3.12.2024 No sploshing about.

 ~o~

  Tuesday 3rd 37F/3C [7.15] Overcast and very, very dark. Sunrise is at 8.15.

  Up at 6.10 after a busy night.

The forecast is confusing.  I thought it might be a day for a ride but the promised sunshine and light winds are not certain. There is talk of scattered showers and stronger winds. Starting westerly as a light breeze but going northerly and increasing by lunch time. Temperatures could be between 2-5C/35-41F.

  After going outside to check the weather I drove to see my friend. It was cold and quite cloudy at the time. Though there were periods of sunshine later. 

 13.10 Returned from visiting my friend and shopping.

 15.30 I have replaced one quarter of the water in the goldfish aquarium at 68.2F/20C. First I use a submersible pump to lower the water in the fish tank. Then move the pump to the bathroom and pump fresh tapwater back from a 20L tub sitting in the bath. One must avoid introducing any soap residue. I use a 10m long, food quality, clear hose. The bath mixer tap allows me to match the temperature in the tank. Within a couple of 1/10s of a degree F. 

 The water looked cloudy at first but cleared within a couple of hours.

 I rinse the power filter sponges in the discarded tank water. To avoid decimating the beneficial bacteria. Though the local tapwater doesn't contain chlorine anyway. I have a garden hose spray "pistol" in a quick release hose fittings. Which I un-clip and move from the bath to the fish tank depending on the direction of water flow. The hose remains static. I merely swap the pump and spray pistol in the fittings on each end. It sounds like a lot of work but it is far easier and safer. Than walking back and forth with heavy buckets. 

 Fish produce waste. Which builds up as nitrogen in their water. They also produce growth inhibitor hormones. So periodic water changes gets rid of these contaminants. Helping to keep the fish healthy and grow strongly. Meanwhile, beneficial bacteria in the power and under-gravel filters. Work constantly on breaking down the nitrogen. The water plants also feed on the nitrogen. It can take some months before a balanced system evolves in a newly set up aquarium.

 Dinner was pan fried chicken and mushrooms with mashed potatoes and baked beans. Half a tin of beans was arguably too much. The mashed potato ended up looking a bit mean. Boiled potatoes always look too  many.

 ~o~