tank cleaning

Oops! I had meant to post these a while ago when I cleaned the tank out and put the new plants in, but I must have gotten distracted by my final exams.* Behold! The stages of cleaning a tank.

First, you take everything out of the tank and put it in a bowl to be scrubbed and rinsed. With the algae-crusted plants from the water, this usually looks like the beginning stages of a really gruesome cole slaw. But I didn't take a photo of that. I did get a photo of the tank without all its decorations, and the fishies are not happy:


See how they crowd? Silly little fishes. The filter will not save you from mommy's stealth net! HA!

Once they are all swept up into a container (here, a water bottle with the top cut off), then comes the scrubbing.


Lookit them, swarming in the bottom of the bottle, all dramatic-like.


Then, you pop open the containers with the brand new plants they're going to have! And rinse those off and put them in the tank with newly-scrubbed treasury and archway. A little fresh water, and just add fishies!

Next time, I will get some photos of the cleaning process so you can see the ridiculous mess I always end up making (it usually takes me two bath towels to mop up, even though I try -- TRY MIGHTILY -- to keep things from spilling). Alas. Next time, folks!

Stephanie

* Which just confirms what I've suspected for some time: I should totally stop with all the studying and be a fish blogger full time. The life plan is go, people.

new plants photos

Well, I did promise photos of the new plants in the tank, and let it not be said I do not live up to my promises! Or this one, anyhow. The new plants are nice and green, making the whole tank serene and lovely for ze fishes.


It's been a week since I've seen the babies, but I set them up with fresh water and a food dispenser, so here's hopin' all is well. More updates when I get home to Philly!

Stephanie

do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but old drapes?

Mmmmhmmmm. And having a marvelous time!

Alas, poor Captain Von Trapp, it has been a marvelous time. But now, our time has come to an end. Yes, folks, my dear Captain Von Trapp, galaxy-class fishy and all around badass, has passed away. I do not have much time for a memorial, so I leave you with. . . the many moods of Captain Von Trapp:



Adventurous, indeed. On to the next great adventure, Captain -- a world where chairs never have pine cones. Adeiu! Adeiu!

Stephanie

PS -- Those are new plants in the tank. I hope to have photos up next week after finals. They will be out of date now that CVP has died, but c'est la vie.