wow... sorry to hear that... i just read through the explanation, it really sucks to lose fish, and i feel worse myself if i know i was at fault. i live in Chi too, but i didnt loose power during the blizzard, and my fish arent as expensive as yours were, im sure.
I saw this thread when you first posted it, but I didn't post anything because I didn't know what to say. I still don't. I would like to offer my condolences, though. I can't imagine what you felt when you saw that. It was hard enough to look at the pictures. I don't even want to know what it is like to see that in my own tank. Sorry, man. It was a beautiful collection.
Its absolutely heart sinking to see such devastation, your quite right it does literally take years to put a collection like that together putting the money aside its the effort and the 2am pickups that make you feel that what you have done is just a masterpiece in your own eyes. If it was the case of just spending the money to replace them it would just be unfortunate but these type of fish take such precision to find and put them together to find the right balance in size and personality and that sight of datnoids begging when they see you is unforgettable everymorning when i open my eyes i look to my left where i will always see my datnoid watching me sit up with him hovering half way up the tank.
Its great that we have a community like this where we all understand and can support each other makes me feel very proud to see.
Chin up mate one day you will fill that tank up again and start your seach for your fish to complete your masterpiece and one day you will get there.
Damn bro, I, too, waited to reply. Couldn't really say anything just knowing how big of a loss that was, I don't know you but I would definitely chip in to get some dats back in your tank.
Unbelievable. I can't imagine how devastated you must be. I know how guilty it makes you feel too. I did the same with a group of juvenile dats a couple of years ago. I've not made the same mistake since.
I'm sure you have many years left in the hobby. Years to rebuild your collection. Best of luck for the future.
Tim
