Betsy Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 Hi friends!! I'm in the market for a fish keeping journal for my tank(s)...I have tried multiple apps, but they really aren't doing it for me. I like having a physical book to write in...just because it's so easy to access (IMO). If you were to create a journal to keep track of a tank...or maybe all of your tanks...what would it look like? What would HAVE to be in it to make it useful to you? For me, I'd definitely want: Page(s) for livestock (with a spot for date and number added, water requirements, a way to keep track of losses, and maybe a spot for a sketch or a photo) Page(s) for plants (similar to livestock pages) Monthly/yearly budget pages to keep track of spending (slash...do I really want to know?) Weekly spreads for water stats and maintenance notes What would your journal look like? 🤓 What things would you want to keep track of? 🤔 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 47 minutes ago, Betsy said: Hi friends!! I'm in the market for a fish keeping journal for my tank(s)...I have tried multiple apps, but they really aren't doing it for me. I like having a physical book to write in...just because it's so easy to access (IMO). If you were to create a journal to keep track of a tank...or maybe all of your tanks...what would it look like? What would HAVE to be in it to make it useful to you? For me, I'd definitely want: Page(s) for livestock (with a spot for date and number added, water requirements, a way to keep track of losses, and maybe a spot for a sketch or a photo) Page(s) for plants (similar to livestock pages) Monthly/yearly budget pages to keep track of spending (slash...do I really want to know?) Weekly spreads for water stats and maintenance notes What would your journal look like? 🤓 What things would you want to keep track of? 🤔 Great question / suggestion. If there was an aquarist’s Moleskine, I’d be buying them in bulk! We have made print outs for our tanks. We end up scribbling all over the margins 😂 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 @Fish Folk - that's really neat!!! I feel like the perfect tank journal would need to work for the person who has one tank AND the person that has several tanks! I really like your formatting!!! And, how you've got an at-a-glance for all of your tanks for the week! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmedByFish Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I just do a computer folder with documents, but it might give you ideas. Each animal species gets a document. I record what parameters they need, when I bought the first one(s), and dates of events like births, injuries, or tank transfers. One document is for plant needs and what tanks they seem to do best in, though that will likely become a species-per-document thing like the animals. The document I'm on most often is an ongoing list for all tanks. Each tank's list starts with water parameters, then I add any other variables: Date 55 gallon ammonia nitrite nitrate maybe temp, GH, kH, etc Things like: Added bacteria. Turned heater down 2 degrees. Added hornwort. 20 gallon same list as above - total of 7 bodies of water right now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 3 minutes ago, CalmedByFish said: Each animal species gets a document. I record what parameters they need, when I bought the first one(s), and dates of events like births, injuries, or tank transfers. One document is for plant needs and what tanks they seem to do best in, though that will likely become a species-per-document thing like the animals. I love the idea of keeping track of the parameters that livestock needs!! Especially because of my last fiasco with the rasboras...I'd love to have a section for plants and for fish like what you're describing here! A page per plant or per animal varietal is solidly good! And, births/injuries/tank transfers is brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.K.Luterman Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I've been thinking of putting together a binder to use as a journal; that way I can add/remove pages as needed and organize sections with little tabs. Each tank would get a tabbed section. Each entry would be water parameters and any changes/notes, like what CalmedByFish described. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmedByFish Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 Just now, Betsy said: I love the idea of keeping track of the parameters that livestock needs!! I'm glad my ideas are helpful. On the one document where I keep a list of dates with parameters, I pooled a range of what parameters are safe for ALL the critters at the top. I try to keep all tanks within those boundaries in case I have an emergency and need to plop critters in whatever random water is closest. Maybe your fish-keeping is more complex, but for someone who tries to stick with hardy animals and plants, that works. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, H.K.Luterman said: I've been thinking of putting together a binder to use as a journal; that way I can add/remove pages as needed and organize sections with little tabs. Each tank would get a tabbed section. Each entry would be water parameters and any changes/notes, like what CalmedByFish described. I LOVE this idea! I feel like some fish keepers would love a tab per tank (Like you and me! I am definitely that person, too!!), and some people might like an at-a-glance sheet for the week! I'd definitely do a tab for plants and a tab for animals...and a tab for expenses (even though I reallyyyy don't want to know, haha!). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 4 minutes ago, CalmedByFish said: On the one document where I keep a list of dates with parameters, I pooled a range of what parameters are safe for ALL the critters at the top. I try to keep all tanks within those boundaries in case I have an emergency and need to plop critters in whatever random water is closest. I think that is extremely important...it'd be nice to have a sheet for each species...and then have an at-a-glance sheet for all species that includes the parameters of their home tank. Sooo many good ideas!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorydorasEthan Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 2 hours ago, Betsy said: Hi friends!! I'm in the market for a fish keeping journal for my tank(s)...I have tried multiple apps, but they really aren't doing it for me. I like having a physical book to write in...just because it's so easy to access (IMO). If you were to create a journal to keep track of a tank...or maybe all of your tanks...what would it look like? What would HAVE to be in it to make it useful to you? For me, I'd definitely want: Page(s) for livestock (with a spot for date and number added, water requirements, a way to keep track of losses, and maybe a spot for a sketch or a photo) Page(s) for plants (similar to livestock pages) Monthly/yearly budget pages to keep track of spending (slash...do I really want to know?) Weekly spreads for water stats and maintenance notes What would your journal look like? 🤓 What things would you want to keep track of? 🤔 Great idea! I need to start one ASAP! Mine would look similar to yours, though I think it would work better for me on a computer, as I am pretty disorganized when it comes to papers! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Hello everyone, I messaged @Betsy about possibly creating an excel sheet for an aquarium journal we can create and use for our aquariums. One that can be easily printed and used in a binder. We discussed various options like for people with many tanks or people that like to see a page for one aquarium at a time. I put something together really quickly just to gather some suggestions for it. This is just a rough draft so make all the comments you would like. This rough draft is for people that like to track one aquarium at a time on a sheet. I hope the quality is decent. We would need to find a way to be able to share this document as well. Let me know what you guys think! 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 For a tank per tab binder, I think a tank overview sheet first would be nice, with the weekly spreads repeating after that! (All links lead to a PDF file in my Google Drive...y'all are welcomed to use if you like it!) (Please let me know if this isn't allowed!) Here's what I was thinking for a weekly spread, kind of thing: Hope someone finds this useful/helpful!! 🤓👍 This is version 1...first attempt! So, feel free to feedback if you want to! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 @Betsyand @Isaac Myou guys are go getters! I too have been playing around with the best option for journaling. A friend bought me a printed journal that I like a bit but really just like writing in a steno notebook until I need to look up stuff. I have stacks of papers that I desperately need to organize in a binder BUT then there a fish to watch or plants to fuss with, videos to watch, forums and articles to read..... the expenses is a good idea then I know how much I have yet to spend. here is a picture a journal page for more ideas 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 Hello everyone, @Betsy and I have been working on a journal for our aquariums. We want to share it with everyone here on the forum as we think it can be a helpful tool for people to keep track of their aquariums. We are not experts nor do we claim to be so use the aquarium log at your own discretion. We decided to use Google Sheets as it allows people to keep the journal on their phone and it allows us to make charts. Although, we may come up with a pdf that can be printed for those that prefer that method. This is the first iteration of the aquarium log so any comments and suggestions are more than welcome(especially if someone is experiencing an error). We have come up with a basic aquarium log that is not specific to a planted tank. It is more basic and general. Basic Aquarium Log: -Tap water & local fish store water parameters section -Livestock information section -Water parameters (ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, gh, kh, temperature) and water changes. The cells are interactive and will change color as per the table legend. -Charts for water parameters (Ammonia, Nitrite, & Nitrate chart, ph, gh, & chart, temperature chart) We also have an aquarium log that is for planted aquariums. It is the same as the basic aquarium log except it has a section for plant information and an Easy Green calculator(the Easy Green calculator was created by us as a general tool for hobbyists. It is important to note that Aquarium Co-Op has not reviewed it for accuracy). The aquarium logs can be downloaded here: Basic Aquarium Log Planted Aquarium Log We hope you all find this helpful! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy_fishguy Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 This is a really cool resource, I'm keen to give it a crack. Out of interest, do you follow this with a great routine or just here-or there when you feel compelled. Again, thanks, this looks so cool 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 6 hours ago, Isaac M said: @Betsy and I have been working on a journal for our aquariums. @Isaac M brought all the magic - y'all should check out the charts on the tabs! He did an amazing job! 🤓👍 If you're a beginner cycling your tank for the first time, or someone trying to keep track of a particular stat, the Basic Aquarium Log is MONEY! And the Planted Log is a great way to keep all of your information in one place (plus, it's got all of the same charts as the Basic!)! Even if you don't take measurements every day, both sheets are really useful. Isaac knocked it out of the park! We'll have to find that nitrogen cycling chart that @Daniel has posted before and keep the basic log link close by for resources to give to our cyclers!! 🚲🚲🚲 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 12 minutes ago, Betsy said: @Isaac M brought all the magic - y'all should check out the charts on the tabs! He did an amazing job! 🤓👍 If you're a beginner cycling your tank for the first time, or someone trying to keep track of a particular stat, the Basic Aquarium Log is MONEY! And the Planted Log is a great way to keep all of your information in one place (plus, it's got all of the same charts as the Basic!)! Even if you don't take measurements every day, both sheets are really useful. Isaac knocked it out of the park! We'll have to find that nitrogen cycling chart that @Daniel has posted before and keep the basic log link close by for resources to give to our cyclers!! 🚲🚲🚲 I'll find that and repost it here. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 @Jeremy_fishguy well this is something that we recently made so we have not been using it for very long. However, this journal is something I would recommend be used at bare minimum when setting up the aquarium and every time you test your water whether that be daily (if doing a fish-in cycle), weekly, every 2 weeks, monthly, etc. A lot of the ideas we had for this was based off of common errors we see in fish keeping and we hope this can help with setting up & sustaining an aquarium with less mistakes. For instance, we have a research and quarantine process section for fish, we have a section for researching plants(even just to make sure that it is an aquatic plant). We also have areas for tap water testing, local fish store water parameters and charting your own parameters. This will help with acclimating your fish (or just choosing which store best suits your water), new tank syndrome (cycling) and old tank syndrome (too much minerals in water or crashing ph & kh). I have yet to see the nitrogen cycling chart @Daniel has posted before, I am very interested in this! Haha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiapeach88 Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 This is amazing I can’t love this enough I was drawing sad charts in my notebook this is soooo going too get printed and placed in binder per tank. Thanks for all the hard work y’all. @Isaac M& @Betsy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 This is AMAZING!! Thank you both so much for putting this together! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarina Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 I don't know if others will find this useful, but I reviewed the most popular record keeping apps on my blog a while back. I use my phone for pretty much everything these days, so finding the best record keeping app was pretty important to me. Hope it helps someone else out! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 @Hobbit glad you like it! Please let us know if you have any recommendations so we can update it over time. @Nirvanaquatics thank you for providing that link! The aquarium log we made can be used on your phone as well using the google sheets app. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 (edited) I just use TextEdit as sort of an ongoing blog for myself including photo's. Change the colour of the fonts for things for easier reading. Yellow for water changes, pink for fish, red for ferts etc. Edited May 29, 2021 by Trish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) Well I have to admit, I've never used a journal like this before, but I think its time we change that. I love all of the features. And how when I type in my GH it transfers to my GH (dGh) and it tells me when I should do a waterchange, etc. Also I love the easy green calculator, great Idea! Everything about it is genuis! Question, how do I know my LFS water parameters? just test the water that comes in the bags? Is it just me or does the Amonia, Nitrite, Nitrate Chart as well a the Temperture Chart says "no data"? Edited May 30, 2021 by James Black 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Hi @James Black, I am glad you like it! As far as the LFS parameters, usually you can just ask them and they can tell you. I have never tested the water in the bag but I guess that could work too if thats your only option haha The easy green calculator is not working? The nutrients in ppm are not changing when you change the tank size and/or amount of pumps? Do you have it on your drive already or no? Are you using it on your phone or on your computer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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