The 2008 January/February Goldfish Report is in preparation. For general info and specific instructions for authors for the Goldfish Report, take a look here. This page is updated as information is provided to the Webmaster.
If you have let your membership lapse or have been thinking about joining the GFSA, now is a great time - here is a form you can print. To submit material for the Goldfish Report to our editor, please see the updated society contact info. Articles and photos in electronic form are particularly appreciated.
The current line-up of people filling the GFSA offices is on the society officers page. The GFSA Board of Directors continues 2008 with a focus on ensuring that the society is undertaking activities and providing services that our members want. Tell us if there is something you really want (even better, volunteer to help us do it).
Interested in joining the GFSA but still not sure? We have two sample Goldfish Reports available to download, to demonstrate that every issue is packed with thought provoking information and pictures available nowhere else. We are also promoting an electronic membership option that significantly lowers the cost of membership! Only $10US gets you a year of informative, timely color issues of the GFSA's Goldfish Report, sent directly to your email inbox.
Lessons Learned "Quick Hits"
We are soliciting short lessons-learned from hobbyists: events that possibly left you sadder, but measurably wiser. Have a good one? Please send it to the . Here is a brief diatribe from the Webmaster:
Saving energy is an occasional, recurring theme in these quick hits. Lighting for aquaria remains the primary energy consumer in our hobby. For aquariums that are showpieces, out on display, there are commercial compact fluorescent hoods that feature higher efficiency than traditional fluorescent lights (and any fluorescent light will, for the energy used, be far more efficient that an incandescent light). However, these modern aquarium light hoods are fairly expensive. For aquariums that may be in your basement or otherwise not out on public display there may be cheaper options. Most of us have traditionally used the 48 inch 2 bulb "shop lights in these situations. These are an inexpensive solution, but they typically are cheaply constructed and start to rust quite quickly.
An alternative is to buy clip-on aluminum reflectors and screw-in compact fluorescent lights (more commonly "CFLs"). The reflectors more precisely direct the light, resulting in a smaller, brighter area than the more general illumination of a 48 inch light. Depending on the aquarium setup, this can actually give a more pleasing effect and reduce algae buildup on the tank walls. Two small reflectors and two 19 watt daylight CFLs cost about $25US (Home Depot pricing), and thus are cost competitive with a shop light, while using less energy. They have the added advantage of not rusting. The only challenge is to mount the CFLs properly so that they cannot fall into the aquarium. If you place them on top of an aquarium cover, raise the reflectors a little so air can flow in and help keep the bulbs from becoming too warm.