the old pond - fish dont come to the surface to feed like last year, guess it takes the a while to acclimate to their new surroundings - last year feeding time was like watching rice boil! I am thrilled things have worked out - am getting great enjoyment out of it! I need that right now - I'll take whatever I can get to be happy at this point, no matter how small it may seem - one day at a time - don't get a lot of computer time - trying to stay busy outside and let the domestic problems work themselves out - managed to stall off the foreclosure on the house - miracles do happen - never quit trying and hoping and praying and work hard and keep busy - distraction and a positive attitude is the key, not always works that was but ya have to kep trying - I am not a quitter! |
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Post by Carl on Aug 2, 2009 22:59:56 GMT -5
I remember your pond last year, this looks to be a great idea/diversion as well, so I hope this continues to work out (maybe you can get pictures soon too).
I love your attitude (even through all the extreme difficulties), as you are looking up, which is the only way.
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Aug 3, 2009 15:16:26 GMT -5
That's a great attitide Murdock. Be happy for what you have such as those platies. All fo them in there must be a sight to behold. Best of luck on the other issues you are dealing with. Hopefully they will be resolved soon.
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Post by fishfever on Aug 3, 2009 16:55:10 GMT -5
Murdock, it may actually be a slightly positive sign if the tub seems totally dead. It could be something as simple as a blown fuse or broken level switch. Of course if it is a blown fuse and it keeps blowing then it could be something expensive. But it does sound like a main power issue which *might* not be costly if you are lucky.
I cannot vouch for this site since I've never used them, but have you considered aquabid.com for your platys? I recall seeing a livebearer section in their auctions. There's got to be someone (or someones since you have so many!) in your general area that would take the fish off your hands and be willing to drive there to get them. This would be much better than feeding them to the cats!
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Post by murdock6701 on Aug 4, 2009 14:19:57 GMT -5
Murdock, it may actually be a slightly positive sign if the tub seems totally dead. It could be something as simple as a blown fuse or broken level switch. Of course if it is a blown fuse and it keeps blowing then it could be something expensive. But it does sound like a main power issue which *might* not be costly if you are lucky. I cannot vouch for this site since I've never used them, but have you considered aquabid.com for your platys? I recall seeing a livebearer section in their auctions. There's got to be someone (or someones since you have so many!) in your general area that would take the fish off your hands and be willing to drive there to get them. This would be much better than feeding them to the cats! have tried everything - Michigan economy is so bad, people are giving away complete tanks and setups, they're torching their cars for insurance money! I can't even afford fish bags - sorry to be a whiner, just wanted to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing - to euthanize them w/ clove oil and vodka is more money than I have...... |
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Post by fishfever on Aug 5, 2009 16:56:28 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about that Murdock, things are bad pretty much everywhere but Michigan seems to be #1 in all the big problem areas like unemployment and foreclosures. Hopefully things will turn around for you sooner than later...
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supi
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Post by supi on Aug 6, 2009 16:41:06 GMT -5
It is great to hear you are having fun with your tub. Enjoy your time at the lake finding the plants to put in your tub. Any day at a lake is a good day.
So much for your 182 fish number with new fry being scoop up. lol.
Michigan seems to be hit the hardest. Last summer this part of Texas had a big influx of people moving from Michigan to here.
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