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Thread: Intro to Me

  1. #1
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    Greg Biggiani

    Default Intro to Me

    Hello all,

    For those who have never seen my fish or fishroom before, welcome! For those who have seen my stuff before, thanks for keeping tabs on me!

    A little bit about myself:

    I am 23 years old and am fresh out of college with a B.S. in Neuroscience from Lafayette College where I also played D1 college soccer for four years. While at Lafayette I kept myself very busy with a variety of activities including fish keeping and fishing oddly enough.... which are my two great passions.

    During my freshman year of college my discus obsession began and has culminated into what I have today as far as my discus and discus room goes. At Lafayette I met a cichlid legend by the name of Wayne Leibel, who is a dear friend and mentor to this day as we still talk very often. He bought me my first wilds upon graduation which was a group of 5 wild red spotted greens. With Wayne I performed 3 semesters of research on various danio species and their behaviors.

    I also got the opportunity to be the first ever student be be given the title of Aquatic Specialist to the Biology Department. With this I was allowed to build a 150gallon planted aquarium in which I put discus. I was also a lab assistant for Developmental Biology for three years through which I basically was given a lab and did tons of really cool aquarium things as I was given almost free reign and a lot of room to add about 20 tanks, including my first ever attempt at a saltwater reef tank which still persists to this day.

    At Lafayette I was able to breed a bunch of fish including wild convicts, celestial pearl danios, zebra danios, neon tetras, glowlight tetras, white clouds, and tiger barbs.

    Another fun fact was that I was hired by the college to design and build a jellyfish tank for the Trenton State Museum which was on display for several months. I even build a small 10gallon jellyfish tank which I kept in my dorm room which was all the rage to watch whilst drinking adult sodas at our parties.

    I am an avid fisherman, perhaps on par with my discus obsession so if anyone wants to talk fishing and discus I am your guy!

    I currently work at Penn Neurosurgery where I do clinical research... Penn being University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. While I work I am studying to get into medical school and I also volunteer coach at my high school when I have time.

    I recently worked with my father in constructing a discus fish room which currently contains a 200gal, 6 55gals, and 4 20gals. I also have 4 55gal drums equipped for again water.

    Most of my fish are from Hans whom I visit to hand pick my fish down in Maryland. I do have several Lawrence Soon, Tony Tank, and Dexter Chung discus as well from various importers here in the States

    My goal with discus is to produce high quality red spotted varieties of discus using my leopard snakeskins, leopards with ring gene, face spotted eruption, and albino eruption. I have my 5 wild RSGs that I would like to utilize in this endeavor as well.

    I currently am selling some of my fry which is going pretty well and is helping me pay for my hobby. It is very rewarding to breed, raise, and sell discus as well as watch your selected few keepers from your group of fry to become nice and big adults.

    Long story short, I'm glad to be where I am at with discus at this point and I thank you all for taking the time to hear my story! I will be posting lots of stuff very soon so stay tuned and please feel free to comment or ask questions about anything I am doing... I enjoy talking with all of you!

    Ps... check out my instagram @ southjerseydiscus to see some cool things I've posted in the last several months!
    Last edited by GVB; 12-07-2016 at 12:59 AM.

  2. #2
    Registered Member Phillydubs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Really impressive my friend...!

  3. #3
    Registered Member two utes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Hi Greg.
    That's an awesome resume. I look forward to see what you come up with your Red Spotted varieties. Discus and fishing are two of my favorite things. I'd be interested to hear what type of fishing you're into.
    Good luck achieving your goals on all fronts.
    Last edited by two utes; 12-07-2016 at 02:54 AM.
    We're here for a good time...not a long time

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Quote Originally Posted by two utes View Post
    Hi Greg.
    That's an awesome resume. I look forward to see what you come up with your Red Spotted varieties. Discus and fishing are two of my favorite things. I'd be interested to hear what type of fishing your into.
    Good luck achieving your goals on all fronts.
    Thank you very much!!

    As far as fishing goes... I do a bunch of things. I love to fly fish. I have fished many areas of Pennsylvania and New York, with my two favorite spots being the West Branch of the Delaware and Bushkill Creek, which ran literally right next to my college. I fish at my summer home in the Thousand Islands in upstate NY for northern pike, walleye, perch, bass, etc. I go ice fishing for a few days in March in the 1000 Islands as well which is always fun. I also fish at our "shore" house down by Ocean City / Atlantic City NJ for flounder, striped bass, bluefish, etc. In January I make a trip down to Islamorada with my dad and friends for a week where we rent a boat and get guided trips for snapper, grouper, sailfish, tuna, barracuda, redfish, drum, tiggerfish, sheepshead, etc etc.

  5. #5
    Registered Member two utes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GVB View Post
    Thank you very much!!

    As far as fishing goes... I do a bunch of things. I love to fly fish. I have fished many areas of Pennsylvania and New York, with my two favorite spots being the West Branch of the Delaware and Bushkill Creek, which ran literally right next to my college. I fish at my summer home in the Thousand Islands in upstate NY for northern pike, walleye, perch, bass, etc. I go ice fishing for a few days in March in the 1000 Islands as well which is always fun. I also fish at our "shore" house down by Ocean City / Atlantic City NJ for flounder, striped bass, bluefish, etc. In January I make a trip down to Islamorada with my dad and friends for a week where we rent a boat and get guided trips for snapper, grouper, sailfish, tuna, barracuda, redfish, drum, tiggerfish, sheepshead, etc etc.
    Wow! That's awesome! Especially Islamorada. Its on my bucket list of places l want to fish.
    I enjoy all types of fishing but my favorite fish to target are Bill fish. I'm lucky to be able to fish Cairns in Queensland Australia every year where we target 1000lb plus Black Marlin.
    We're here for a good time...not a long time

  6. #6
    Registered Member farebox's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Welcome to SD, man you over qualified for this position. Just kidding, you can be great help to all us members here with your unique background with the aquarium hobby. Peace out and have a nice day...

  7. #7
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    Greg Biggiani

    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Quote Originally Posted by two utes View Post
    Wow! That's awesome! Especially Islamorada. Its on my bucket list of places l want to fish.
    I enjoy all types of fishing but my favorite fish to target are Bill fish. I'm lucky to be able to fish Cairns in Queensland Australia every year where we target 1000lb plus Black Marlin.
    Well I've always wanted to catch a marlin... I'd definitely be interested in hearing more about Cairns as I've never heard of it... but I'm always looking for new places to target fish!

  8. #8
    Registered Member two utes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GVB View Post
    I'd definitely be interested in hearing more about Cairns as I've never heard of it... but I'm always looking for new places to target fish!
    Cairns is on the east coast of Australia, near the tip. It is known to be the Black Marlin Fishing capitol of the world. More 1000lb plus marlin get caught and released there during the 3 month season than any where else in the world combined.
    We catch a variety of Bill fish along our east and west coast of Australia. Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Short Bill Spearfish, and Broadbill (swordfish).
    I started a thread 'Do you like Fishing' Awhile back. Please check it out and contribute some of your fishing stories and picture there PLEASE! I'd really like to hear more of what you get up to

    http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...55#post1242355
    We're here for a good time...not a long time

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Quote Originally Posted by two utes View Post
    Cairns is on the east coast of Australia, near the tip. It is known to be the Black Marlin Fishing capitol of the world. More 1000lb plus marlin get caught and released there during the 3 month season than any where else in the world combined.
    We catch a variety of Bill fish along our east and west coast of Australia. Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Short Bill Spearfish, and Broadbill (swordfish).
    I started a thread 'Do you like Fishing' Awhile back. Please check it out and contribute some of your fishing stories and picture there PLEASE! I'd really like to hear more of what you get up to

    http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...55#post1242355
    I'll definitely have to check that thread and Black Marlin Capitol of the World out.... I've caught a 7ft sailfish in Islamorada but a marlin is on my to do list... and a swordfish as well lol. Australia has been on my radar for some time now and I have some time in the next year to do some trips that I wont be able to have time for in the future. My sister just got back from a teaching trip to Figi which as I understand is fairly close to Australia and she said it was amazing.... so now I have an excuse to convince my father to take a trip out with me!

  10. #10
    Registered Member two utes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GVB View Post
    I'll definitely have to check that thread and Black Marlin Capitol of the World out.... I've caught a 7ft sailfish in Islamorada but a marlin is on my to do list... and a swordfish as well lol. Australia has been on my radar for some time now and I have some time in the next year to do some trips that I wont be able to have time for in the future. My sister just got back from a teaching trip to Figi which as I understand is fairly close to Australia and she said it was amazing.... so now I have an excuse to convince my father to take a trip out with me!
    Glad to hear Australia is on your mind. If you're coming for heavy tackle marlin fishing plan for around September through till end November. Best time early November imo.

    You will love it. I'm planning a trip to Fiji next year. l believe marlin season is around mid year, so that's what l'm planning my trip around.

    Again, good luck with your goals
    We're here for a good time...not a long time

  11. #11
    Registered Member rickztahone's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Hello Greg. Great backstory, thanks for sharing. Do you have any pictures of some of the tanks you set up in your university? I am not sure how you have time to do so much! I commend you your effort. Keep it up.

    Click here to view my 75g Acrylic Tank w/ Bean Animal Overflow with 40g Sump Thread

    Also, click here for my 25 group of discus grow out thread


    http://i3.cpcache.com/product/162117...ht=75&width=75
    Want to look like Al did at his ACA talk with his white Simply Polo shirt?(You can catch Al's awesome Discus talk HERE)
    You can get this and many more items such as T-shirts/Polos/hoodies/cups from our merchandise shop:
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  12. #12
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    Quote Originally Posted by rickztahone View Post
    Hello Greg. Great backstory, thanks for sharing. Do you have any pictures of some of the tanks you set up in your university? I am not sure how you have time to do so much! I commend you your effort. Keep it up.
    Thank you!

    A wise man once said "you can either watch tv or keep discus"... lol

    I will see what pictures I have of the tanks I had in college!

  13. #13
    Registered Member Cevoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    So let me get this right...you are a young Italian man with a college degree currently working at Penn while studying to become a doctor...with a summer home in the Thousand Islands and another in Ocean City...that keeps and breeds discus with a passion for fishing too?
    Please PM me for my daughters phone number and let me be the first one to welcome you to the family.
    Chris V.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cevoe View Post
    So let me get this right...you are a young Italian man with a college degree currently working at Penn while studying to become a doctor...with a summer home in the Thousand Islands and another in Ocean City...that keeps and breeds discus with a passion for fishing too?
    Please PM me for my daughters phone number and let me be the first one to welcome you to the family.
    Well when you put it like that.... lol. Us Italians are trouble, I'm not sure you want your daughter running around with me! jk we make good meatballs!

  15. #15
    Homesteader Altum Nut's Avatar
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    Default Re: Intro to Me

    WOW Greg...there is no end to any part of your life and loving every post. I'm one of the more civil Italians and wanting to be adopted by your dad. Lol
    On the side away from hobby and play...the world will be extremely blessed to have you as a NeuroSurgeon.
    As far as fishing goes at my end...steelhead is on the top of the list. My friends cross the border to Pennsylvania and New York quite often but I never find spare time to go...but I keep hearing I'm missing out big time.

    ...Ralph
    "Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
    -John Wooden

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