[KenC1]

My name is Ken. I live with my family in Rodriguez just outside Manila. I am originally from Ohio by way of Oklahoma.
I have wanted an aquarium and was finally nudged to take the step when we went on a field trip and they gave my son 3 small fish. I have no idea what they are but we have them in a 5 gallon tank with 8 male guppies. This may be the beginning of something.

[GwenInNM]

Originally Posted by KenC1

My name is Ken. I live with my family in Rodriguez just outside Manila. I am originally from Ohio by way of Oklahoma.
I have wanted an aquarium and was finally nudged to take the step when we went on a field trip and they gave my son 3 small fish. I have no idea what they are but we have them in a 5 gallon tank with 8 male guppies. This may be the beginning of something.

Welcome Ken. Are you transferred on business, or was this a choice to try something new, outside of the USA? Sounds like a beautiful place to live. I read in another post you're already upgrading to a larger tank. You'll find it very helpful here if you have questions. Best of luck with your fish!

Gwen

[Boredomb]

Hi Ken and Welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping!

[KenC1]

Gwen, Actually, I met my wife while I was working in Saudi Arabia in 1999. She is from this area so when I retired, I just moved here because she wanted to stay here with her family. It was difficult until I got Internet here and then I was connected so things are calm now.
I didn't upgrade yet. She was visiting her friend when I set up the 5 gallon and isn't receptive to geting a 20 gallon right now. It may take some time before we make tha move. ( Maybe next week.)
I will be posting a problem I am looking forward to on another thread soon. I am wondering about male/female and how to balance with what I have without buying too much more.
Ken

[Jakiebabie]

Hi KenC1. Welcome to TFK. Yes keep working on the bigger tank cause if you have 8 Guppies and the original 3 all in a 5 gallon you are kind of overstocked. Just My Opinion.
The other big difference between the big and small tanks is that if you have a water problem in the larger tank like Ammonia, or NitrIte, or NitrAte the effect is slower in the bigger.
eg. Drop a drop of coloured water into a cup, v.s. the same drop of coloured water into say a 20 gallon. More diluted, the problem has less effect/intensity!! Things happen much faster in the small tank.
Plus lots more room to swim around.
Just keep working on the wife... or as some of them in here say... it's easier to apologize after the fact than to get permission up front. LOL. Good Luck!!

[aunt kymmie]

Originally Posted by Jakiebabie

it's easier to apologize after the fact than to get permission up front. LOL. Good Luck!!

That's always been my motto!
Welcome to TFK, Ken. We are glad you joined us. I've always wanted to visit the Philippines. Someday...

[KenC1]

Thanks all. I found out the 3 unknowns are goldfish and they will be departing soon. Right now they seem to be busy cleaning up the bottom of the tank. That is solving one of my challenges until I can get to a good tfs. There is one in the mall in Fairview some miles from here.
I still need to get the testing kits and check out why they do not use heaters here. The homes are not air conditioned and the temperature in the tanks seem to stay around the temperature for guppies and the stronger fish.
Right now we are looking at new furniture for the living room or a 20 gallon setup. I think the living room will prevail if I want to continue to eat and have clean clothes. Fish are fine but a happy wife is better.
I almost have enough saved up for it. I also am 71 and living off my retirement money so there is not a lot left over.
Since I began this the water in the tank has cleared up and we moved it over under the stairs. We have told them to cover the tank when they clean upstairs so nothing falls into the tank.
As for visiting here, I would advise buying a shoulder bag with a strong strap and a good zipper to keep your billfold in. Keep it across your shoulder with the zipper on the inside. Some here will not hesitate to grab it if it is loose. Otherwise, it is a very different Country. It is no longer cheap like it used to be. Gas is about $5.00 a gallon. The good side is that it is not far to anything. People generally speak English when they want to.

[willow]

hello and welcome. :)