Flei
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
My wife and kids got me a 55G for my birthday. 
I've had lots of small tanks over the years, but this is my first large tank. I thought I had everything under control... We had a tank kit (filter, heater, etc...), stand, gravel, and decorations. I bought artificial plants, a bubbling dragon, and a pagota. I was going for a tranquil Asian vibe. Since I'm no noob (ha!, so I thought) I filled the tank, put in the "instant water conditioner" and let it run for a day or so. I then proceded to call around and see what local stores had "high enough quality" fish/supplies for my masterpiece. After speaking to a LFS owner, I realized I was a pompas idiot. He asked me about my nitrites level, and I said "Huh?", "...And what is substrate? I didn't buy any subrate; I bought gravel."
That's when class began.
Since then, I realized just how much I didn't know, and have thrown myself into this with the excitement/obsession of a 10 year old with a new videogame. My wife thinks I've gone a bit overboard. Whatever - she started it.
That was about 6 weeks ago. I have since let my tank cycle (and I actually understand what the entails), and everything is going great. I've also discovered aquascaping, and the beauty and benifits of live plants. I've also started a secondary tank (10 gallons) for multiple purposes: I can practice aquascaping, or use it as a breeder tank. I'm going to attempt a hybrid of styles - an aquascaped community tank. People seem to gravitate towards one style or the other. Why? I'm going to try to make a highly manicured tank that provides good, healthy habitats for my fish community, but I'll save that process for a different thread...
I've had lots of small tanks over the years, but this is my first large tank. I thought I had everything under control... We had a tank kit (filter, heater, etc...), stand, gravel, and decorations. I bought artificial plants, a bubbling dragon, and a pagota. I was going for a tranquil Asian vibe. Since I'm no noob (ha!, so I thought) I filled the tank, put in the "instant water conditioner" and let it run for a day or so. I then proceded to call around and see what local stores had "high enough quality" fish/supplies for my masterpiece. After speaking to a LFS owner, I realized I was a pompas idiot. He asked me about my nitrites level, and I said "Huh?", "...And what is substrate? I didn't buy any subrate; I bought gravel."
That's when class began.
Since then, I realized just how much I didn't know, and have thrown myself into this with the excitement/obsession of a 10 year old with a new videogame. My wife thinks I've gone a bit overboard. Whatever - she started it.
That was about 6 weeks ago. I have since let my tank cycle (and I actually understand what the entails), and everything is going great. I've also discovered aquascaping, and the beauty and benifits of live plants. I've also started a secondary tank (10 gallons) for multiple purposes: I can practice aquascaping, or use it as a breeder tank. I'm going to attempt a hybrid of styles - an aquascaped community tank. People seem to gravitate towards one style or the other. Why? I'm going to try to make a highly manicured tank that provides good, healthy habitats for my fish community, but I'll save that process for a different thread...
to AA! 
