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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Hobby's

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22 May 2008 00:30 - 11 Dec 2008 09:31 #1 by LimerickBandit (Donal Doran)
Just wondering what other hobbies you all have
We all have fish keeping in common and that can take up a lot of time
So when the tank(s) have been cleaned and the fish are fed what else do you do?

For me its mainly biking, any chance I get I’m out on my bike
On the 27th of June I’m going for a 3 day bike run over a 1000 miles should be fun
Hope the weather is good
Here's a pic of my bike




So what do ye do?
Last edit: 11 Dec 2008 09:31 by LimerickBandit (Donal Doran).

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22 May 2008 09:01 - 22 May 2008 10:13 #2 by mickeywallace (Michael Wallace Cath Woods)
NIce :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: bike:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
but i got a medical ban:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

for me its birds and sci fi



Ps zebra finches for sale soon:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Mickey Wallace & Cath Woods
Last edit: 22 May 2008 10:13 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin).

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22 May 2008 10:08 #3 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Re:Hobbies
For me it's Fishing, especially Pike and Trout (and Salmon before the drift netters put paid to that!!!) - I was a keen Match Angler in the UK in a previous life but since moving here Pike Fishing was my Angling Passion away from Fishkeeping.

Hopefully I'll be able to go again in the near future.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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22 May 2008 10:12 - 22 May 2008 10:13 #4 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin)
Photography is my other hobby

More at Flickr

Darragh
Last edit: 22 May 2008 10:13 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin).

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22 May 2008 10:25 - 22 May 2008 10:35 #5 by Valerie (Valerie)
Replied by Valerie (Valerie) on topic Re:Hobbies
For me, it's horse-riding, cooking, baking, eating and socialising !!! :laugh:



Valerie
Last edit: 22 May 2008 10:35 by Valerie (Valerie).

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22 May 2008 10:31 - 22 May 2008 10:41 #6 by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady)
Replied by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady) on topic Re:Hobbies
Hi all,
excellent photo Darragh!!
I'm currently researching the carnivalesque in Northern Irish contemporary visual art! tis great except for the lack of time to do anything else. When I finish that I hope to go back to making things from metal, wood and plastics. Have tried to attach image hopefully it'll work. this piece is made from sterling silver and now property of the National Decorative arts museum in Collins Barracks. other hobbies would include most water sports; fishing, surfing canoeing...(but I've sold all my equiptment, some was bit dated anyways).also play piano, (but again I sold it a few years ago, hope to get a new one in next few years though).also love cooking, but hate peppers:angry:
Last edit: 22 May 2008 10:41 by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady).

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22 May 2008 12:14 #7 by tanks_alot (Denis Coghlan)
I'm with JohnH on this one. Fishing is my main other intrest. Been fishing for the majority of my life but have only recently gotten into fly fishing for the larger less fished for species both fresh water and salt water.

Here are a couple of fish that I managed on fly so far this year;

My first ever mullet of 4lb 2oz (fought like a train and took me 16mins to land on a #5 weight)


Had a lot of these small Jack Pike (still looking for that first double figure fish)


Lots of Pollack


First Brown Trout of the year


A small finnock trout (sea trout)


The other good thing I like about fly fishing is that it gives you the opportunity to tie all your own flies. Here's a snap of a pike fly that worked particularly well. Note the length of copper thread wire to stop the fish biting through the mono.


Lead me not into temptation, For I can find it myself!

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22 May 2008 12:59 - 22 May 2008 13:06 #8 by lampeye (lampeye)
Replied by lampeye (lampeye) on topic Re:Hobbies
not really a hobby but i love my vespa!


i suppose reading is my other hobby...i need to read! one book that sticks out as my favourites is cannary row
ive been getting into carpentry...nothing fancy yet , some bookshelves.

lampeye
Last edit: 22 May 2008 13:06 by lampeye (lampeye).

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22 May 2008 13:49 #9 by tanks_alot (Denis Coghlan)
Nice bike lampeye, however, I thin kit could do with more mirrors!

Lead me not into temptation, For I can find it myself!

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22 May 2008 15:41 #10 by pointer28 (Noel Lambert)
Replied by pointer28 (Noel Lambert) on topic Re:Hobbies
Oh, so many hobbies, so little time.

I've had to give up a few over the last couple of years through lack of time. Now my main hobbies are:

1. Showjumping Course Designer (originally for the summer months but now it's year round). I love it though and it means I get to do lots of travelling and meet loads of like minded people.

2. Ferreting (winter only), I have 1 male and 3 females and provide a pest control service for horsey people with rabbit problems, and stock my freezer at the same time.

3. Try to do some fishing as well, I took up fly fishing but it usually results in lots of swearing, multiple knots where there shouldn't be and no fish for dinner. :blush:

P.S. Valerie, that arena looks very familiar but I can't think where.

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22 May 2008 16:04 #11 by zig (zig)
Replied by zig (zig) on topic Re:Hobbies
Must be doing something wrong, I have no time for other hobbies:huh:

Nice pieces oog1111, did you see the craft competition series on TG4 there a while back, very good series( subtitled of course!) they did a very good one on fine metal work, the people made some very nice pieces.

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22 May 2008 16:59 #12 by Seany (Sean Phelan)
Replied by Seany (Sean Phelan) on topic Re:Hobbies
Apart from the reef tank this is my other part-time project



I also grow about 300 orchid species in a 16 ft x 10 ft greenhouse.

I used to go fishing but have no time at the moment. Hope to get back to it when house is finished next year!

Kind regards

Sean

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22 May 2008 18:11 #13 by lampeye (lampeye)
Replied by lampeye (lampeye) on topic Re:Hobbies
wow nice house seany.
tanks a lot: do u eat them or put them back in?

lampeye

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22 May 2008 18:51 #14 by tanks_alot (Denis Coghlan)
Lampeye, they all go back. For the last year I have been fishing with barbless hooks to minimise the amount of damage caused. In my opinion it really doesn't effect the percentage of fish landed but makes a huge difference in unhooking the fish and the amount of time that it is out of the water for. I used to do a lot of deep sea fishing but have pretty much given it up due to the amount of swim bladder damage caused by pressure changes, in species like pollack, coalfish, ling, wrasse etc.. if the fish is brought up from 60feet or more the swim bladder usually blows up and mortality is about 100%. Not really my cup of tea if you are not planning on keeping the fish for consumption.

Nice house Seany, which room is the new marine tank going in? is that a purpose built fish shed on the right hand side of the house or is that going to be the orchid house?

Lead me not into temptation, For I can find it myself!

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22 May 2008 22:23 #15 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens)
Great thread, often wondered what others got up to when not changing water!

I used to do some fishing, but never enjoyed catching anything, hated getting the hook out, the barbless hooks sound like a good idea. I enjoyed the peace and quiet more.

I also paint, at least I used to have not done anything for a couple of years, www.flickr.com/photos/bluetit/67645829/sizes/m/in/set-532061/ but breaks that that are not unusual. I will get back it. I also do some photography, www.flickr.com/photos/bluetit/sets/427895/ but that that not had much attention for the last 12 months or so, particularly like street photography and photographing musicians, www.flickr.com/photos/bluetit/sets/72157594149931396/ because I love music.

I guess fishkeeping is in pole position at the moment, I need to realign priorities a little.

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23 May 2008 10:36 #16 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Re:Hobbies
Yes, I agree.
A good thread, and I hope everyone participates.
I would add that I have been interested in Photography since my schooldays (an awfully long time ago now) starting off with an Ensign (sort of) TLR camera, I progressed through all sorts of 'better' 35mm cameras but returned to roll-film cameras in later years, even have a couple of plate film cameras.
Sadly, then along came these digital monstrosities and for me photography sort of 'lost something' then.
I have to admit embracing (but never fully) digital 'cameras' and grudgingly have to admit they do have their uses but in my opinion nothing in that line of things can improve upon the satisfaction you can feel watching an image appear before your eyes in a developing tray (under red lighting) in the darkroom it's sort of magical and never ceases to excite me...well, I'm easily pleased!!!

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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23 May 2008 17:49 #17 by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady)
Replied by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady) on topic Re:Hobbies
Sean, poor you! House building! nightmare, unless you're extremely laid back like my other half! was at your stage about a year and a half ago. moved in last july, got finished staircase last week!! amazing how you get used to living in a half finished house!anyways you've it all ahead of you.

good luck with it and hope things go a little more smoothly for you.

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23 May 2008 23:20 - 23 May 2008 23:22 #18 by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl)
Replied by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl) on topic Re:Hobbies
only moved into our house in the end of February this year. Started building process in July last year, so it was fast. But I have to agree, it is amazing how you learn to live with an unfinished house :P
dont have a lot of spare time on my hands, work is taking a lot of it. But my pets are my passion after that. Got ( apart from the fish ) 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 bunnies and 2 horses.
If I do find some spare time, I like photography and drawing animals. Here some of my work in case you like to see it :P



this one is still unfinished :unsure:
Last edit: 23 May 2008 23:22 by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl).

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24 May 2008 00:31 #19 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens)
Those drawings are fantastic. What size are they? The \"unfinished\" one is spooky, it is so real.

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24 May 2008 17:57 #20 by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl)
Replied by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl) on topic Re:Hobbies
Thank you :blush:
The drawings are all A4 size. The actually look a bit grainy here because I put them up so small ;) The first 2 were commissioned, the last one just for fun.

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25 May 2008 19:24 - 25 May 2008 19:27 #21 by Seany (Sean Phelan)
Replied by Seany (Sean Phelan) on topic Re:Hobbies
oog111 and lampeye: Yes its real pain in the ass but I hope to move this time next year. Ask me again in 6 months time i.e. November and I'll probably still say \"Hopefully this time next year\" !!!

tanks_alot: I am planning a 8 foot reef tank in the kitchen/Diner If my other half agrees to it. I'm still working on it! I plan to have the sump in the utility room which backs onto the Kitchen Diner so all noises / smells will not be a problem. Thats the plan anyway.

DreamerGirl: Those pictures are amazing. Do you do commissions ?

Following on from the fishing photos here a picture of my most recent capture in Maderia some time ago.



A three hundred pound yellow fin tuna. Took 45 minutes to land this baby. An hour previously I hooked but lost an estimated (Boat Skipper) 600lb Marlin. Hope to get back some day and try again. The marlin is for the new tank :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

And yes that is a Chelsea FC Cap. Don't mention the war !!!!!

Kind regards

Seany
Last edit: 25 May 2008 19:27 by Seany (Sean Phelan).

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25 May 2008 20:03 #22 by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady)
Replied by oog1111 (Orlagh O Grady) on topic Re:Hobbies
wow!!what a catch...haven't been sea fishing since I was very small. only trout and salmon lately (as in three years ago, before manic studying). You interested in trout and salmon or course fishing?? My sis and dad and his mates go to alot of all Ireland qualifiers. ever go fishing in canada?, it's supposed to be amazing.

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25 May 2008 22:20 #23 by Trimax (Trimax)
Replied by Trimax (Trimax) on topic Re:Hobbies
Lets see, I have 2 jobs that are both hobbies, Fishkeeping (I work in a pet shop looking after the fish section) and Guitar ( I play in a professional outfit in which I actually get paid good money for playing guitar :) ). My other hobbies include Martial arts, various styles which I have studied for 17 years, Herpetoculture, I have an absurd amount of reptiles. Budgies and other birds of the parrot family. I read allot, play video games occasionally, write music when I feel like it and love being out in nature, wheter its climbing, swimming, hiking, or just sitting somewhere isolated with my friends I love the great wide open.

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26 May 2008 20:49 #24 by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl)
Replied by Dreamergirl (Dreamergirl) on topic Re:Hobbies
Seany wrote:

DreamerGirl: Those pictures are amazing. Do you do commissions ?

Following on from the fishing photos here a picture of my most recent capture in Maderia some time ago.



A three hundred pound yellow fin tuna. Took 45 minutes to land this baby. An hour previously I hooked but lost an estimated (Boat Skipper) 600lb Marlin. Hope to get back some day and try again. The marlin is for the new tank :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

And yes that is a Chelsea FC Cap. Don't mention the war !!!!!

Kind regards

Seany


WOW, that is some size fish. Dont think I would have the heart for fishing, I would keep putting them back in the water :laugh: :silly:

Yes, I do commissions. Time is my biggest enemy right now tho :unsure:

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16 Jun 2008 19:29 - 17 Jun 2008 21:47 #25 by LimerickBandit (Donal Doran)
:) Well as of last week i have also added Photography to my hobbies
I bought a canon 40D digital SLR so here’s to a long steep learning curve
Here’s a picture i took last week (remember im just starting)

Last edit: 17 Jun 2008 21:47 by LimerickBandit (Donal Doran). Reason: image size fixed

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17 Jun 2008 00:18 - 17 Jun 2008 00:19 #26 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens)
Great camera, welcome to the Canon club :-)

The photo is very small, but looks great. Learning with digital is great as you can shoot as many as you like and it doesn't cost a penny to see how they turn out :)
Last edit: 17 Jun 2008 00:19 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens).

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17 Jun 2008 02:22 #27 by sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
well i only really have three other hobbies when time allows of course

1) Angling... yes i know fishy people do fishy stuff

2) Photography

3) golfing ( hell i get to play for free at work so why not)

Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild

currently 25 tanks, and breeding is the aim of everything i keep
location:Limerick
Attachments:

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17 Jun 2008 02:22 - 17 Jun 2008 02:25 #28 by sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
well i only really have three other hobbies when time allows of course

1) Angling... yes i know fishy people do fishy stuff

2) Photography

3) golfing ( hell i get to play for free at work so why not)

this is where i work by the way

Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild

currently 25 tanks, and breeding is the aim of everything i keep
location:Limerick
Attachments:
Last edit: 17 Jun 2008 02:25 by sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie). Reason: to add note

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17 Jun 2008 21:42 #29 by LimerickBandit (Donal Doran)
Daragh_Owens wrote:

Great camera, welcome to the Canon club :-)

The photo is very small, but looks great. Learning with digital is great as you can shoot as many as you like and it doesn't cost a penny to see how they turn out :)


Daragh i might be calling on you for a bit of advice about the canon ;)

Ok here is a better one i took today of anna

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17 Jun 2008 23:11 #30 by PAULHARTE25 (PAUL HARTE)
Replied by PAULHARTE25 (PAUL HARTE) on topic Re:Hobbies
I must be doing something wrong,i've no time for other hobbies,working all hours lately,used to do a bit of racing with rc nitro cars,just dont have the time anymore

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