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
what dose this forum do?
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- alan 64 (alan)
-
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 911
- Thank you received: 108
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- JohnH (John)
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 6067
- Thank you received: 857
So, please, start by making some contributions - you'd be more than welcome.
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.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- igmillichip (ian millichip)
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
- Posts: 3366
- Thank you received: 536
The answer is simple: the forum does “forum” stuff.
ian
Irish Tropical Fish Society (ITFS) Member.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
whats the point john when every topic I have seen so far has people having a go on it. And you have all redy started on my one. So why would I make any contributions if there going to start a lode of armchair warriors off on a mad one.The Forum exists entirely as a means by which people can express their opinions - sometimes not always as positive as we would hope - I have always said than ANY Forum is only as strong as its contributors make it.
So, please, start by making some contributions - you'd be more than welcome.
John
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- LemonJelly (Johnny Cowley)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1692
- Thank you received: 268
What is forum stuff? Is forum stuff having a go at people? Is it to slate off shops? So you tell me which it is there.
slate shops? We dare not!
We have heated discussions from time to time but on balance i think we just talk about the kind of stuff that makes most non-fishkeepers glaze over

"The only thing that burns in Hell is the part of you that won't let go of your life; your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you.They're freeing your soul."
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- LemonJelly (Johnny Cowley)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1692
- Thank you received: 268
So youre telling me that in all the topics I have read thet not one shop has been slated off? If you are you are very much so in the non-fishkeepers group.
aaaaand I'm out...
good luck in whatever it is you're trying to achieve...
"The only thing that burns in Hell is the part of you that won't let go of your life; your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you.They're freeing your soul."
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- sincgar (Feargal Costello)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 246
- Thank you received: 14
But the day to day stuff is people helping people. I have an issue i post it and other like minded but more experienced people come back and suggest what I should or should not do. all in the spirit of helping.
sometimes they complain about the condition of fish in shops but usually without mentioning names directl
others post desciptions, blogs, pics etc of their plans, their existing tanks and people congratulate them, ooh and aah at the fish or tank pics.
People sell/buy to/from like minded people at decent prices.
I have done all of the above and met some really nice people. I have given odd bits and probably received even more odd bits of kit and advice on here
Would'nt be without this forum
Novice fishkeeper as will never learn enough in this fascinating hobby/life to be an expert
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- anglecichlid (ciaran hogan)
-
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 902
- Thank you received: 201
All im trying to achieve is to see what the forum is all about. but thanks any way.
Something tells me this guy is already on the forum and has joined again to stir it up under a different name,
My spider sense is tingling
Anyone with a aquarium can keep fish,
But it takes real skill to be a fish keeper,
And it's spongeBob,
SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea
BLANCHARDSTOWN
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- JohnH (John)
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 6067
- Thank you received: 857
whats the point john when every topic I have seen so far has people having a go on it. And you have all redy started on my one. So why would I make any contributions if there going to start a lode of armchair warriors off on a mad one.The Forum exists entirely as a means by which people can express their opinions - sometimes not always as positive as we would hope - I have always said than ANY Forum is only as strong as its contributors make it.
So, please, start by making some contributions - you'd be more than welcome.
John
I fear I am at a loss to see in what way I have " 'all redy' started on your one" maybe you'll enlighten us?
Anyway, I could be wrong (and hope I am) but your posts so far seem intent upon attempting to stir up your aforementioned armchair warriors, I'm wondering, in fact, if you aren't a closet one of those yourself.
Maybe you'd like to come clean and tell us who you really are.
So, to answer your question:
The Forum is here - for better or for worse - take it or leave it, the choice is yours.
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.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- newbejkjimk (damien kelly)
- Offline
- Senior Member
-
- Posts: 394
- Thank you received: 59
jim
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
thank you for a good response much appreciatedThis forum is for fishkeepers. Yes it has the odd rant about particular shops and some people go over the top. some people and shops invite the grief for their own reasons. As Ryanair say no publicity is bad publicity
But the day to day stuff is people helping people. I have an issue i post it and other like minded but more experienced people come back and suggest what I should or should not do. all in the spirit of helping.
sometimes they complain about the condition of fish in shops but usually without mentioning names directl
others post desciptions, blogs, pics etc of their plans, their existing tanks and people congratulate them, ooh and aah at the fish or tank pics.
People sell/buy to/from like minded people at decent prices.
I have done all of the above and met some really nice people. I have given odd bits and probably received even more odd bits of kit and advice on here
Would'nt be without this forum
Novice fishkeeper as will never learn enough in this fascinating hobby/life to be an expert
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- JohnH (John)
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 6067
- Thank you received: 857
Not a piss take just wanted to know what Opinions that is all some people going o the offensive Straight away and if they could explain some of the negative stuff. Thats all so calm down ther john and just answer The question if u can.
Bruce - I really don't need to calm down.
I'm pleased that you have identified yourself as Batman, there was me thinking you were Johnny Connors - the Terminator.
...I wonder...
Anyway - work away and have your fun, I'm almost seeing a funny side of you and your posts already.
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.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- newbejkjimk (damien kelly)
- Offline
- Senior Member
-
- Posts: 394
- Thank you received: 59
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
have you got all day? Not trying to be a prick but come on you must of seen some your self?Can you give any examples of the negative stuff you are talking about?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- hammie (Neil Hammerton)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1204
- Thank you received: 184
Most of the lads here know eachother well, and have a bit of banter amongst eachother more than anything...
Yes there is the odd rant or cross word, but sure that happens everywhere......
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Flip_Flop (jp hynes)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 10
- Thank you received: 1
good man john dont want you to burst a blood vessel Over it all.
Not a piss take just wanted to know what Opinions that is all some people going o the offensive Straight away and if they could explain some of the negative stuff. Thats all so calm down ther john and just answer The question if u can.
Bruce - I really don't need to calm down.
I'm pleased that you have identified yourself as Batman, there was me thinking you were Johnny Connors - the Terminator.
...I wonder...
Anyway - work away and have your fun, I'm almost seeing a funny side of you and your posts already.
John
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- ipcompto (Ian Compton)
-
- Offline
- Sponsor
-
- Posts: 567
- Thank you received: 168
cheers
Ian
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- igmillichip (ian millichip)
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
- Posts: 3366
- Thank you received: 536
Not sure if Guassian Distribution or Poisson Distribution will jump out at me.
or maybe I'll just dream of the days when I used to smoke loads of ciggies and drink uber strong coffee.
ummm??? so many choices on a forum like this.

But...that is what forums do. "Forum Stuff"
ian
Irish Tropical Fish Society (ITFS) Member.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- davey_c (dave clarke)
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 922
- Thank you received: 163
Granted, if you are of course batman, then you are only here a short time with only a low post count so my advice would be to look through threads a little older than recent and then tell us we are here for the wrong reasons because there has always been excellent advice and help given.
Lets just say we all have our reasons for what we can say, as have you your reasons for putting up this thread, and that you will learn with more time here

Below tank is for sale
my plywood tank build.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#137768
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- anglecichlid (ciaran hogan)
-
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 902
- Thank you received: 201
Good to see you back on form Ian,my spider senses are tingling i always loved that line....never a dull moment is there lads....
cheers
Ian
Haven't seen reply to a post like this one...................well,
Ever!

Funny that!
Anyone with a aquarium can keep fish,
But it takes real skill to be a fish keeper,
And it's spongeBob,
SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea
BLANCHARDSTOWN
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Aroshni (Lydia Olivera)
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 520
- Thank you received: 106
Lydia
Lowtech Shrimps nano 30l
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...-lowtech-nano-shrimp
Lowtech Vision 180l Community
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...-lowtech-vision-180l
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Gonefishy (Brian oneill)
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 667
- Thank you received: 148
Atta boys Ian & Ian, love your answers!
Me too! Floppy/Batman, the great thing is that if you don't like it, you don't have to read it...I think this is a super forum and I have learnt a tonne from all the members here. If reading, learning, sharing, supporting, being critical, getting feedback, debating, disagreeing, sourcing, swapping, buying, gifting doesn't float your boat or isn't sufficient for you I don't know what your expectations are. These are all characteristics of this forum in my experience......
So what are you hoping to get from your 'ideal' forum?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Esoxluciouss (denis goulding)
- Offline
- Senior Member
-
- Posts: 384
- Thank you received: 83
So in my own humble opinion that is what forums are about. Meeting like minded folk and discussing topics within a field they enjoy . As regards heated discussions and slagging of retailers . Well everyone has their own opinions and it is a free country. But most posts are informative. I for one have learnt lots and made new friends since I joined back in Jan. So well done all...
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- davey_c (dave clarke)
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 922
- Thank you received: 163

Below tank is for sale
my plywood tank build.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#137768
Please Log in to join the conversation.