[ladyonyx]

Several of us have expressed our interest in having a discussion about the poor condition of fish departments in many chain pet stores and finding a solution(s) to the issue. Let's pick a night to get together on the forum and talk about this. It's a good way to get everyone's thoughts in one place so we can draft a generic letter that can serve as a template for anyone who would like to contact these companies' corporate offices. Once we set a date/time for this discussion, Jarred and/or Jim are going to post this as an announcement with some text explaining the goal of the chat, that way anyone who wants to participate is welcomes to express their ideas.

So, I'll start. I'm in Chicago and am on the computer most nights after 8:30. What works for all of you?

 

[susankat]

I'm on the computer most of the time so anytime is good for me.

 

[phil_pl]

same here if im not at work or out and about im here

 

[Shotgun]

I made a thread in the freshwater fish section called "save these fish night." it was suppossed to be Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T, but i guess that we will use this thread as a base. Any time after 8:30 works good for me.

 

[ladyonyx]

Oh sorry shotgun, I didn't see it. That time sounds fine for me. Does that work for all of you?

 

[petlover516]

i can only given sparse timings on the computer during the weekends, so Sunday won't be good for me as my library doesn't have sunday hours again until september...or maybe i could convince my grandmother if its OK with her. i'll see what happens.

 

[ladyonyx]

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, it might be better to give ourselves a few more days just so more people can see the announcement we're going to put up, and hopefully come chat.

 

[Shotgun]

yeah, i think that is better. we should wait a few extra days or so, so that more people can read this.

 

[ladyonyx]

OK. How about 8:30 PM E.S.T. on Thursday 7-16? If that works I'll email Jarred some text explaining the goal of the discussion so it can be posted as an announcement.

 

[Shotgun]

FINE BY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me know what happens!

 

[petlover516]

that should work for me.

 

[marlenez]

fine with me too.

 

[Shotgun]

There is an announcement that JIM posted. Check it out.

 

[ardensmith]

I was reading about artificial plants on the net. There is this site that describes using silicone as a base for fake plants. My husband went and used GE silicone II as a plant base and put the plant in. The tube said
that the stuff was not "aquarium safe" My husband then said that meant it wasn't safe to seal an aquarium with and the manufacturer does not want a lawsuit if a huge tank explodes from the wrong silicone.
Anyway, the plant was in there all night and the fish were acting weird this morning. One was hanging out under the filter, the other two were acting normal. I checked on line and found out that this silicone is toxic
to fish, so I removed the plant and did about a 90% water change and replaced the salt. The three mollies are just hanging out now, but that may be the stress from the huge water change. Anyway would Epsom salts help or do I just wait to see if it is too late. I will no longer let my spouse
make any aquarium decisions again. Thank you!!!
. Yes, it is true that you need to use only aquarium-safe silicone around fish. The silicone itself isn't toxic so far as I know, but the anti-fungus chemicals added to the silicone usually are toxic, and the
aquarium-safe silicone lacks these. Removing the silicone from the tank, and then doing one or more large water changes, should bring things back down to normal. The addition of fresh carbon to the filter would also be very helpful. After a week, remove that carbon and throw it away. Cheers, Neale.>
would like to try correcting misstatements I have made re the use of various "Silicone" formulations... They are NOT necessarily toxic, but often unsuitable in other ways. Please see the discussion here:
Mea culpa, but I have misunderstood that 100% Silicone on labels was and is NOT the same product/formulation. ONLY ones distinctly labeled FOR AQUARIUM USE should be employed for such

thanks