Hey to all. My name is Jim Hanley and live just outside of Buffalo ny on the shores of lake erie. I have among other occupations been a charter captain on the great lakes for going on 40 years (
www.northeastoutdoors.com) i also hosted and produced a fishing tv series for 18 years called Jim Hanley's Northeast Outdoors, which appeared on the outdoor channel.
For as long as I can remember, I've always loved creatures that swim and crawl. I used to take my pet turtles in the tub with me and even had an old clawfoot tub in my backyard that was always filled with bluegill, bass and turtles. My bedroom when i was 10, had a tank with bluegills and pumpkin seeds that I would watch as I fell asleep. There was always a tank going somewhere in my apartments and even I had a pair of mated eastern painted turtles that fed from my fingers for 15 years until I had to move and gave the to my zoo. In the late 90's to early 2000's between editing tv shows I was involved in raising and breeding orandas and lionheads. My office hummed from the sound of canisters and airstones as those big beautiful goldfish would do everything possible to get my attention. I had 4 55s going at that time and I snickered when I read al z's comments about doing 10% water changes on goldfish. I did, at the very least 50% water changes every other day and most days, every day...with a bucket and siphon. If you want goldfish to grow, as with discus, constant waters changes are a must!! I haven't had an aquarium set up since 2005 but with my job as a guide I'm contanstnty dealing with bait such as golden and emerald shiners as well as crayfish so I have a bait tank running in my garage from April to November. It's no different then caring for an aquarium in your den or basement except that you are constantly taking bait out and then replenishing with fresh stock from the bait seller. it's quite a sophisticated unit called a minnow master. (
http://www.minnowmaster.com) It's complete with a 3 stage filter, giant air pump and a chiller. Minnows keep best at 52 degrees until used. On a dual basis I'm acclamating them to the temp in my boats livewell tank so as not to shock them. Live bait has its own set of problems you learn to deal with...
I've always loved discus but never felt I had the time to devote to them until now that Im becoming an old guy. I hope to be able to breed and eventually sell them to supplement my income as I grow too old to be on a rocking and rolling boat on Lake Erie everyday. I still guide about 150 days a year and work on the TV crew for the Buffalo sabres and other professional sports teams but those extremely physical jobs will come to an end in a few years so I'm in the process of setting up a fish room in the basement. Over this past winter, a Facebook buddy had been posting aquarium pix, most being of discus and they simple got into my head and I cant get the images of them out ha. Ive been working on the room for a few months between fishing everyday and sleeping as often as possible. Im planning a fully automated water changing system ( 100 gal Rubbermaid horse trough as my reservoir) and sumps for all of the tanks. The tanks, 1-55 4-20 highs 4-20 longs and 2 29s have all been drilled and painted, stands have been built and now the basement walls are being insulated and electrical outlets installed. I plan on getting at least a 75 and 125 when I can rope my son and his strong buddies into carrying them down those long steps to the basement. I'll keep you posted on my progress as I'm in no hurry and want to be super ready when that first shipment of discus arrives. Always remember... there is never enough time to do it right the first time but always enough time to do it over.
Best Fishes
Jim