Back After A Long Break

[Akasha72]

Hello, I've not been part of this forum for a very long time but I've been drawn back. I've been lurking for a few days and reading several topics and realised that there are things I can help with.
 
Around 4 years ago I was a novice. I grew up with my Dad keeping tropical fish and so I had some knowledge but not much. I discovered this forum when my first bacterial bloom appeared and I had no clue what it was! I stuck around learning lots on a daily basis until I gathered my confidence. 
 
Currently I have a Rio240 which contains SA cichlids (angelfish and laetacara curviceps) various tetra's and cories, ancistrus cats and oto's and my 3 ginormous siamese algae eaters (my 'oh, I think I might have made a mistake' fish) ... and don't get me started on the snail population!
 
I've gathered quite a lot of knowledge via various forums over the last few years and so hopefully I can offer help and advise to those of you just beginning in the hobby.
 
I've seen a few familiar names and faces here so hi to those that know me too 

 

[Ch4rlie]

back!
 
Sounds like you have had a fair few tanks and I look forward to hearing more from you

 

[Akasha72]

thank you ChArlie!
 
I began with a little hexagon tank that I found in a charity shop for £3 .. it had the under gravel filter and airstone/pump included so I set it up and got some neons and a couple of platies. My Dad encouraged me to start small with easy forgiving fish and I'm glad he did. Soon after a neighbour wanted rid of a 2ft tank and so I upgraded and added 4 cories (I still have them but they're getting old now) and a few more platies, and later on some guppies. A short while later I decided to upgrade again and spent my christmas money on a brand new Juwel Rekord 800. Then the same neighbour decided to pack up keeping fish altogether and offered me his Rio180 for £40!! I bit his hand off naturally! 
After about 6 months of that running a friend wanted rid of her Rio240 and so I sold the 180 (for a nice £25 pound profit!) and now I'm settled. No more upgrades!
 
Fish that I've kept include Bolivian Rams (now both dead after developing hexamita) platies, guppies, and my current stock. I've dealt with most of the illnesses and with bacterial blooms and ammonia spikes. I'm hoping that I can help people here.
 
One thing I will say is I will only ever speak from personal experience. I'm also a big believer in that in this hobby there is always something new to learn and so hopefully I can learn more about the things I don't know too

 

[Ch4rlie]

One thing I will say is I will only ever speak from personal experience. I'm also a big believer in that in this hobby there is always something new to learn and so hopefully I can learn more about the things I don't know too

 
Something I entirely agree with
 
Sounds as if you were at the right place at the right time for these bargain tanks and set ups

 

[DrRob]

Welcome back Akasha.

 

[Akasha72]

hey Rob ... a name I recognise! Hope your well
 
 
Shame I can't pick the lottery numbers hey Ch4rlie lol

 

[Akasha72]

I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying being back here. Being able to help people with their fish related problems and learning new things too is great

 

[Brilly91]

I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying being back here. Being able to help people with their fish related problems and learning new things too is great

 
Glad your enjoying being back here  
 
I always get drawn back to this forum despite the lack of movement on the salty side, such a great community.

 

[LongS]

I spot an imposter among those South American fish! Welcome back 

 

[Akasha72]

hahaha the siamese algae eater possibly lol
 
They're there to do a job ...I couldn't care less where they come from so long as they keep eating BBA