Salam
Fish Herder
Exactly one year ago I got my first fish after cycling the tank for a grand total of five days 
I knew nothing, LFS told me nothing and I just chucked in random fish into a tiny tank following their 'advice'.
I am actually a little embarrassed, but this was my first tank 12th August 2011
Please bear in mind that it was my son's 2nd birthday present, so that's my excuse for going very childish.
The tank was heavily overstocked without cycling. In total at one point I had 6 tetras (3 neons 3 don't know), 2 dwarf frogs and 3 cories. Needles to say, bar one cory, who is still with me now, they all died one after the other
My partner was about to give up fish keeping but I thought we should give it one more go. I still didn't really understand cycling or stocking at that point. I got a few platies and guppies after the wipe out and with my first platy pregnancy I started looking for help and I came across this forum. This was in March this year. Can you believe it? Feels like I've been here forever
So, after joining I realized how many things I was doing wrong. I got a cheap tank on ebay which was 140 litres and transferred the fish (platies, guppies and cory) to that with mature media. And then I started reading and learning, getting enthusiastic about the hobby. Seeing the fish in the bigger tank I realized how much happier they were and that I was much happier with them. It wasn't a chore, but enjoyment. I also learnt so much about all kinds of fish here that I wanted more, more, more.
There was no stopping me
I turned into that woman that tells off a fish shop for giving wrong advice and I educate people whenever I can. I now have nine tanks fully running and set up. Some of them I'm 100% happy with, others will still have changes here and there.
I'll go from smallest to biggest, those are my current set ups. There were a few others in between, but the Rios have replaced them.
The original tank now houses a nice breeding colony of red cherry shrimp. I'm actually going to change this soon again, and make it more of a fun tank for my son, as he desperately wants a skull in it. So will go childish and bonkers on that soon, but leave some plants for the shrimps.
My dwarf puffer tank which I'm experimenting with plants at the moment as it's only low lit. So again, will have some tweaks in the next months. Spot the puffer
My betta tank which was my birthday present. Love this guy so much
I had lighting problems not long ago and my plants melted, need to get more back in soon now that the problem is sorted so this will also be a bit fuller planting wise soon.
My kribensis tank. This was originally a betta sorority, but after an unknown parasite wipe out I chucked the towel and decided to give breeding a go. As you can see, my kribs are already getting ready, they have dug all the sand out of the coconut today and she is inside now and he is guarding it. Should have fry in the next days and that only after two weeks of having them!
Next there is my shelldweller tank housing multis and dickfeldi. It's in the bedroom and calming to watch in the mornings / before bedtime. It has much more shells now, this is an older picture, sorry didn't take one today.
My newest addition, which set up only because I have fallen in love with that piece of wood and because I had the Fluval 125 sitting upstairs empty in the spare room. See how addicted I am? I got that tank because it was cheap and it could come handy one day At the moment there are only cories, but after my holiday, I am going to get a pair of Sajicas as my centrepiece fish. Oh no, just realized that the rock in the middle is still there. It will go, was just trying out something. The sajicas will get something like a terracotta pot or so for breeding.
And now obviously my biggest pride and joys. To those who are following my journal, you will know them.
The Rio 125 is my try at Iwagumi without Co2. There is still a long way to go until the moss will cover the bottom, but I'll get there.
My biggest success so far is my Rio 180. I'm in love with this tank and could watch the fish and scape for hours.
And the biggest, my Vision 260 which will be upgraded to a Rio 400 soon (my 99 pence bargain
) which is my malawi tank. I absolutely adore them. They follow my every move, and as soon as I go close to the tank it's party time. Can't wait to give them their bigger home. My first one is already pregnant and close to spitting. Once the Rio 400 is set up there will be a 3ft breeder tank beneath in the cupboard, and I can't wait to watch the fry grow.
I hope you enjoyed my little journey. One year ago, I can't believe what I started with and what I got now. MTS big time!!!
I knew nothing, LFS told me nothing and I just chucked in random fish into a tiny tank following their 'advice'. I am actually a little embarrassed, but this was my first tank 12th August 2011
Please bear in mind that it was my son's 2nd birthday present, so that's my excuse for going very childish.
The tank was heavily overstocked without cycling. In total at one point I had 6 tetras (3 neons 3 don't know), 2 dwarf frogs and 3 cories. Needles to say, bar one cory, who is still with me now, they all died one after the other
My partner was about to give up fish keeping but I thought we should give it one more go. I still didn't really understand cycling or stocking at that point. I got a few platies and guppies after the wipe out and with my first platy pregnancy I started looking for help and I came across this forum. This was in March this year. Can you believe it? Feels like I've been here forever
So, after joining I realized how many things I was doing wrong. I got a cheap tank on ebay which was 140 litres and transferred the fish (platies, guppies and cory) to that with mature media. And then I started reading and learning, getting enthusiastic about the hobby. Seeing the fish in the bigger tank I realized how much happier they were and that I was much happier with them. It wasn't a chore, but enjoyment. I also learnt so much about all kinds of fish here that I wanted more, more, more.
There was no stopping me
I turned into that woman that tells off a fish shop for giving wrong advice and I educate people whenever I can. I now have nine tanks fully running and set up. Some of them I'm 100% happy with, others will still have changes here and there. I'll go from smallest to biggest, those are my current set ups. There were a few others in between, but the Rios have replaced them.
The original tank now houses a nice breeding colony of red cherry shrimp. I'm actually going to change this soon again, and make it more of a fun tank for my son, as he desperately wants a skull in it. So will go childish and bonkers on that soon, but leave some plants for the shrimps.
My dwarf puffer tank which I'm experimenting with plants at the moment as it's only low lit. So again, will have some tweaks in the next months. Spot the puffer
My betta tank which was my birthday present. Love this guy so much
I had lighting problems not long ago and my plants melted, need to get more back in soon now that the problem is sorted so this will also be a bit fuller planting wise soon.
My kribensis tank. This was originally a betta sorority, but after an unknown parasite wipe out I chucked the towel and decided to give breeding a go. As you can see, my kribs are already getting ready, they have dug all the sand out of the coconut today and she is inside now and he is guarding it. Should have fry in the next days and that only after two weeks of having them!
Next there is my shelldweller tank housing multis and dickfeldi. It's in the bedroom and calming to watch in the mornings / before bedtime. It has much more shells now, this is an older picture, sorry didn't take one today.
My newest addition, which set up only because I have fallen in love with that piece of wood and because I had the Fluval 125 sitting upstairs empty in the spare room. See how addicted I am? I got that tank because it was cheap and it could come handy one day
At the moment there are only cories, but after my holiday, I am going to get a pair of Sajicas as my centrepiece fish. Oh no, just realized that the rock in the middle is still there. It will go, was just trying out something. The sajicas will get something like a terracotta pot or so for breeding.
And now obviously my biggest pride and joys. To those who are following my journal, you will know them.
The Rio 125 is my try at Iwagumi without Co2. There is still a long way to go until the moss will cover the bottom, but I'll get there.
My biggest success so far is my Rio 180. I'm in love with this tank and could watch the fish and scape for hours.
And the biggest, my Vision 260 which will be upgraded to a Rio 400 soon (my 99 pence bargain
) which is my malawi tank. I absolutely adore them. They follow my every move, and as soon as I go close to the tank it's party time. Can't wait to give them their bigger home. My first one is already pregnant and close to spitting. Once the Rio 400 is set up there will be a 3ft breeder tank beneath in the cupboard, and I can't wait to watch the fry grow.
I hope you enjoyed my little journey. One year ago, I can't believe what I started with and what I got now. MTS big time!!!
I was so surprised getting a 75 gallon, I expected it to be huge but once its up it doesn't look that big and you can't really put as much as you thought in it! Haha, I need more.. At least everyone on here can relate.
