kennyman

I guess I'd rate it a 7. I learned alot this year, caught a pile of bass, a few walleye,one pike,drum at Port Maitland (bass too), a monster crappie in the Grand, fished with my dad a couple times,watched my kids catch a bunch of perch on Simcoe etc. but I never caught any real big fish and could never get my fishing buddy LJ to go to St. Clair or anywhere in the Kawarthas (there was always something). I really wanted a muskie this year, but never had enough chances really. When I was on vacation the only spot I had any real luck at was Murphy's Point. Stayed at Emily for a few days, but almost nobody was catching anything (we got panfish with the kids and lots of them, but that was it). Basically the same thing at Sandbanks except a nice largie in the pads. I'm hoping my son will want to go more next year (turning 10 in a couple weeks) and maybe we'll just go on our own. Met a new friend through this site in "Father of 3". Maybe we'll do a little more fishing next year too. Maybe I'll meet up with a few more of you next year ? Like I said, I'm trying and learning a ton. It could have been better, but it could have been worse too. I'm still hoping to get out again somewhere again plus try ice fishing for the first time ever this winter. So, fishing was fun, had half decent success but nothing to write home about. Camping and spending time with the kids was great. If I could get some big time success when on vacation with my kids in the boat that'd really be a blast. There's always next year (hoping for a 10 LOL).

I hated the fact that he wouldn't play for the team he was drafted by (even though it was Quebec). I thought they should never let him in the NHL after that. BUT, think back everyone to how amazing this guy was as a player. Imagine being the opposition. It's 1992, you're in the Broadstreet bullies homerink. You're in the corner with the puck, you look over your shoulder and see this guy coming at you .... yikes!!! When he was healthy he was great. He would mow down anything in his path. Even better, when he put on the red and white jersey and played for team Canada he gave it his all. Don't get me wrong,I'm not giving him all the credit, but him being on the Canadian juniors when we won gold in 91 was not just coincidence. He really gained my respect over the years every time he put on that jersey. You could really see the passion for the game in his eyes. Anyway, I never liked him at first, but he won me over.

That's a big momma isn't it? I know you're not going to tell us where, but what did you catch that beauty on? Thanks for posting that Rideau monster.

Beauty fish guys. Love knowing what you caught them on too. Thanks for the info. You guys are EXTREME!

A rattling Storm Chug Bug for topwater baby!

Buick Allure (called Century previously), Chevy Impala, Buick Regal are basically the same chasis built in Oshawa and have been rivalling the Jap cars in "initial quality" etc. for a few years now. We bought a Century because they're great driving, reliable, reasonably priced cars.

NOT AGAIN!! Had this sent to me last night as well.

Haven't put a name on it yet, but I think it's going to be "Hideous". That's what my daughter said the first time she laid eyes on it.

I think it's an algae bloom, not cycling because the tanks been running for four months already. Chances are it should have cycled by now, it's just the bioload is more than the tank is equipped to handle. It takes quite a while to build a stable enviroment and even then, when things are going smooth and you think you have it mastered, someone seems to throw a wrench into the spokes. If it was mine I'd do 50% water changes every day for a few days and then every couple days for a couple weeks. Do at least five gallons, vacuum it out and when replacing use bottled or RO water at the same temp and when you dump it in redirect the flow with your hand (or plate... whatever) so not to completely stir up the remaining crap on the bottom. Keep running the carbon and phosphate remover and keep your filters clean. Feed very little right now. If it was mine I probably wouldn't feed anything for four or five days and small amounts until this is under control. As far as the plants go, I'd grab something simple like a potted sword and see whether your plecos a good candidate for plants. If it's there in a week or two, you're probably okay. Either way, you'll figure it out. I know this sounds like alot of work, but once everythings in balance it'll be sooo much easier.

If it's mine I'd use RO water to start with. Some guys get away with using it, but since you're having issues I'd go bottled for a while. I know it's a bit of a pain but if you start with crap you just have to remove it (if you can). The water conditioner will neutralize the chlorine, but won't take out all the other junk you're adding (in the tapwater) that cause algae outbreaks not to mention some nasty chemicals, pollutants and heavy metals which once in the system are almost impossible to remove. The carbon's a great idea and the phospahte remover's also a step in the right direction, but plants do it naturally. I've never used the "Goldfish and Koi food" but if I had to guess I'd bet it's pretty high in fish meal and phosphates. If you use a lower phosphate flake like "Nutrafin Max" you'll be adding less into the water. I personally think the Hikari Algae Wafers are decent. They don't seem to dissolve either, which ia a good sign. My other advice AGAIN is to put plants in there. The plants will compete with algae for light and nutrients and the pleco if it's one of the smaller exotics (zebra,gold nugget etc.) it shouldn't destroy them. I guess try a couple and see. Maybe do a little research. I think there are some types that they're at least less likely to eat. I think you'll be fine, but if all else fails you may have to use corys instead.

Great to hear everything went relatively well Cliff. I feel for you, when the engine hadn't fired after so many pulls. You can feel it in the pit of your stomach and then ........ BOOM, she comes to life. Must have felt great getting here out for the first run. Did you bust the champagne on the berth . Here's a very funny link called "How to Christen a boat" http://www.ehow.com/how_2069779_christen-boat.html . Everyone with a boat should give it a read .

Okay. Let's start with the basics. What is your source water? What do you add to it ...... tell me everything? Water changes? Have you bought any plants yet? What exactly is the food you're using? Are you using carbon yet?

Can this guy catch'em or what! . Whistle away!!! The pied piper of Paris strikes again!!!!

Congrats. A fish like that makes all the skunks worth it. Very nice ........ I'm sooo jealous.

Looks like I'm praying in the pic of me (in the water) ...... oh yeah, I think I was LOL . Can't even see my pole?

Congratulations on the "rad"ride. That's a great looking boat. Really nice and deep. Well. nowhere is safe now. When you guys were just shore fishing others could move away from the shore so they could catch fish too. Now that you have a boat they'll be no fish for the rest of us. I've been looking too and just put a deposit on one of my own. Picking it up on Wednesday and I'll post pics then. Mine seems quite boring compared to yours though Cliff. Nice deal. Oh yeah .... save a few fish for the rest of us to catch please.

Good advice. Lowering the temp will also slow the metabolism of the fish a little, meaning they'll need to eat less ....... hence poop less. If you're going to lower the temps to it gradual, say one degree every few days or so. I going to go back to the plants again too. They will help you in maintaining the tank, cleaning the water (by using the poop as food) just as trees help clean our air and make our enviroment better. A simple solution indeed (or at least part of it). If you hate the look of plants you'll have to be the one doing the cleaning instead of the plants. P.S. I think you're on the right track with feeding them less as well.

I'm working too ......... or at least I'm at work LOL.

Yep, didn't catch a darn thing, but saw the pied piper in action. He whistled them in again.

I have a little experience as well, from fresh planted discus to saltwater tanks and corals. I was going to ask the same questions as others here. My first thought is that this is a new setup and it hasn't cycled yet. Really anyone contemplating setting up a tank should run it for weeks before adding anything living to it. You can start a bacterial cycle the easiest IMHO by using some substrate and/or filter material from a tank that's been up and running for a long time. If you have no access to a running healthy tank, some people throw in a shrimp (dead) or a dead fish to get the cycle going. Unfortunately most stores won't tell you not to buy the fish right away and will fill your cart with chemicals. Another thing I think people overlook is the original source of the water ....... did it just come straight from the tap? Well water? Who know what the water contains and it varies sooo much, week to week and city to city?I know where I live the difference is massive and anything from die offs to simple algea blooms occcur in great numbers when cities treat the water, sometimes with massive doses of chemicals or who knows what. I use (rent) RO filtration, but most bottled water is also RO. At least that way, your water is consistent. I then use a product called "RO Right" by Kent which adds in pretty much everything you'll need in your water. If you're going to grow plants some laterite in the substrate will go a long way to keeping your plants happy. I think keeping plants in a freshwater aquarium is one of the best ways to keep a whole tank healthy. Now, heavily planted tanks require other supplementation which could be just some plant food, something as simple as peat (which works great with a low ph or acidic {soft water} and is also very inexpensive) or in some cases the addition of CO2. Plants are sort of a harmless, natural filtration method. Carbon is also one of the most effective harmless ways to remove pollutants from your system. I better stop right here. If you need any help you can pm me. Some others have given some great advice here as well. Obviously we have some aquarists aboard. Nice to know. What I've found is that there are ALOT of ways to keep a healthy tank and many of them work. People start out doing a million complicated things. PH up, PH down chemicals etc. Heck, there's a chemical for everything .........and what I've noticed is that keeping it simple works pretty well (believe me, I made all the mistakes too......... maybe you won't have to). Mother nature does pretty well and if you can start out right, balance a system and set it to take care of itself you'll have the most success, enjoy it more and stay in the hobby longer. Sorry for the long winded reply everyone. I just finally can comment on a topic I know at least something about. Usually I'm just learning on this site.

The best run in a kayak or canoe, at least on of the best IMHO is the run between Glen Morris and Paris. There is a launch at the "rail trail" entrance right in Glen Morris. You won't be dissapointed especially in the spring/early summer when water levels are higher. It's a fun run and there are fishing spots all along the way, plus it ends at the Paris dam. I believe you can still fish above it right nowa nd after Nov 1 you can fish below it again.

Congrats. He's a big'n. Your life will never be the same ....... in a VERY good way. Enjoy every moment, they go way to fast.

You are the carpmaster. I've seen him in action. He just whistles and just like the pied piper they all follow. LOL.

I was fishing Friday morning and it was freezing, but I did well. Seven decent bass in a couple hours. I think the fall bite is on!

AHHH, 100 meteres to the "exceptional waters".