Hi, my name is Holly ,and I am addicted to the aquarium hobby ! I've had fish and tanks pretty much since I was a child, there were a few lapses here and there as life happens. At once point I was up to over 185 tanks in my fishroom. So yes, I'm far beyond MTS, multiple tank syndrome !!! LOL
Anyway this all started due to my disabilities. The hobby I LOVED so much was one I could and can still do, and be active in, So I ran with it and set up my first real fishroom after having 60 tanks scattered all over my house.
I enjoy peaceful and nano species, so that is primarily what I breed, the "old school" way. Its the way I learned the hobby, before we had all this modern tech, gizmos and gadgets, and it still works very well for me. I'm a firm believer in the KISS method on most things. Keep It Super Simple. In other words, don't make things harder than they need to be. If your comfortable with all the new stuff- GREAT, no worries. Its just not how I personally do things.
I keep what I've heard is currently called the "natural aquarium". I provide substrate, lots of hiding spots for those species, as well as open swimming areas. Tanks are planted with live plants- even my breeding tanks ! Infusoria, scuds, snails, and other organisms are simply a part of my ecosystems, that happen to be mostly in glass boxes ! The fish are more comfortable, There is more surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize, plants help with keeping up water parameters. For me, its a WIN WIN ! Don't get me wrong, I'm still a huge fan of frequent water changes. I'm just also a fan of looking at the aquarium, as a whole, each organism there, doing its own part to benefit the whole. My only bare bottom tanks are for quarantine and fasting purposes.
I'm currently keeping around 80 tanks, a few tubs and an indoor small pond. I have a wide variety of species ranging from shrimp to various livebearers, nano fish, smaller cichlids, bristlenose and cories.
I am active in my local aquarium club the Missouri Aquarium Society. I've held a few positions, including Social media, Swap and Show co-chair , and participate regularly in the BAP and HAP programs.