Fish Journal

[jredner]

I stole the idea from a friend who kept a fishing journal documenting what he caught on each trip, where he was, who he was with, bait used....

My journal just consists of any changes that occur in my tank. Things like changing the decorations, temperature and feeding schedule as well as the fish's behavior is recorded. Also, I am recording when I do water changes and how large they are. This way I can see what works and doesn't work.

 

[jredner]

I guess this should probably be in DIY and Ideas... oops.

 

[Mystix212]

This way I can see what works and doesn't work.

This is a good idea if you are trying to perfect something or breed a certain species etc but in general its just pointless.

 

[jredner]

Since I'm just getting started, I kinda like to see how my actions affect the fish. I would agree that it's pointless if you have been in the hobby for a while.

 

[nwmountaintroll]

It's not pointless at all. It's a very good thing to do, especially if you are starting out. I recorded all of my water perameters, fish behavior, and changes during the first couple months of each tank I set up. My records were very helpful in setting up a water change schedule or figuring out when I could safely add more fish. Plus when something went wrong I could see exactly where.

 

[mbhw]

jredner - here's your "lesson learned" - don't leave that journal under the tank unless you keep it in plastic. My last journal became pulp after a fluval 303 hose leaked.

 

[Merbeast]

This is a good idea if you are trying to perfect something or breed a certain species etc but in general its just pointless.

I disagree. Unless you have perfect memory, you will never remember all the minutia you do to/for/with your tanks. Scientists do it, and they do it for a reason. Accountants also do it. Keep a good record and you will keep a good tank.

 

[jredner]

Thanks for the advice on not keeping the journal by the tank. Right now it's just sitting there waiting to get soaked.

With school and everything else going on I have a hard time remembering things like when I did water changes last and this is a good way to keep me on task and keep my tank looking good.