Hi from an unseasonably warm and sunny Cambridge in the UK.

[Artyharry]

Hi all,

I’m so pleased I’ve found you and I had a lovely welcome from Al when I was struggling with registration.

I’ve kept tropical fish for about three years but got my dream Discus mixed community tank set up about four months ago. It’s going ok so far but a steep learning curve and I currently have one poorly fish, which I’ve started a thread for under the Sickness topic. So I have a 70l mixed tropicals tank and a 360l Discus/tetras/rams/pleco/flying foxes tank in my kitchen and look after them alongside my Standard Poodle, Greyhound, two teenagers and ‘long suffering not into fish at all’ husband!

My 17 year old son works at our local aquarium shop, which is very handy (his discount is very nice too!) but we’re still very much novices with the Discus, so apologies in advance for the fact that I am unlikely have any advice to offer anyone else, but will more likely have questions.

I look forward to becoming a member of your community. 124975124976124977124978124979

[jeep]

Welcome!! As far as being one of the community, you already are!

That's a really nice tank, and you did a great job of avoiding a gravel bottom during your learning curve.

Ask anything you are curious about. That's why we are here!!

[Artyharry]

124980Thanks Jeep! I did have a beautiful fine white sand substrate but it was a nightmare to keep clean and when one of my fish started showing signs of stress or sickness, still not sure which, I got rid of it. It’s made the water changes (which I have to use buckets and kettles for) much, much easier. I miss the look but I want to keep my fish as healthy as possible.

[LizStreithorst]

I think that it looked fine BB. You should try gluing some Anubias and Java Moss to that beautiful piece of drift wood if you want a more natural look. You could also plant a Rosette Sword in a pot and put it in. The Rosettes dont grow tall and spread like the other swords.

Oops. I forgot to welcome you. Welcome!

[Artyharry]

I think that it looked fine BB. You should try gluing some Anubias and Java Moss to that beautiful piece of drift wood if you want a more natural look. You could also plant a Rosette Sword in a pot and put it in. The Rosettes dont grow tall and spread like the other swords.

Oops. I forgot to welcome you. Welcome!

That sounds beautiful Mama Bear but I’m a plastics and silks gal, all the way! I have such a great habit of killing plants in my house and garden that I’m loathe to go anywhere near the real thing, in my aquariums. When the sand was in, most people didn’t realise the plants are artificial. I’m happy with artificial even though the bases look a bit dodgy now. If I ever turn to real, I’ll try your suggestions. They sound like they come from someone who really knows her aesthetics. Thank you. The manzanita wood was a real find. Blooming expensive but the nicest piece I’ve seen. The plecs are doing a fine job of stripping the bark in places and it looks stunning now with the lighter wood showing through. Hard to see in the photos. I also love my Frodo stone. I’m v pleased with my aquarium. The other belonged to my son and has a huge ship in it, which isn’t to my taste but my shrimp and snails like it, so it stays. What a fabulous hobby. And thank you for the welcome!

[LizStreithorst]

That's why I avoided for so long, but I tried some of the easy low light plants in a couple of aquariums and they have reproduced to the point where I have them to give away. Just keep that in mind if you decide you want a different look at some point.

[Mando]

Welcome, Arty!

I love your tank, your fish, and your dogs :). What a lovely environment to be in. I love being surrounded by animals, sometimes more than humans. lol

[Pudmuppy]

Welcome! Also a fellow greyhound owner - both my girls are black too - awesome dogs!

[Artyharry]

Welcome, Arty!

I love your tank, your fish, and your dogs :). What a lovely environment to be in. I love being surrounded by animals, sometimes more than humans. lol

Thank you Mando! And I totally agree! :-)

[Artyharry]

Welcome! Also a fellow greyhound owner - both my girls are black too - awesome dogs!

Thank you for saying hi! Yay for fab dogs! Are yours ex racers? We have specialist rehoming centres in the UK for the black ex racers as they are difficult to rehome. Fenne is a beautiful girl but a nightmare with other dogs, or anything fluffy for that matter, including women’s fur hats and gloves! :-D

[Pudmuppy]

Both of mine are exracers, although one never even made it to the track as she was tiny at 45lbs! Younger one has a lot of race winners in her lineage, but when she runs... it's like a clothes horse crossed with a bear, she lopes and stumbles and throws her front legs up as though cheerleading, while running only on her hind legs... hilarious to see and it gave her a warm spot on my sofa at a young age. The black ones are harder to home here too, but they are my favourite! My older girl doesn't care about chasing anything, but the younger one has proven that she is a true hunter on more than one occasion! How is your sick Discus doing?