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I'm delighted to present the October Member Spotlight on long-time, well-known member, Al Castro:
My name is AL and I am married with children. I was born in the smallest country in the Americas, El Salvador. I came here as a child and have adopted this country as my home. I am a festive, hardworking, loyal and very honest person. I am a 53 year old father to three great boys, husband to a wonderful wife and grandfather to two incredible kids.
I met my wife at a friend’s house and it was love at first sight (Romantic as well). We have been married now for 33 years. My oldest son, Freddy is turning 32, next is Jimmy
30, father of two, and last in the list is Danny 24. Grandkids, Jaime 3 years and little Jimmy 18 months old. I cannot express with words the love I feel for the grandkids, they are the charger to the batteries for my life.
Al Family Group by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Al and wife by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Al and Grandkids by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Fishroom by Simply Discus, on Flickr
I am a German car technician for 34 years, a factory trained Porsche mechanic, currently working for a small independent shop. Will talk more about my career with Porsche later on, as this at one point and time was a highlight in my life.
My other hobby is Tequila; collecting, tasting events, and enjoying drinking it with great people in the back of my house which looks like a small place in Mexico.
Little "Mexico" by Simply Discus, on Flickr
How did you get into discus?
My oldest son bought a used 70 gallon tank and changed his mind and gave it to me. I thought about what fish I wanted, me being different wanted something you don't see every day so I bought some discus at a LFS. Shortly after that when seeking help, I found Simply Discus -, thank God and simply.
I had fish on and off but Koi have always attracted me because of their vibrant color and friendliness. I currently have a 1,000 gallon above ground pond in my yard.
What strains are you most happy with?
I have always been attracted to Reds, but currently own a pair of Goh Eng Khoon fine line snakes which are my pride. I think breeders are doing a great job with all strains but my favorites are Albinos - the few brightly colored ones , platinums, millenniums, leopards, red spotted greens. By accident I own a Cuipera cross pair with the albino gene that I bought from a member here on Simply, and currently have albino fry that I would like to develop as a strain. Breeding albinos has always been something I want to do so I am currently in search for a pair.
Discus Pair by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Discus Albino by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Fry on parent by Simply Discus, on Flickr
What do you feed your discus?
I mainly feed BH I make and Al's FDBW and some pellets from Forrest.
What is your most exhilarating moment with discus?
Nothing like seeing fry on parents specially a mix of albinos.
What is your most frustrating moment with discus?
It would be not being able to figure what's wrong with them, in illness. As a mechanic I am a person that won't give up, that's why I don't do stocks anymore, as I would hang on to them till they hit zero - lol. With that being said I can't say enough about how important it is to not get to that stage with discus, so don't neglect your water changes and wipe downs.
Any future Discus plans?
I have no plans, in fact not too long ago I almost gave up, as with my job it's hard keeping up with the proper care they require. But after seeing some pictures from Ricardo's grow out project I got a second wind, so I am looking to breed albinos.
How do those in your life feel about discus?
Most had never seen them before but love them, and when I started breeding them they thought I was a bit crazy. Now my grandkids love them and like to help.
Do you have any funny stories?
One day the power went out for 16 hours, and me being worried went in to my fish room with a flashlight to inspect them. I saw one of my males not moving and hardly breathing so I put my hand in the tank and tipped him like a sleeping cow. When he woke up he ran amuck and scared the pants off me.
What do you see as the future of discus?
Can't say, not having given it much thought. Hopefully the hobby will grow but what I feel it really needs is for the information on discus to expand with all of the correct information.
Do you have any credits or thanks to give?
First I would like to thank Simply for all the help. If not for this forum I would not be where I am today - thanks Al.
Thanks to the big guns like Rick and John, and personal thanks to Tony ( MKD ) he has become a good friend helped me a lot; to Walter ( WaltDeleon ); to Ricardo my bud, & Ismael and the lady Mishka. And last but not least Second hand Pat for keeping this forum and all simply members straight.
If you were to give any advice, what would it be?
I am not at that point just yet, but one thing I can say is give them fresh WATER! Lots of it and often. Just because you change it once in a while does not make for good water in the tank, as there is so much going on in your water as it's left sitting untouched, from ammonia to bacteria.
How has Simply helped influenced you?
It's made me give and share with others the things that I've learned.
How did you decide to take the plunge into breeding?
It just happened and it was breathtaking. I got hooked, since I love nature, plus it helps pay some bills - lol.
photo 5 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Babies by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Fry growouts by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Fry by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Fish 2 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
What where the major obstacles involved in setting up as a breeder?
The actual set up was ok, I built a fish room in my garage, & insulated with foam boards. It measures 6x12x7.5 feet. But what is hard is knowing how fragile fry are and that their needs are so much higher than adults. Advice? Good husbandry.
Just want to mention that all the fry you see in these pictures where artificially raised. I learned most everything reading on simply. All I can add is that for the vessels I created for fry to be contained in, I picked up some ideas here and there -e.g. glue gun, coffee filters, and to feed San Francisco brand brine shrimp.
Fish Room by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Any tips on breeding or raising discus?
Read all you can on Simply before taking the plunge, make sure all is clean including the pair, and again practice good husbandry, have patience and let nature take its course.
Any other hobbies?
Tequila. “I am not a drunk ", I just like the collecting and socializing aspect, and judging the various tastes. My collection is not huge, about 50 bottles. For some reason having a good friend to sip it with means a lot to me. I even bought Mexican Equipal ( pig skin ) furniture to add to that feel. I guess since I can't afford to go on vacation, I can bring that feeling to my house. I go twice a year to tequila tasting events and have a blast. My good friend and tequila enthusiast passed away early this year and I truly miss him.
Tequila by Simply Discus, on Flickr
We understand you're into cars - tell us about it?
As I mentioned earlier I am a Porsche mechanic, with three years of high school auto shop, one year of technical college, and a factory Porsche trained "gear head". Porsche has always been in my blood and one day I got hired in a motor sports shop. I did not know how skilled I was in this field until this job came along. I became their engine builder and shop Foreman. One thing I learned here is that team work is a must, you need to depend on what others do. One example is: a race car will come in on a Monday - the engine comes out and is given to me while the rest of crew gets to work on body and suspension. Most everything is fabricated in house. I would rebuild and or modify the motor, putting it back on Friday when the car is finished. It's back at the race track on Saturday where it's put through torture for a 24 hour race at Daytona. Lots of sleepless nights and stress but the reward of winning is great. We won most races we entered for a whole year and I was recognized for the good work - a big accomplishment for me to enjoy.
Thank you simply for allowing me to share my love for all things I do. Find the joy in your life.
Porsche 3 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Porsche 4 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Porsche 5 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Porsche by Simply Discus, on Flickr
Porsche 2 by Simply Discus, on Flickr
AL Castro
My name is AL and I am married with children. I was born in the smallest country in the Americas, El Salvador. I came here as a child and have adopted this country as my home. I am a festive, hardworking, loyal and very honest person. I am a 53 year old father to three great boys, husband to a wonderful wife and grandfather to two incredible kids.
I met my wife at a friend’s house and it was love at first sight (Romantic as well). We have been married now for 33 years. My oldest son, Freddy is turning 32, next is Jimmy
30, father of two, and last in the list is Danny 24. Grandkids, Jaime 3 years and little Jimmy 18 months old. I cannot express with words the love I feel for the grandkids, they are the charger to the batteries for my life.
Al Family Group by Simply Discus, on FlickrAl and wife by Simply Discus, on FlickrAl and Grandkids by Simply Discus, on FlickrFishroom by Simply Discus, on FlickrI am a German car technician for 34 years, a factory trained Porsche mechanic, currently working for a small independent shop. Will talk more about my career with Porsche later on, as this at one point and time was a highlight in my life.
My other hobby is Tequila; collecting, tasting events, and enjoying drinking it with great people in the back of my house which looks like a small place in Mexico.
Little "Mexico" by Simply Discus, on FlickrHow did you get into discus?
My oldest son bought a used 70 gallon tank and changed his mind and gave it to me. I thought about what fish I wanted, me being different wanted something you don't see every day so I bought some discus at a LFS. Shortly after that when seeking help, I found Simply Discus -, thank God and simply.
I had fish on and off but Koi have always attracted me because of their vibrant color and friendliness. I currently have a 1,000 gallon above ground pond in my yard.
What strains are you most happy with?
I have always been attracted to Reds, but currently own a pair of Goh Eng Khoon fine line snakes which are my pride. I think breeders are doing a great job with all strains but my favorites are Albinos - the few brightly colored ones , platinums, millenniums, leopards, red spotted greens. By accident I own a Cuipera cross pair with the albino gene that I bought from a member here on Simply, and currently have albino fry that I would like to develop as a strain. Breeding albinos has always been something I want to do so I am currently in search for a pair.
Discus Pair by Simply Discus, on FlickrDiscus Albino by Simply Discus, on FlickrFry on parent by Simply Discus, on FlickrWhat do you feed your discus?
I mainly feed BH I make and Al's FDBW and some pellets from Forrest.
What is your most exhilarating moment with discus?
Nothing like seeing fry on parents specially a mix of albinos.
What is your most frustrating moment with discus?
It would be not being able to figure what's wrong with them, in illness. As a mechanic I am a person that won't give up, that's why I don't do stocks anymore, as I would hang on to them till they hit zero - lol. With that being said I can't say enough about how important it is to not get to that stage with discus, so don't neglect your water changes and wipe downs.
Any future Discus plans?
I have no plans, in fact not too long ago I almost gave up, as with my job it's hard keeping up with the proper care they require. But after seeing some pictures from Ricardo's grow out project I got a second wind, so I am looking to breed albinos.
How do those in your life feel about discus?
Most had never seen them before but love them, and when I started breeding them they thought I was a bit crazy. Now my grandkids love them and like to help.
Do you have any funny stories?
One day the power went out for 16 hours, and me being worried went in to my fish room with a flashlight to inspect them. I saw one of my males not moving and hardly breathing so I put my hand in the tank and tipped him like a sleeping cow. When he woke up he ran amuck and scared the pants off me.
What do you see as the future of discus?
Can't say, not having given it much thought. Hopefully the hobby will grow but what I feel it really needs is for the information on discus to expand with all of the correct information.
Do you have any credits or thanks to give?
First I would like to thank Simply for all the help. If not for this forum I would not be where I am today - thanks Al.
Thanks to the big guns like Rick and John, and personal thanks to Tony ( MKD ) he has become a good friend helped me a lot; to Walter ( WaltDeleon ); to Ricardo my bud, & Ismael and the lady Mishka. And last but not least Second hand Pat for keeping this forum and all simply members straight.
If you were to give any advice, what would it be?
I am not at that point just yet, but one thing I can say is give them fresh WATER! Lots of it and often. Just because you change it once in a while does not make for good water in the tank, as there is so much going on in your water as it's left sitting untouched, from ammonia to bacteria.
How has Simply helped influenced you?
It's made me give and share with others the things that I've learned.
How did you decide to take the plunge into breeding?
It just happened and it was breathtaking. I got hooked, since I love nature, plus it helps pay some bills - lol.
photo 5 by Simply Discus, on FlickrBabies by Simply Discus, on FlickrFry growouts by Simply Discus, on FlickrFry by Simply Discus, on FlickrFish 2 by Simply Discus, on FlickrWhat where the major obstacles involved in setting up as a breeder?
The actual set up was ok, I built a fish room in my garage, & insulated with foam boards. It measures 6x12x7.5 feet. But what is hard is knowing how fragile fry are and that their needs are so much higher than adults. Advice? Good husbandry.
Just want to mention that all the fry you see in these pictures where artificially raised. I learned most everything reading on simply. All I can add is that for the vessels I created for fry to be contained in, I picked up some ideas here and there -e.g. glue gun, coffee filters, and to feed San Francisco brand brine shrimp.
Fish Room by Simply Discus, on FlickrAny tips on breeding or raising discus?
Read all you can on Simply before taking the plunge, make sure all is clean including the pair, and again practice good husbandry, have patience and let nature take its course.
Any other hobbies?
Tequila. “I am not a drunk ", I just like the collecting and socializing aspect, and judging the various tastes. My collection is not huge, about 50 bottles. For some reason having a good friend to sip it with means a lot to me. I even bought Mexican Equipal ( pig skin ) furniture to add to that feel. I guess since I can't afford to go on vacation, I can bring that feeling to my house. I go twice a year to tequila tasting events and have a blast. My good friend and tequila enthusiast passed away early this year and I truly miss him.
Tequila by Simply Discus, on FlickrWe understand you're into cars - tell us about it?
As I mentioned earlier I am a Porsche mechanic, with three years of high school auto shop, one year of technical college, and a factory Porsche trained "gear head". Porsche has always been in my blood and one day I got hired in a motor sports shop. I did not know how skilled I was in this field until this job came along. I became their engine builder and shop Foreman. One thing I learned here is that team work is a must, you need to depend on what others do. One example is: a race car will come in on a Monday - the engine comes out and is given to me while the rest of crew gets to work on body and suspension. Most everything is fabricated in house. I would rebuild and or modify the motor, putting it back on Friday when the car is finished. It's back at the race track on Saturday where it's put through torture for a 24 hour race at Daytona. Lots of sleepless nights and stress but the reward of winning is great. We won most races we entered for a whole year and I was recognized for the good work - a big accomplishment for me to enjoy.
Thank you simply for allowing me to share my love for all things I do. Find the joy in your life.
Porsche 3 by Simply Discus, on FlickrPorsche 4 by Simply Discus, on FlickrPorsche 5 by Simply Discus, on FlickrPorsche by Simply Discus, on FlickrPorsche 2 by Simply Discus, on FlickrAL Castro
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