Back to Basics

[Willie]

...But I turned my hobbies into a business once before and found that making my passion into a business took all the fun of it away...

That's it in a nutshell. Back when I was starting to crank out discus, I went to a fish show nearby with 30 young discus. If I sold them, I'd pay for the hotel room, the gasoline and the selling table. As it turned out, I sold the fish - but really didn't enjoy the show at all. Ironically, I was working in sales in my day job at the time. But I realized that attending a fish show was not at all fun when success was measured by how much money I made. Now I sell to hobbyists locally and that's more about having people visit the fish room (before Covid) and talking discus for an hour, or more.

[Larry208]

These are looking great, was thinking on these for my next fish a while back, have not decided yet.

[Willie]

Those of you on Facebook know about Hans' recent near death experience. When I heard, I texted to wish him well. His immediate response was to ask how the Flachens are doing. Normally I wait a full month before posting, but this was an extenuating circumstance so I sent him a video. Since I shot it, I'll post it here.

[pablos]

Video is not available. What had happened?

[Willie]

Video is not available. What had happened?

Works when I click on it?!

[Iminit]

Yes it’s yours to us we get a message that says it’s a private video

[Willie]

Sorry. Hope this'll fix it.

[seanyuki]

Those Flachens are looking good.

[Iminit]

That fixed it!! Flachens looking good!!

[pablos]

... so what is this terrific story around this beautiful fish?

[Willie]

... so what is this terrific story around this beautiful fish?

Nothing special. These came from Discus Hans about 6 weeks ago. They get daily 100% water changes (so ~45 water changes so far) and lots of beefheart and VibraBites. I've been posting their progress monthly. Flachens have been around for a long, long time, but I think they're still one of the better strains. They grow big and they spawn readily - after another ~350 water changes.

[LizStreithorst]

Those of you on Facebook know about Hans' recent near death experience. When I heard, I texted to wish him well. His immediate response was to ask how the Flachens are doing. Normally I wait a full month before posting, but this was an extenuating circumstance so I sent him a video. Since I shot it, I'll post it here.

I don't do facebook. What happened to Hansie?

[seanyuki]

Hans had a heart attack yesterday while mowing the lawn .

I don't do facebook. What happened to Hansie?

[Shan_Evolved]

Oh my god they look so good!!!! Do they turn blue when they get a bit older? Mine is turning a gorgeous color with his fins too. But man yours are gonna be B I G.

Also yea scary about Hans. Hope he makes it. I really think he needs to retire and let someone else take over the business. It's SO much work and high stress

[pablos]

From Facebook "Long story short I’m in the hospital during doing my grass I got a heart attack. Joanne called 911, fire brigade in no time in the street followed by the ambulance. They rushed me to the hospital and kind of direct on the table My widow maker was 100% blocked. They put 2 stents in. During the operation they had to shock me 2x Very strange feeling if you hear them say: we are loosing him, we are loosing him, free the table. And those shocks ....... no **** they lifted me off the table. Okay, sorry but don’t see any shipping out happing this week. I was going to get a shipment in this week (Thursday) but that also has to go on hold."