Tetra Press has some pretty good books out with basic information about everything from when you first set-up your tank to recognizing diseases, breeding, and you can usually find sections on the different species of fish. Most of their books are available at your local fish stores.

Understanding the nitrification cycle early on is important. Unfortunately, most new aquarists have no clue what this is or what it means to the fish in the tank. It's not until they are in what we refer to as cycling h*ll that they learn what these words can mean. Even though both Henry and I previously had tanks, it wasn't til this round that we learned about cycling. It would be wonderful if fish stores had signs stating IS YOUR TANK CYCLED? But... they don't, most of them that is. For this reason test kits are invaluable. Having an Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and even a pH test kit should be the law! :)

Lastly, the fish. Knowing what fish can withstand what water parameters and live harmoniously is also important. While it is next to impossible to say for certainty that one breed of fish will or will not co-habitate nicely with another, there are some basics. It's pretty safe to assume that a Jack Dempsey shouldn't be kept with Guppies or Tiger Barbs with Bettas. Theres a reason fish stores have dozens of tanks instead of a few really big ones. :)

What does all of this mean to me? Well... it means I follow a routine everyday. Our situation is different since we have so many tanks. Each day there is a partial water change that needs to be performed somewhere. Some days I (we) do get away without having to carry buckets of water. Those days are nice! We have one of those Python things for doing water changes but I just don't care for it. I like conditioning the water before it goes into the tank. It's a matter of controling the parameters of the water to make sure it matches as close as possible the water in the tanks. I understand it probably is not necessary to do this but it's a little quirk I seem to have. Besides, it's good exercise. *lol*

I am more the caretaker of the fish. Henry is the tech man. He handles all the hardware on the tanks. Men and their gadgets... what can I say. Back to the fish. I've gotten to where I can pretty much know at a glance if the occupants of a tank and the tank itself are healthy and happy. A healthy tank means healthy fish. Just as an unhealthy tank would mean unhealthy fish. I use to think that fish were just that, fish. Not true, for the most part the fish have their own individual styles. While some seem to just hang out others are constantly busy and in motion. I thoroughly enjoy just sitting and watching some of the antics. There is a saying about a dog being a mans best friend. I would have to contend that label should also go to a fish! They do just about the same things minus the barking and having to go outside to do their thing. *lol*

It's not all fun and games though. I am pretty much held captive to these tanks. With having so many it's hard for us to just pick up and go on a whim like we use to. Sometimes through no fault of anyone, things can happen. It is unfair of me to expect someone who has only limited experience with fish tanks to come into all of this and be able to recognize a disaster in the making. For someone not use to the behavior patterns of the different fish, the sounds that the filters make, whether or not there is air rising from the air stones, the look of the water, the temperature, not knowing what is normal can lead to disaster and quick, not only to a tank and the fish but also the house! It's not all the fishes fault though. We also have dogs and cats that require daily attention. I knew this and chose to continue on with adding more tanks. So... as long as Henry and I can find time to get away together for short periods of enjoying our other hobbies (check out Henrys Railfan.net site) And as long as doing the maintenance on the tanks is something I enjoy and doesn't feel like a job, and the pros outweigh the cons, the fish stay. :)