Well,
I have had acquariums off and over the last 30 years. It wasn't until the last 5-10 years that I really started learning about why my fish always died. The internet has provided me with so many educational opportunities to learn about keeping an acquarium.
I had always liked fancy goldfish. They were usually pretty hardy, too. Then one day my son had a Jack Demsey cichlid being attacked in his tank. So, he stuck it in a tank that I had. I learned that some fish were actually smart, and had personalities. I had that Jack Demsey for a few fears. He had gotten big, and I thought he needed a tank mate. That's when I had gotten an Oscar. I "thought" the JD was "lonely", I hadn't learned yet that a JD will not do well in 30 gallon tank. So, adding the Oscar pushed him over the edge... So, I lost him. I lost the Oscar a year or so later. I still miss that oscar. He played dead when he was upset.
I am now planning to graduate to a 100
gal tank. Especially since, I like cichlids. My (2) JDs that are in (2) separate (30) gallon tanks will soon outgrow them.
I also have a 20
gal tank with (2) african cichlids. I just switched their gravel bed over to Black "Hawiian" sand. I had forgotten that I really wanted Black "Tahittian" sand. It is looking good... But, planning to get the "tahittian" sand.
I am still learning alot, and thoroughly enjoy having acquariums throughout the house.
Raeleen