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
Heiko Bleher Visits Maxi Zoo
- duzzy1 (Martin Kennedy)
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- duzzy1 (Martin Kennedy)
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Yeah, the Venue is in Leopardstown, it was going to be in Finglas but it worked/works out better for all involved to have it in Leopardstown...
Don't worry Adrian, it's just the venue that has changed, I'll still be doing most of the work !!!

Mark, Brian and Myself will be assisting Heiko, I can't wait, it sounds like it'll be very interesting...
Heiko will be speaking about Biotopes, the importance of Biotopes etc. etc. with different Biotope Aquariums set up.
There will also be a presentation on some of His many expeditions etc. etc., I'm particularly looking forward to this...
Plus goodie Bags and Guest speakers etc. etc.
I'll add more info as I get it.
at the moment I'm busy soaking diffent woods, washing substrates etc. etc. on top of My exsisting work load

hahaha
I look forward to seeing everyone there, should be cool


cheers
Des
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- igmillichip (ian millichip)
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- JohnH (John)
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Adrian, they probably moved the venue to make sure that the 2 loons (that Ian and Justine pair
) who live just down then road will come alone without moaning about toll-bridge charges.
On a slightly more serious note, I know that Des has put a lot of work into setting up this event and would urge as many of you who are free on June 15 to attend.
For those who might not be aware of it Heiko Bleher is a world-famous luminary in today's Fishkeeping world.
The whole thing promises to be a really interesting talk, featuring the afore-mentioned Mr. Bleher plus others.
Des has promised to keep us up-to-date with further information as it becomes available so we should all make an effort to get to this - I'm sure it will be a great success, as was the Seahorse Aquariums event recently at The Red Cow.
I'll be hoping to attend - anyone want to add to the 'attendance' list?
John
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We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.
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"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."
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and, it is people like Heiko Bleher who have brouhgt us so many fish for us to enjoy in the fish-keeping world.
I hope to see more and more of these events in the future.
ian
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(Does that qualify me for a 'goodie bag', Des?)



John
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- bart (Bart Korfanty)
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I look forward to seeing everyone on the 15th
As John mentioned, this event is totally free and all are more than welcome...
should be a cool day, Heiko is really keen to meet and chat with all present.
It should prove to be a very casual meet and greet type thing with plenty to keep us all entertained.

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Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...
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Not long to go now
only 10 days, that's mad, I can't wait

It's shaping up to be a cool day with plenty happening to keep us all entertained, loads of special offers on, a €100 voucher to be won by somebody on the the day, goodie bags etc. etc.
Register any time between now and then to be in for the chance to win the voucher amoung other things.
I'm just waiting for confirmation on the list of suggested offers for the day but suffice to say they will be very good and plentyful...
I'll add the list of special offers as soon as I can, watch this space...
I look forward to a cool day for all and also look forward to yapping to everyone

don't forget to register, details found on the MaxiZoo Website or MaxiZoo Facebook Page...
Des
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- sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
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Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild
currently 25 tanks, and breeding is the aim of everything i keep
location:Limerick
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I know there will be some of you travelling a fair distance to get to the Heiko Bleher Event, so I said I'd put up a plan/ time table for the day...
just so everyone knows the plan, it will be held in the MaxiZoo Leopardstown store, it starts at 11:00am
11:00 - 12:00
this will give People time to register. (Anyone can also register any time between now and then)
the first 100 people to register will get a goodie bag and will also be entered into a raffle for a €100 voucher...
12:00 - 12:30
Meet and Greet
This is Your chance to have a Yap with Heiko or get a few nice Photos taken etc. etc.
This should be cool, I know Heiko is looking forward to meeting everybody.
12:30 - 2:00
Heikos first Presentation
Wild Fish Catching Expeditions & Recent Findings.
This should be very interesting, can't wait, should be cool...
2:00 - 2:15
15 minute Break...
2:15 - 3:15
Biotope Demonstration
Heiko will be setting up a Biotope Aquarium

3:15 - 3:30
15 minute Break...
3:30 - 4:15
Discus Presentation
As requested

4:15 - 5:00
Questions & Answers
another chance to have a Yap with Heiko or ask any questions that You might have...
...and that's it, that's the plan for the day, hope this helps & I look forward to seeing You all there...
Des
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- duzzy1 (Martin Kennedy)
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3:30 - 4:15
Discus Presentation
As requested![]()
Discus?
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"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."
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3:30 - 4:15
Discus Presentation
As requested![]()
Discus?
Sorry John
maybe that's a little vague
the Discus presentation wasn't originally in the plan for the day but I had a few people ask Me if He was speaking about Discus, so I passed on the request and it was added to the plan for the day...
Des
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- JohnH (John)
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From 11 til 5??? I'm going to need a packed lunch and somewhere to have a nap!
At least you're within walking distance - you'll be able to pop home for a bit of lunch and forty winks...
John
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"Sorry John
maybe that's a little vague
the Discus presentation wasn't originally in the plan for the day but I had a few people ask Me if He was speaking about Discus, so I passed on the request and it was added to the plan for the day...
Des"
I just thought that a man like that would have had so many more worthwhile things to talk about, that was all.
John
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Only 4 days to go
can't wait

...just said I'd stick up a reminder of the Time Table for the Heiko Event on the 15th
Cheers
Des
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- Melander (Andreas Melander)
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I was helping to put the Goodie Bags together last night, a decent enough couple of freebies in there.
We also managed to secure 30 free hard back planting guide books from Dennerle, cool book full of nice aquascapes with step by step instructions on how to set them up etc. etc.
I was looking through it last night, cool book, definitely worth having.
We thought that it would be fair to give the books to the first 30 people to show up on the day...
So, the first 100 to arrive get goodie bags & are entered into the draw for the €100 voucher.
the first 30 to arrive will get the Dennerle books + goodie bags & are entered into the draw for the €100 voucher...
looking forward to seeing everybody, it's shaping up to be a day to remember...
cheers
Des
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- derek (Derek Doyle)
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30 tanks specialise in african cichlids, angelfish and various catfish
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- sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
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Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild
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I hope to be there des. I always enjoy these type of presentations.
cheers Derek
I hope You can make it, it'd great to see You there.
Should be a cool day...

Des
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