December 2001

Events

We have no more listed events for 2001. Now comes the hard part: we need to update the calendar for 2002! If you have an event planned with rough or exact dates, please let us know. You can use the (hopefully) convenient submission form on the events calendar page.

GFSA Info

Contribute something to the Goldfish Report! Please provide any articles, news items, photos, comments and requests to the editor, Vince McCarty, for inclusion in the Report. Vince has offered a set of topics for future issues, to try and get all of you to dig back in your trove of experiences and create a contribution for the Report. These are listed below, with the first on the list due for the next issue:

March/April 2002 (submit by January 2002)
Buying Goldfish - How to find the best source/fish for you, what to look for, Breeding issue, culling
May/June 2002 (submit by March 2002)
Pond issue, filters, feeding, algae, pond preparation, poisonous plants, pre-show issue. Show times, requests for help, tips on judging, requests for items for auction from members and advertisers, volunteers for booth
July/August 2002 (submit by May 2002)
Tips on transporting fish, last minute show details, Fall feeding issue, preparing ponds for fall

Seasonal Advice

Do you have your tank lights on a timer? Goldfish don't seem to suffer particularly from receiving indirect light as opposed to direct light during much of the day (though they look prettiest under bright direct lighting). Consider buying some high quality fluorescent tubes for your tank lighting and then extend the bulb life and save energy by putting them on a timer. You can set the timer to turn the lights on for morning and evening hours, or whenever you are most likely to be viewing your fish. Make sure, though, that there is enough ambient room light to keep the fish active during the day. This approach can also help reduce problems with green water, though 100% water changes or UV-sterilization are the only sure ways to deal with that.