Been a while, first tank in multiple years

[Discus-n00b]

Oh hey guys, good to see so many familiar faces still kicking around. I got out of the hobby for a while, needed to sort some stuff, then COVID hit and really took a toll on my job/income since I work in the live event industry, and now finally coming out of that I just felt like I needed to get back into the hobby a little bit. It feels like the right time for a small hobby again. Dipping the toes, only one tank for now though I would love more. It's roughly 2-3 months old at this point I think. 36 Gallon rimless going for the full on planted tank. Has pressurized CO2 and the works. Stocking is Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish, Corydoras sterbai, Otos, 2 small hillstream loaches, some nerite snails, and a single Koi Snake Swordtail (his partner went carpet surfing last night so I need to get more of those). Anyone have a lead on female Neon Dwarf Rainbows? In a school of 10 I have 2 females.

Battling a little bit of a diatom issue currently but it's to be expected being a brand new tank getting everything dialed in right. Just kind of waiting for it all to grow in at this point. The background plants are going nuts, going to actually have to start trimming soon. Here is a quick phone photo from today, just did a water change on it so its a bit stirred up. The keen eye will notice the wood came from my old Wild discus centerpiece. The neon Dwarf Rainbows were absolutely the right choice of centerpiece fish for this, couldn't be happier with that choice. Once I get some of the diatoms under control I'll probably scale down the cleaning crew and possibly add a pair of Apistos in for the bottom.

Anyway, good to see all of your names again. Glad to have a tank wet again at least. I'll get some better photos at some point!

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[Iminit]

Nice looking tank!! Good luck with it.

[SidJones]

Missed you and your great photo's. Welcome back!

[Second Hand Pat]

Matt.....YOUR BACK....missed you man. What a gorgeous tank and looks like you put a good bit of thought and time in it's planning and execution.
Good to see you,
Pat

[jeep]

Welcome back Matt! I remember you from the early days! Beautiful tank! Triple the size and load it with discus!!!

[Caspian]

Hi Matt

I know what its like to have the itch of getting a tank wet, nice setup looking forward to seeing more pictures and good luck mate

[jpm995]

Tank has a really nice natural look to it, good job.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Matt, that is a nice tank. (I'm feeling like I need to revisit the aquascaping in my FishNook)

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks everyone. Plants growing insane but still battling the diatoms, seem to have a lot of silicates in the tap water from testing which could be fueling it. I think I'm gonna run some media to strip that out and I'll just have to dose Phosphates back for the plants. Kinda rusty at it but here are some other photos. Plan on getting some more Koi Swordtails after Christmas and maybe a pair of Apistos.

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[Discus-n00b]

Latest full tank shot before I trimed some of the long stuff at the back.

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[LizStreithorst]

Mr. Bugg! How wonderful to have you back with us, Merry Christmas to us at Simply! But when it the Discus tank coming?

But what you have now is stunning. I have Rainbows in the 125 in my office. My favorites are the Dwarf Neon and the Millennium. I'm down to just one Millennium and all my Dwarf Neons. I've had the tank going for years and they died of old age. Good luck in your search for more Neons. I just have my LPS get them in for me. I've never spotted any on AB

[Discus-n00b]

About a two month update. Just trimmed it, this was pre trim. The swordtails are now breeding, I've seen the first 2 babies in the tank and all of the females are super fat so I expect more to be dropping very soon.

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[LizStreithorst]

It's stunning, Matt.

[Iminit]

You got talent!! What ferts are you using??

[LizStreithorst]

He has multiple talents when it comes to fish.