Starting again after a long break

Yardbent · 2026-11-05T08:48:12-0600

Greetings from SW Scotland.
I’ve kept tropicals off ‘n on since the mid-1950s - in an era of frame aquariums with plate glass and putty with incandescent house lightbulbs mounted in a hood. 240V - lucky to survive. LFS stocked only the usual but still enjoyable.
A gap of 20years whilst married in Vancouver. Back in the UK (happily divorced haha) I was astounded at how the hobby had improved.
Bought a large Aqua-One bow-front and started over again. Up in Scotland now, I downsized my home and tank. I have JUST started to fishless cycle a 54L tank, with plans for a shoal of Panda Corydorus only. That’s for now. John

gwand · 2026-11-05T09:11:34-0600

Welcome to the forum.

Boundava · 2026-11-05T09:34:51-0600

Welcome back to the hobby!

GaryE · 2026-11-05T09:34:58-0600

A panda cory only tank? Wisdom does come with time. My cory only tanks have been really good ideas, and are really enjoyable tanks.

Ah, stainless steel hoods with incandescent bulbs making them too hot to touch...clip on heaters that could zap you if they fell in, tar lined tanks that leaked on a regular schedule (get the linseed oil!) - good times. You'll enjoy the improved options.