Hi guys, thanks for your answers about fish selection - very true, I am thinking a bit too hard about things at this stage and looking too far ahead - I'm going to try and focus more on actually getting some fish and keeping them alive and healthy and not stunted for the time being... I am not intentionally looking to breed, it was more a case of if it happens then I will explore that a bit more.
MY tank is still sitting empty, although I do have some sand and a manzanita branch in there now - husband has insisted that we have something on the base, but I don't mind and will just up the cleaning on the base. It seems to show up every spec of dirt too, which is a good thing so I can find it! I haven't pulled the trigger yet on the fish as I am both extremely busy and getting used to looking after a large tank, and also it is still cycling although I am starting to get a lot of nitrites and nitrates showing and very little ammonia, so we are close. I have a couple of days off in a fortnight so that may be a good time...
I also won't lie, I am pretty nervous about how much effort and time is needed for discus, not to mention that even people that do it perfectly will come home and a fish is sick/died... I guess all one can do is jump in with both feet, learn, and deal with anything that comes their way so that in the future they know a little bit more. Oh, and hang out here loads too