What People Are Saying
“I think the biggest thing I learned from Eli would be how important plants are for managing algae growth. I used to think plants are just for decoration, but I didn’t realize how the nutrient balance works.”
Ben, New York
“Eli is my eldest brother, and I grew up alongside the multiple fish tanks in our home at different points. I vaguely remember them, but I was too young to get involved in the details. It wasn’t until we were both living in Baltimore that he got me into the hobby unexpectedly. While stuck at home after being hit by a car, he needed help setting up what started as a single tank and quickly turned into 3. As we began setting up the 20 gallon, then a 10, then a 5, I started to see all the possibilities with not only fish but also Neocaridina shrimp. I was endlessly fascinated by these little guys’ resilience, color diversity and ease of breeding. I set up a 29 gallon community tank but my blue dream Neocaridina shrimp were the stars of the show. By the end of it, I had three tanks and hundreds of shrimp before I rehomed everyone to start RV life. But I can’t wait to set up my fish – I mean, shrimp – room as soon as I settle down again.”
Zeke, Baltimore
“I grew up around a range of pets: ordinary and exotic. From flying squirrels to rescue dogs, we had it all at some point. We kept fish and turtles briefly but someone else was always in charge of maintaining the tank. When we were housemates during graduate school, Eli showed me how easy it can be to manage the day-to-day admin of a fish aquarium. I prefer the nano tank format because I love the speed at which I can do things like water changes and plant pruning. I maintain a low-tech (no CO2) planted, dirted tank setup that features both aquatic and terrestrial plants, including orchids and spider plants. I have found that the best orchid food is fish and shrimp waste. I have taken near-death orchids and rehabilitated them to the point that they have produced up to 8 blooms at a time, perched over the water of my Marineland Portrait desktop 5-gallon aquarium.”
Andrea, Detroit
“Eli and I are old college friends who reconnected a few years ago when we were both living in the DC area. I live in an apartment complex that is strict when it comes to pets, and a fish tank was about the only thing I could get away with without a pet deposit and exorbitant monthly fee. I had been considering an aquarium for a while, but Eli gave me the push I needed to take plunge. I got started in the hobby when Eli was moving and gave me his Landen rimless 10-gallon tank, complete with lid, light, heater and sponge filter. We batted around lots of concepts, from substrate to hardscape to stocking ideas. I ended up going with a moonscape-inspired concept with black UNS Controsoil, driftwood and white river stones. Being a scientist by training, I like to tinker in small glass containers. Within a year, I installed a high-tech CO2 system and now have a densely planted community tank I love, featuring cardinal tetras and cherry shrimp.”
Patrick, Washington D.C.