Yesterday morning my husband walked in while I was laboriously cleaning our 2-gallon wheel-shaped fish bowl. I was on one side of the bowl trying to capture the fish with my one cup metal measuring cup. I caught each one, put my hand over the top of the cup, walked around to the other side of the divider, poured the fish and water into a larger bowl and then covered the top of that bowl.
My husband said, “You need a fish net.” He asked why I didn’t move the fish bowl into the kitchen sink. I told him that with the water in it, it was too heavy for me to do that. I needed to get the fish out, use a tall plastic glass to remove about half of the water, then move the bowl into the sink to clean.
He said, that’s a lot of work when you have to do it every few days to keep the water clear. I simply said, “I love fish.” He said, we haven’t had an aquarium in a long time. Why don’t we go get a small one and that’ll save you a lot of work.” Not a stupid lady, I said, “Hooray! I’d love it!”
My husband said later, “I’m antsy. Why don’t we go to town and get the aquarium.” And so I enjoyed Christmas in July. :0)
We got a 5 gallon aquarium, air pump, air filter, gravel, some decorations and greenery, and extra filter pads. By the time we got home, it was 8:00 in the evening and we just piled the boxes in the dining area, fed animals, fed ourselves, and watched a movie.
We just finished putting the aquarium together. It took us awhile to arrange an electrical strip for all the plug-ins and then to clean things up, but the fish are swimming all around exploring their new home. We got a siphon type cleaner to clean debris from the gravel, and I’ll read up on when to change the filter pad, etc., but now that it’s altogether, it looks like it’ll be a lot less work for me and a nicer home for the fish.
They’re already swimming through the holes in the decorations. It has LED lights and a quieter air pump than we had in the bowl. We corralled all the wiring as much as possible.
I keep finding another reason to go back to the kitchen/dining area so I can look at the aquarium again. I love Christmas in July!
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Such a nice aquarium for all of you and much better for the fish too, Linda 🙂
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Thank you, Irene. I’m happy for less work and a cleaner environment for the fish. Even though I washed everything every two or three days, the water would get cloudy. This should keep the fish healthier.
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This is grand! 😀 I love how you set up your decorations. I have a five gallon tank too! Where did you get your siphon pump?
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Thank you for your kind words. I got the siphon pump at WalMart. I haven’t used it yet, but it sounded like a good way to get any debris off the gravel when needed. Good luck with your tank and fish. :0)
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You are absolutely welcome! 🙂
Oh, nice! If I may ask, how much was it and what brand? I’ve been needing one, but haven’t known what to look for. Be sure to tell me how it works! 😀 The gravel always seems to get so dirty, so often.
Thanks so much!! 🙂
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Aqua Culture Regular Gravel Vacuum Cleaner is the brand name. I’m sorry but I don’t have the receipt so I don’t know how much it cost. It wasn’t expensive, though, for something you can use over and over. The directions say to put a bucket near and below the aquarium. Put the end of the hose in the bucket and submerge the cylinder in the aquarium until it fills completely with water. Rapid move it up and down until siphoning begins (about 5 times) Place open end of the cylinder in the gravel to begin cleaning. Debris is siphoned into the bucket with the water. The gravel falls down when the cylinder is lifted – you end up removing about 25% of the water doing this and will, of course need to replace it. I’ve never done it, but it suggests to do it once a month. I hope this helps.
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Thank you SO much!!!! That’s so super helpful! I’m going to have to find me one of those. 😀 You’ve been a huge help; I appreciate it! God bless!
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We can compare notes when we try it. Please let me know if you try yours. My aquarium is staying AMAZINGLY clean so far. I really find it hard to believe. :0)
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Yes! That’s a great idea! 🙂 I’ll keep you updated when I get one and try it out. That’s great!! When I first got my five gallon I was shocked too– the filter does a lot to keep it clean! The only problem I have with mine is I usually get a thick glaze of mush on the top of the tank, which I have to skim off, which is really gross. Otherwise, it’s pretty clean; cleaner than my small tank for sure! 🙂
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I was emptying out and washing my two gallon wheel shaped bowl every two or three days. Everything was ‘slimy.’ :0( I’m truly amazed and pleased so far.
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Oh, wow! That was tough I bet. 😦 Even just washing my gallon tank once a week was difficult! You have goldfish right? The bigger tanks are a major help! 🙂
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Yes, I have four small, very bright colored goldfish now. :0)
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Aw, I love those! 😀 I’ve always thought about getting me a goldfish! I have a betta fish; I used to have an otocinclus catfish in there with him, and once a frog, but he outlived them both. He’s pretty old now. 😛
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Betas are gorgeous. Since I was having such a bad time with fish lately, I opted to get four less expensive ones this time. I love the way the four of them interact.
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