My name is Bob Raible and I live in the Silicon Valley (San Jose to be precise). I have a wife and 2 daughters who between them care for two hamsters, a guinea pig, and a leopard gecko. I have designed integrated circuits for various companies since graduating from Cornell University in 1977. Caring for and observing my fish is a good antidote for the fast pace life in these parts.

I started getting into tropical fish in a roundabout way. Soon after I was married (living in the Philadelphia suburbs), I was looking to get some sort of reptile. This was not music to the ears of my new bride. As I listed the potential candidates, she cringed until I happened to mention the possibility of a turtle. She felt that a turtle would be an excellent addition to the household. Soon after I got the turtle, a semi-aquatic species referred to as a Red-eared Slider in most parts of the US, she remarked that a few fish would be a good addition to the tank. From what I knew about turtles and fish I thought that it was a BAD idea, but it did get the wheels turning and before long I had bought a fish tank and outfitted it. Like many others I had killed more than a few purchases until I decided that I really needed to read up on potential purchases BEFORE adding them to my tank. I still remember adding a yellow snakehead (Channa something or other) to a 29 gallon tank containing juvenile Convicts. Let's just say that the young Convicts were less than amused.

When I left the East coast I gave away my fish to friends and packed away my aquariums (I believe I had 5 at the time). I wisely kept my fish stuff packed away and waited until I was sure I would stay in one place for a while. Giving away all of my fish was so hard emotionally, and I did not want to experience again any time soon. Finally after several apartments and rented houses, I bought a house in west San Jose and finally got to unpack my aquariums. I then tried to locate the local fish club (I remembered that there was a big club advertised in the back of Aquarium Fish Magazine. I asked for info on several of the fish news groups and some kind soul gave me the info I needed. I was amazed to find out that the Pacific Coast Cichlid Association (PCCA) met monthly only a mile from my newly purchased house! This was a great convenience, since I was to soon find out that the auctions sometimes ran on until midnight.

Over time I managed to mass about 10 aquariums ranging in size from 10 to 55 gallons. Most of my tanks contain South American fish and many contain SA plants as well. Most of the fish are Cichlids, but I also have Catfish and Tetras as well. Many of the tanks are fed from a source of reverse-osmosis filtered water, so that they can enjoy water softer than that from my tap. These aquaria have overflows that collect the excess water in the tanks and apply it my exterior gardens. This greatly cuts back on tank maintenance.

Several of my tanks contain fish that continue to breed over time. When I am successful in raising the fry, I sell the excess at the monthly PCCA auction. I also sell excess plants at the auction and am amazed that some of the plants fetch me better than retail, while the fish often sell for under wholesale. Go figure.

My current project is bringing up a 40 gallon show tank (it goes back 16" instead of the normal 13"). I already have had the hole bored for the overflow and need to set up the substrate and filter before filling. I plan to use it to house my 3 Discus, which are currently outgrowing a 25 gallon tank. I plan to use Microgeophagus ramirezi as tankmates and a few fast Tetras as dithers (fast enough to keep them from becoming Discus food).