I have been keeping fish for over 15 years. I started with 2 red eared sliders from China Town in NYC. I started reading aquarium books, especially those about planted aquariums. I was working as a mechanic in Colorado at $12/hr which didn't cover hobby expenses so I took a part time job at a local fish store. The 10g lost its ability to hold water and I was able to upgrade to a used 50 breeder. Several inches of dirt and fine gravel later I had Amazon swords growing out the top. With my part time job I purchased a Fluval canister and a Coralife PC light and powerstrip with built in timer.
We moved back to NYC where I took a job working for NY Aquarium Service, now Manhattan Aquarium. I could now purchase at wholesale prices. I had the 50B and a 20g hex that I had resealed. The hex tank was Cherry barbs, White clouds, and Rasboras with a branch covered in Java Fern. Unfortunately, for the hex a visitor to our apartment building tripped and fell into the tank and it broke. The 50B continued being a planted tank with a variety of fish as I could trade them out like changing underwear. I would buy fish at the wholesale get tired of them and take them to the office to be sold to clients. Great times. Eventually, I was able to get my dream fish, Discus. I purchased several over time before I had success at keeping them alive. I did purchase a pair of Flame Orange discus from a fellow on Long Is. for $300 which almost got me killed upon returning home. At one time I did have 3 tanks running in our apartment.
Two years in NYC was enough and we moved to the Portland area. I had a 65g reef tank with a wet/dry sump, a 45 Oceanic long hex and an antique 5g with metal frame. When I moved to Colorado and then to NYC I transported the fish in buckets, but I had to have my fish shipped to Vancouver as I flew while the wife drove the Uhaul. I did hand carry the 5g as checked luggage. I don't remember what fish were in it.
Nine months later we were living in Aburne and my 65g was destroyed in the move. Unable to replace the 65g, I was able to keep the flame discus but the 4 wild caught discus I acquired from the Wet Spot were taken to a lfs. The wild discus had started eating for me but once moved to the lfs store the ceased and failed to thrive.
We moved Tacoma where I only ever had a single tank. I was able to acquire a 75g somehow.
Now I have 7 aquariums. 100g Shellies, 90g Dollars and Angels, 35 Bowfront Gouramis, loaches, and goldfish, 55g betta, guppies, white clouds, and 29g x2 guppies and one with shrimp
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Found some pics on my old FB that I no longer frequent.