Making mistakes

[Angelphish]

"We don't make mistakes, we have happy accidents" -Bob Ross, the man, the myth, the legend

I like to look at the good that could come from any mistakes I make. Back when I had small fish like guppies and barbs in my 210, I bought a fish that caused an ich outbreak. It killed all the small fish, my favorite Angel (one in the avatar), and a few others. By clearing out all of the small fish, I'm now able to get larger fish that would have eaten/killed any barbs. Along with that the lfs owner was very generous and gave me in store credit for every fish that died since the ich was caused by a fish from his store. I've never had a bad experience from his store again, and I used some of the in store credit to buy two Angels that I love.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I
I loved Bob Ross and his show.

I'm a Bob fan for sure, I still occasionally catch an episode.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I'm a Bob fan for sure, I still occasionally catch an episode.

Me too I recorded two series worth and pop one on every now and then.So relaxing to watch.

 

[ehh]

When I started keeping fish, some 30 odd years ago,I made lots of mistakes. I feel that back then we had an excuse. Information was limited to books and what we learned off the guy in the fish store. Looking back at those old books the information was often inaccurate and we know how good local fish store advice can be.
Today with the luxury of the Internet I feel there are little excuses for mistakes.If you want to know something you can normally get answers.
I feel most mistakes made today are caused by lack of self control by the keeper who just has to buy that fish without doing the proper research, or knowing that fish gets too big for his tank.

Probably the best post in mfk history.


Carp, I've seen you turn down good advice on the forum. Just saying...

 

[CarpCharacin]

Carp, I've seen you turn down good advice on the forum. Just saying...

I know I have done it several times. I turned down good advice on a koi forum when I was building my koi pond and now I have to redo stuff. Actually the stuff I have to redo is not what I didn't do that members advised me to.

 

[dogofwar]

Heck, I've been keeping fish since the '80s and I still make plenty of mistakes trying to keep new fish or just being stupid or lazy. Sometimes doing the right thing isn't the fun or instantly gratifying thing: quarantining, doing regular water changes and filter cleanings, not putting questionable fish together, not overcrowding, etc.

Beyond the basics, a lot of fishkeeping is judgement. And you only gain judgement from experience...and experience includes making mistakes..and time.

Too many folks treat fishkeping as some kind of contest. It's a hobby and should be fun and gratifying - for you. That doesn't mean that you have to have the biggest or rarest whatever...that may be beyond your experience or skill (or most anyone's for that matter). Do the basics well and success will follow.

As there are lots of people on lots of fish forums today, there were lots of LFS and lots of people who worked in them back in the day. Experiencing good and bad advice from particular LFS and folks who worked there led me to trust some and not trust others. Forums are no different, although the nature of the Internet makes keyboard experts more prevalent than the guy who talked a good game at an LFS but had terrible stock.

The very best thing that people can do to become better fishkeepers is to join a fish club and attend meetings. I was lucky enough when I was a kid to find one...and have been going to different clubs since. There is more experience in a CCA meeting on just about any topic than you could find anywhere else...and the people with the knowledge and wisdom to know what they don't know and find the folks with real expertise. My advice: find your local fish club and start attending meetings.

Matt

 

[PYRU]

There's so much information available at my fingertips that mistakes are pretty much limited to me going against my better judgement. I also don't try new ideas on massive projects. I try it on a smaller scale before doing it on my main project. This hobby has been around so long there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Try new products/techniques to see if it makes you more efficient, but ultimately the process is the same.

Society as a whole has gotten into this arrogant entitled mindset. It's hard to learn when you think your some special prodigy that knows everything.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is learning from them then trying to help others not make the same ones.

 

[duanes]

I started keeping cichlids in the 1950s, and have made thousands of mistakes.
I have killed many, many fish, as will everyone who keeps them.
My replies to threads are things I have learned "because" of those mistakes.
But I also know fish keepers who can do things that would kill a beginners fish, because they have experience. These keepers can cram small tanks, or a small pond, and/or put fish together that normally won't work.
Although they can, most people without experience, probably can't.
I agree with dogofwar, talking with experienced keepers in fish clubs and becoming educated will go a very long way. Although this is a hobby, its not like collecting stamps, if there is a screwup, stamps don't die.
The advice experienced keepers give, may not be what you want to hear.
Just because you want something, is not always a great reason to get it.
Proper stocking is one of the "the" most important factors to success.
Less is more, and learning what will live together, and what will create a bloodbath before it happens goes a long way to saving grief and hard earned cash.
I am always amazed by posts that say, "I want an aggressive community" and then the same poster is not surprised by result and posts a followup "why are all but one of my fish dead"?
Or "I want a dovii, or umbi but I only have a 55 right now. Of course I will upgrade soon".
Sorry if I sound cynical.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

The advice experienced keepers give, may not be what you want to hear.
Just because you want something, is not always a great reason to get it.
Proper stocking is one of the "the" most important factors to success.
Less is more, and learning what will live together, and what will create a bloodbath before it happens goes a long way to saving grief and hard earned cash.
I am always amazed by posts that say, "I want an aggressive community" and then the same poster is not surprised by result and posts a followup "why are all but one of my fish dead"?
Or "I want a dovii, or umbi but I only have a 55 right now. Of course I will upgrade soon".
Sorry if I sound cynical.

So true.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Well, mistake happen all the time! In fact, I just made a mistake (or under estimate) my Tess. Moray power. I introduced a big Majestic Angelfish to my moray tank, I thought it too big for my Moray to eat and before I release the angel into my tank I fed my moray 4 medium size Octopus (6 inches size) to avoid its looking the new tank mate as food. This monster Moray gulfed down the expensive meal less than 30 seconds!
*Note:
Usually moray won't able to catch fast swimming healthy fish but my moray do it with flashy speed attack and got the angel. O.O I'm speechless!