Subj : Re: Mama Mbuna's Final Release Of Fry
To   : mark lewis
From : Jeff Snyder
Date : Fri Oct 30 2009 02:31 pm

ml> i've been reading this echo for over 10 years... well, when there's any
ml> traffic in it... in fact, i posted plans for building a wooden aquarium not
ml> too long back... my aquariums are all running fine and clean with some
ml> "standard" fishing minnows from the store... about $1US/dozen :)


Hello again Mark. Yes, I believe I recall reading your piece on building a
plywood-based aquarium. Since I was a kid, I've always stuck with the normal
glass aquariums. I've never felt comfortable with switching to the newer
plexiglass tanks, as they scratch easier than glass tanks -- although I must
say that after a number of years, my glass tanks are also filled with
scratches where the algae just loves to grow.

ml> it was a thought and one that possibly won't apply to those others you had
ml> (have?)...


Actually, the correct word there is "had", and it is a sad tale indeed. I've
mentioned this before, but I live in the tropics. Unlike folks further
north, we only have two seasons here -- hot and dry, and wet and dry.
Sometimes we experience some droughts and nasty heatwaves here. Such was the
case several years ago when I was breeding Copadichromis borleyi -- the Red
Kadango variety -- which are also Malawi cichlids, just like my current
mbunas.

At any rate, we had one such extended heatwave, and even with all of the
aquarium lights off during the day, the house still got very hot outside of
our air-conditioned bedrooms, which were also rather hot. Well, after
starting out with around three or four Copadichromis borleyi, by the time
that heatwave came around, I was up to 80+ fish in that tank. One-by-one,
they dropped dead from the warm water. There just wasn't enough oxygen in
the water to keep them alive.

So, my tanks sat empty for several years -- until earlier this year, in fact
-- when I finally mustered up the strength to move them all into my bedroom
where it is cooler. It was no easy task for someone my age, and working
alone no less.

So, now I have my tank full of mbunas sitting just a few feet away from my
computer desk. I easily roll over my office chair to watch them and to feed
them.

ml> i enjoy the reading but i don't have the story telling abilities of
ml> yourself and others...


For me, telling tales comes easy. After all, I've been a Christian
evangelist for decades, so I have a knack for talking and writing.  :)


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23
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