What She Keeps in Her Fish Room after 50 Years in the Hobby

Lessons from an old school hobbyist. Bonnie has been keeping and breeding tropical fish for over 50 years... wow! She is the OG (old guy hahaha). Bonnie was a huge blessing to spend time with and learn about her life in the hobby and how the hobby saved her through live. This fish room tour will always be one I remember as Bonnie was such a great person to spend time with.
Bonnie is currently breeding corys, rainbows, chiclids and some angelfish. She has over 40 aquariums and she isn't stopping there. She even has one of the coolest antique aquariums I have ever seen!
Check out some of the other fish room tours I have done:
• Fish Room Tours

[@yl9644]

I'll say, she's managing the fishes way better than my local aquarium stores.

[@jamesalan779]

Duh

[@Gk22632]

Is that a surprise? She’s literally a veteran fish keeper

[@tonycarpaccio9550]

I was really stressed going through Law school and securing a job at a firm etc. During that time I got really into fish keeping. I was in a skyscraper looking up the nitrogen cycle and learning all the basics at 25. Buying a tank, getting it settled, decorating it, and getting my fish etc really helped me through that time. Fishkeeping is definitely therapeutic.

[@GlobeXLabels]

This is weird a lot of people say this, but I just find that it brings more stress (aka additional tasks)

[@midnull6009]

@@GlobeXLabels Depends. You can look at it one way; you are taking care of something and watching it grow. It depends on you. Or you can look at it as a chore. Also, if you have 1 or 2 tanks...it's nothing. Especially if they're well balanced. You can have a self sustaining ecosystem and the only thing left to do is top off a tank.

[@BlingIsSpring]

You must be trolling or you’re just that out of touch and completely have no self awareness lmao.

[@dingodyno9016]

Also depends on what you are running in your tank. If you are doing a full planted tank, then less time doing maintained and more time enjoying the fish as the plants are absorbing all those excess nutrients for you and doing way less water changes. Non planted tank on the other hand is a different story. Also depends on the type of fish you have and sizes of them and size tanks also, its just a lot of variables that go into it, but at the end of the day, you decide how the outcome of the tank is going to be and the amount of work you would be giving yourself

[@mackdog2.048]

When he mentioned ptsd and added about people who have it from car accidents it made me smile because people need to be aware that ptsd can come from all kinds of stuff not just war. This isnt talked about nearly enough and it needs to be because this stereotype needs to be squashed. So I want to just give a big THANK YOU too Flip Aquatics for just bringing this fact up on his channel.

[@isaaccuervo147]

Yeah this is very true i get panic attacks all the time. I was hit by a car when i was a kid. And i keep fish. Helps with anxiety

[@mhattbrieltugare5945]

Fish and tanks are my escape from stress back when i was in college.

[@IamGantz]

My ptsd came from the police raiding my home after a fire!

[@Jotto999]

Can confirm. The brain doesn't wait for a heroic, war-like danger to develop PTSD. It can happen from some rather domestic things; being assaulted, car accident, natural disasters, being bitten by a dangerous animal, and a bunch of other pretty mundane things.

[@coldbloodedcasey1508]

Ok but let's not compare someone fighting for our country over a car accident.....

[@kyleattwood5308]

“enjoy your life too?” “no not really” 😂

[@wyzemann]

This woman knows her fish. Every specimen was lively, colorful, and SUPER HEALTHY! Bonnie's Gold Rams were the showstopper; no one on KZbin has a colony more beautiful...at all. She's truly one of a kind in our ever-expanding fish universe. Thank You, Flip for bringing her fish room to our attention.

[@lisac5287]

You're right. The Gold Rams are something else.

[@sumannraaz5264]

I am 34 and i have kept aquariums for more than 2 decades. Its all about love. You are so attached with it that every individual fish becomes a family member. Some really grow big n some hatch numerous babies. You keep on adding tanks to make room for them or even build ponds. They deserve that. Lucky me, i have 10 tanks, very big and very small n a DIY pond too with a total of 200+ fishes. I m sure i will keep expanding bcoz my son is a bigger fish lover than me.

[@udayakumar.s163]

We all can totally relate to what you've mentioned in this hobby!

[@genisisarmstrong5896]

Yep, u described it. I got a sucker fish and left it with my x. I named him The Godfather..I honestly miss him. So, yes, they are family. I'm about to get a Siamese fighter fish and a Black cat. We'll see how that works 😃😳🤷🏾‍♀️

[@KGTiberius]

My grandmother’s single aquarium is 73 years old. Only 2 additional dna added by my cousin in the 1990s, else, the colony of guppies is from ~1945. I took a few out to continue the colony and have been colony breeding my own since (adding a new dna set 2-3 times per year). Great to know grandma’s original are the founding dna of this new generation.

[@mahithareddy7631]

Bonnie is such a lovely lady

[@LupDiesel]

She truly is! Loved her so much!

[@karenwolfsen]

Isn’t she a pip! What a doll. A living treasure ! She warmed my heart! It’s nice to see such an experienced woman fish keeper. I love her tanks and fish room. Beautiful. I love those Angels! Oh the gold ram tank is beautiful !

[@LupDiesel]

hahah I love her! Such a sweet heart! It is good to see old school gals being experts in this hobby

[@karenwolfsen]

Flip Aquatics - LupDiesel yes it is! It’s wonderful that she is doing something SHE loves all this time! Such an inspiration !

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

Too many tanks causes something I call burnout. I have had fish tanks for 62 years starting with quart jars of guppies. Burnout happens when you get tired of the work and the challenge of keeping them alive.I have seen burnout many times over the years. It is a natural consequence of getting tired of a particular hobby. Some of my fish are 30 years old. Bonnie is an unusually dedicated fish keeper. Full time tank keeper.

[@stanr5787]

James King incredible right!?! I have owned my cichlids for approximately 3 years now and burnouts happens at a point I stopped caring for a while I stopped cleaning or feeding. I got a kick in the butt when I saw them getting weak and started making changes got them a new aquarium, better canister filter, changed gravel to sand to match their natural habitat I also got rocks, new lighting, heater and everything. I've been with them for 3 years and I would cry if I see them die.

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

You have done very well congratulations.

[@surfinjb]

Yeah I’ve been keeping with breaks here and there for 35yrs. I think that’s totally natural and life is all about cycles of on/off. Most go through this in most aspects of their life-like my job/ hate this boring job, like living here/I need a change, I love spending time with my wife/ Lol better not type this one. Life itself is setup like this so you don’t get burnt out-you have the experience of life and then bam the switch shuts off. Omg I’ve been watching too much Alan Watts. Sometimes a species change such as her leaving angels can revive you.The most impressive dedication I’ve seen in person to a species was visiting old Jack Watleys discus room back in the early 90s. He had been working with them breeding from wild form to what we have today since he traveled down to get his breeding stock in 1963.

[@marioncobretti8210]

Ya as a former park ranger I try to remake a natural habitat. I stick to ponds that don't require filters and clean themselves. I'm a truck driver so Iam only home once a week.

[@rradiosilencee]

I'm in a burnout RN,,

[@tk45440]

"What are these? ... "Chocolates" "Are they? They look like Philippine Blues" "no"

[@111nick6]

"Do you breed those?" "yes."

[@kaisoisla]

tk45440 😆😆 I thought that was funny too, but he is right, those angels are Philippine blue chocolates

[@shesellsfish]

I love Old G fishroom tours, as others have said, Bonnie has forgotten more about fishkeeping and breeding than I will ever learn, and done it all without benefit of the internet back in the day. THESE are the folks we need to learn from.

[@LupDiesel]

Amen! She has so much knowledge and learned everything through trial and error then through others in fish clubs. Such a different generation and so much to learn from them.

[@elrey4137]

Are you saying that you're stupid?

[@emietogonon5530]

did she sell sometimes ? another type of income

[@gab1105]

"Old g" ??? Lmfao

[@canecorsomolosser3294]

Older people aren't that crazy 😊 They have many secrets to reveal 😊 People like her are indeed precious.

[@klcpca]

Wow!!! The amount of knowledge in her head!! Folks like her are a treasure in the hobby....she has probably forgotten more than many will ever know!!! And the changes she has seen!! Loved the old tanks!!! Thank you Bonnie and Rob for the tour!! :)

[@LupDiesel]

Thank you for watching!~ She was amazing! What a great time and you're right, the amount of knowledge is so immense! These are the types of tours I love.

[@dgstanks7447]

I just turned 57 and my fish room only has half that many tanks, with no auto water change either, total respect to her, god bless her, I wish her many more years with her hobby

[@hardybryan]

Gotta love her no nonsense answers. 90% of the time it's "Yeah" or "No". Only expands when she needs to. Seriously, gotta love OG's.

[@FatherFish]

I love Bonnie's fish room. I have known many old timers like Bonnie. They teach by watching them at work in their fish rooms. What a grand tradition.

[@heidisfishtank7543]

I have just seen a glimpse into my future! This woman is amazing!

[@udayakumar.s163]

You did just time travelled into the future!!

[@JJordan1012]

She makes me miss my grandma more than I already did.

[@Bella-sm2yf]

JJordan1012 I feel it man. Just hold on to the memories

[@WendyW7508]

What a treasure in the fish hobby! I aspire to be like her some day. God bless you Bonnie 😊

[@traplordadrian7053]

Rob the lady looked so happy to show you her fish room, it warmed my heart! Great video 👍

[@LupDiesel]

She was awesome! What a great time it was :)

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Only 2 minutes in and it's already amazing!! Bonnie is so cool!

[@LupDiesel]

I love her so much haha I smiled so much editing this video :)

[@TheBudgetAquarist]

They look like Philippine blues Nope Lol. She's a riot

[@LupDiesel]

hahahaha I know, right? She had me cracking up

[@dracosai3530]

Rip I don’t get it

[@lyzzylabelle]

Yes I had the same fish sold as smokey blue pearl scales they r lovely

[@collinskj1963]

This lady knows her fish, her aquariums all look so clean and healthy.

[@3D1ofakind]

Fishkeeping is great. Glad she's still thriving after 50 years in the hobby!

[@MbunaMarcus]

She's amazing...wow and the quality of those tanks and species are outstanding

[@capj64]

She can sell the metal tanks to reptile owners. Unique tanks

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

How the f#$k can anyone thumbs down this little woman and her 50 years experience?

[@reptidan]

“They are all my favorite” spoken like a true hobbyist

[@magdavaughan9370]

The tanks are amazing. So clean and crystal cool. Bonnie you rock

[@magdavaughan9370]

Clean and crystal clear!

[@LupDiesel]

For an older gal, she gets things done!

[@marsworld7513]

Awesome video. I wanna be like Bonnie when I grow up.

[@LupDiesel]

haha keep with the hobby, you will :)

[@marsworld7513]

Flip Aquatics - LupDiesel I've had fish of and on for about 33 years . Currently on. have 3 tanks.

[@bruceevans3476]

Grandma, what a big fish room you have . 👍

[@sefmijares9477]

It's cool to have a grandma like that!! Hahaha

[@yummibacon3155]

I love her 😭😭😭❤❤❤ She is an amazing person. You can tell just looking at her.

[@lorenzoedgar6111]

Got electrocuted and flew across the room at that age and just brushes it off. A GOD AMONGST PEOPLE.

[@RustyPawz]

Honestly this happened to me as a kid with my first tank. But it was a short in the air pump that got me.

[@dangerupclose]

She is the great grandchild of Poseidon and Zeus. Must have felt nostalgic to her.

[@genisisarmstrong5896]

That comes with age..

[@isaaccuervo147]

The definition of electrocuted is dying by shock. She was never electrocuted.

[@dangerupclose]

@@isaaccuervo147 you are wrong. Because shock on it's own can also mean just getting scared or surprised. Should have put in "electrical" in that sentence. But still come on you know what the guy is talking about...this isn't a courtroom.

[@Waldpulver-Backshop]

Such a lovely granny, god bless her 👍

[@tic857]

I feel called out. Recently experiencing burn out and anxiety and I got into aquascaping and snails. And I can spend 1-2 hours just watching it when I'm having a bad day.

[@craigfrancis984]

I love this lady!

[@LupDiesel]

You and me both Craig!

[@craigfrancis984]

I have family in Ohio, I wish I could work with yall. Such a positive attitude and all the building and aquariums.... dream come true lol

[@AQUAPROS]

Crushin it fam

[@gordonramsay1637]

AQUAPROS nice to see you here

[@CarolynnMc01]

I loved this .....over two years later! thank you.

[@vishalbhandwalkar4580]

I just want to hug the granny she is really awesome

[@RogueAquariums]

Fish keeping, OG style. 😁This lady is a plethora of info yet she’s outgoing and helpful. Thanks for the tour

[@Holdontight1123]

This video was incredible. Filled with knowledge! Its good to hear from a 50 year veteran! I listened to every word!

[@businessnik]

I'm in the hobby 30 years. I appreciated hearing she had a hard time keeping Shrimp. I can keep Discus, but can't succeed with Rams, seemingly ever. Even after 50 years, there are still challenges, and that's part of what makes this hobby fun. It's like leveling up with each more challenging species. All her fish are beautiful, clean, and healthy. Love it!

[@floaterxjaY]

3:17 basically sums up that fish room with that expression “wooo a a a owww”

[@JustNice980]

Awesome to hear buffalo mentioned. It's my home city! Lots of fish nuts here in the 716!

[@ReeferGil]

Really awesome that you covered her tanks. She looks like she appreciated you.

[@Billdoggie]

Aquarium gazing is a great therapy.

[@phillydonlos8645]

Wow. I just came across this video. The metal tank brought back so many memories for me. That was my first tank. I had one 28 years ago I was 15. The internet might kill me nowadays for having 2 Oscar's in a 29 gallon metal tank. I just got back into the hobby 3 years ago, while out of work for an injury. This lady is awesome man, great video.

[@PriscillaMKArt]

Awww she's adorable.

[@LupDiesel]

hahaha i love her :D

[@htc148]

"someone put an ad out on the computer..." god i love that...

[@TheBudgetAquarist]

When you askef her how she got through life I had the funniest feeling she was going to say "Smoked Tarrington's." What a great gal Thank you so much for the interview and tell her we wish her all the best.

[@LupDiesel]

hahaha that's funny! I will definitely tell her when I see her next :)

[@mjmj2860]

I love her boy she still works hard on her fish! Good for her. 🐠👍

[@jimmygimbal]

I freaking love her!!! Hope this video never gets thumbed down!

[@sabbath3787]

"uhhh they're called Marci's".. "Cold Marcis, okay" lol :) awesome video tho :)

[@Rupert1213]

lol

[@andrewb.5996]

She is a bloody legend.

[@ChongChiuSenMaharaj]

My salutations to her dedication towards her hobby!

[@billmc8964]

Bonnie, You are truly an inspiration! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@catfishcave379]

Bonnie has some amazing looking fish. Whomever is buying them is getting some goodies. I remember metaframe tanks, but that brass tank is a treasure. Someone needs to get all these long time hobbyists together and let them swap stories... with a camera running of course. Nice video!

[@fishtropiccanada4747]

Ya doubt I could find my comment from 3 years ago !!! But hey 👋 almost 1 million views on this little sweet one ☝️

[@lindatintop]

Such a great lady!! I have 50+ years in too, but nothing like her experience. The little old tanks were some of my first tanks, nostalgia.....

[@HeatherNielsenScarletAquatics]

Bonnie is amazing! So is her fishroom! :-)

[@LupDiesel]

Thank you Heather! Bonnie will love reading these comments

[@TheeExecrationist]

Great tour, I regret that I have but one "like" to give!

[@LupDiesel]

haha thank you so much Riley!

[@BigShrimpin416]

Wow! She has beautiful tanks!!! How cool that she does this!! She is a special one of a kind lady!!

[@KoiAquaponics]

This grandma has a deadpan look when she doesn't smile, it's hilarious.

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

I swear this lady is me in the future lol I love fish !

[@notaxforlove]

Its really expensive in the long run to do trial and error. Information for us is so easily available. A salute to such legendary fish keepers.

[@jacobbeatty2957]

It's not a distraction, it's a passion

[@emilyjackson]

Love this video! It's actually a coincidence for me because this video was posted on my fishaversary! It was my 3 year reunion of fishkeeping. :D

[@ed1501]

Great video but I'm concerned for Bonnie. If you start a go fund me to raise money to install GFI breakers for Bonnie's fish room I'll be the first one to contribute. Lets make that fish room safe.

[@turtle2pond]

I also noticed she had a power strip flat on the floor.

[@raechel381]

Tiffany N should they not be flat on the floor?

[@aquatictints760]

Rae chel no they should be up with a drip loop so if water drips it doesn’t go into the outlets and electrocute someone or start a fire. However I also need to get my power strips off the floor 😳😬

[@raechel381]

Aquatic Tints ohhh ok. I thought that they shouldn’t be flat lol even when they’re not being used for fish tanks lol

[@TheChemisch]

Simple lights, simple pumps barely pulls any power. Even with 50 tanks that would be no worse than a couple hair dryers running.

[@sandyrak-salerno3705]

Bless her soul she is so sweet It touches my heart to see people take care of each other and of animals I pray she has many beautiful years ahead of her 😊

[@ratstarone]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 amen in Jesus name

[@starlamorgan9776]

Precious lady. Her aquariums are beautiful so clean and well maintained

[@chrismeredith5605]

Really enjoyed that tour! Bonnie's such a sweetheart :)

[@LupDiesel]

She is :) Thanks for watching Chris!

[@chrismeredith5605]

You're quite welcome Rob.

[@Fishtory]

She is my new hero. Awesome Awesome video Rob!

[@usetobeasurferchick]

Fish are definitely cathartic. I am 62 and am finally able to indulge my fish habit. Four aquariums and counting. I have a debilitating lung condition that makes life difficult but when I'm at my big natural pond or with my aquariums, I am HAPPY.

[@TheFakeyCakeMaker]

Bonnie you total legend! Inspirational woman!

[@ydin77]

So lovely!

[@FlynnsFishForum]

This video really inspired me. Thank you so much for sharing, Rob!

[@kanealson5200]

Some videos on youtube should get awards for having an indefinable quality. No category, just great. Like this one.

[@adityapsarmah3486]

thank u for 50 years of experience

[@dewit3227]

I might have missed it, but what was Bonnie's first fish? Loved to watch! Looks all amazing!

[@robertfletcher3421]

That was so good and eye-catching. Bonnie is such a wonderful person.

[@LupDiesel]

Agree 100%! What a woman. I love meeting people like this

[@midnull6009]

I keep coming back to this video. :)

[@pagewhite8177]

Wow! What a treat. Thank you for bringing this to us.

[@dysemkho1293]

I can see the future pf solid gold aquatics 😍

[@yanjijay6752]

Wow amazing so many tanks

[@LupDiesel]

For an old lady, she gets it done!~

[@tsfcancerman]

I got fish when i worked and had problem sleeping at night before going to work, and the tanks sounds and relaxing view made me fall asleep every night

[@fishseason101]

Wow Finally KZbin dropped me a gem video.... thank you for this I'm subscribed for sure

[@fishseason101]

Joey slay em is a good fish KZbinr I liked catch em all at one time, now he seams to stress out his fish to no end

[@AcuarioSbd]

WoW that last the truth is that it is incredible everything that the lady has, it is a pleasure to know and see from so much experience good video greetings from Spain mate

[@violahopsalot162]

That was a fun video. It's nice to see that people enjoy that hobby for such a long time

[@LupDiesel]

Thank you :) I agree, it is so good to see.

[@chrisdavidson3180]

I just love how you treat/ love your guests. 🤙

[@paulhutchinson3404]

Thank you for this fishroom tour. She is the BEST! My favorite video all time❤

[@prateeksrinivas]

Best tour❤️

[@LupDiesel]

Thank you :)

[@044aquatics5]

Great fish room

[@LupDiesel]

Thank you :)

[@sarahwood8713]

bless her shes not a people person much is she lol, but shes a fish person :D thats even better, lucky fish to have her looking after them, so much love goes in xxx

[@sarahpauline4904]

I love Bonnie's fish room more than I think any other I have seen. She is the best.

[@double_o_dan]

what are these auctions i keep hearing about?

[@1invag]

"I used it until one day I got electrocuted" 😂

[@Retired-sw5ye]

I have never unfortunately met an older person who is SO young. God Bless You Bonnie.

[@memeguyTM]

You go lady. What a wonderful collection.

[@Elysian777]

Does 42 years (plus import export business) count as being an OG? I would love to be Bonnies neighbor- we could have so much fun!

[@genisisarmstrong5896]

I think anything over 30 yrs exp would qualify as OG. So, your good 👌🏾 I have about 33 yrs experience. I'm an OG too 😎