Newbie from New Jersey

[dcbbow]

Hi everyone. I am definitely a newbie. We (my family) thought it would be great to have an aquarium and all you had to do was go to PetSmart, buy it, fill it, and add fish. What a shock. Thank God for this web site. I didn't do cycling, so we did it with fish (a Red Parrot). I didn't know it was a man-made hybrid. A shark and a blue lobster. They made it through our stupidity, high ammonia, high nitrite, high nitrate. But now our tanks cyclling great at all zeroes. But then they got these ugly white spots. Our Ruby (red parrot) starting sleeping on the bottom of the pool. Walmart lady told us to use Ich away. Only got worse. Read the great posts on Ich treatment, we now have added salt and raised the temp to 85F. Ruby is swimming again and eating. So we will see. All of this in 2 months. Our 50 gallon tank now has, Ruby, Sharky, blue lobster, Royal Navy sucker, and two tetras, also fresh plants.

[Dangerdoll]

Ha!! Welcome to the boards!!!! Where abouts in Jersey are you located? I'm in the Union County area.... check out the LFS thread explaining the local fish shops worth checking out! :clap:

[YoFishboy]

Welcome..and it's ok....the lessons learned the hard way are the lessons we remember the most....I hope you and your family enjoy your new hobby!

[dcbbow]

We are in Sussex county. I have been buying the fish at "Everything Fish" on 46. Great store and good advice. We are having a great time with the fish, and so far (fingers crossed) the fish have been living through our blunders and still smiling.

[liv2padl]

i used to live in NJ .... out in Hunterdon County near the Delaware River. welcome. pull up a chair and enjoy.

[jyanagi]

I'm also in Sussex county. Welcome!

Where is "Everything Fish"?

[Dangerdoll]

hmmm... am I the only one on the history of AC that lives in Union County, NJ??

[jyanagi]

hmmm... am I the only one on the history of AC that lives in Union County, NJ??

LOL Dangerdoll. Most of us can't AFFORD to live there! But, I drive through a fair amount... does that count? :)

[Rbishop]

Welcome to AC! Hope you enjoy our world! :clap:

[Dangerdoll]

LOL Dangerdoll. Most of us can't AFFORD to live there! But, I drive through a fair amount... does that count? :)
WOW!! LOL afford here? So you're telling me it's cheaper in beautiful Sussex county? I woould so much rather be there (the country) than here (city like) if not just for the taxes. Paying $10,000 in taxes ain't no joke....

anyhoot, yes, driving through give you a bonus ;)

[jyanagi]

Ah, taxes are no bargain here either. There are few businesses to add to the tax base. I pay just shy of $10,000 on a fairly average home. It didn't used to be that way... when we moved here in '95, my taxes were $3,300. Went up nearly $7,000 in 12 years.

What moving here does for you is allow you to buy more house for the money.

I love being out here, but, of course, a lot of people have done that and it now can take me nearly 3 hours to get 40 mi. into New York City at rush hour. Off rush about an hour. Fortunately, I do that trip rarely, but lots do it daily.

[Dangerdoll]

yeap, that commute is the only thing that stops me from buying out there. My dad did it for 10 years before he retired, I considered going out there but couldn't fathom the commute. My commute now, 1.5 minutes... I could walk if I wasn't always late, LOL

[jyanagi]

1.5 minutes? Nice! I am very jealous!

[Mgamer20o0]

welcome to ac.