You may be surprised

[@RachelOLeary]

I took out a TON of tanks and sold off quite a lot of my fish. I am excited to have a smaller fishroom that will be easier to maintain as well as the idea of getting some new fish!

[@mrek2068]

It looks beautiful.

[@laurasutton4057]

Good for you. This will all ow you more time for you and the other things you like to do. Your fish room looks calm now and a great hangout. Best wishes to you!

[@coelacanth9311]

Did the newts/salamanders turn up then or did you get more?

[@eues803]

I think that you made the right move, it's better to have less tank and much more time for you to dedicate yourself to them, transforming them in great beautifully tanks.

[@billyd.8753]

Happy for you Rachel. Your the best!

[@TankTested]

I am extremely surprised but also really happy with the decisions you’ve made! Your basement still looks incredible, but it looks much more manageable. I bet that will make the hobby more fun!!! Great work Rachel!

[@RachelOLeary]

Thanks Alex. It was tough taking down all those tanks, but I think it will be worth it for sure.

[@matthewbowers1587]

Looks amazing Rachel! We know you have had a tough time over the last couple of years, but the community fully supports you, and we just want you to carry on making fantastic content that inspires us (if you still want to) 😄 Lots of love from the UK xx

[@philcarlino6942]

Rachel, you did a great job. Things look to be in good order. It’s tough to sell off stuff and downsize but every time I bite off more than I can chew I find that simplifying things really sparks new interest and enthusiasm towards my hobby. I can’t wait to see how things go from here. Hope you’re staying safe and take care.

[@RachelOLeary]

i like to think of it as concentrating my efforts

[@dennisfeldmann7399]

A newt when did you find them? I may have missed a video or 2

[@RachelOLeary]

I didn't, they were the juries I got at the same time

[@adeloot9591]

I was going to ask the same question so thanks for asking Dennis and thanks Rachael for keeping with the hobby and continuing to encourage your many online fans and friends. Your videos on your travels were also really captivating… thanks for everything you do. Ade from London in the UK

[@robertforrest7956]

It still looks like Rachel's in charge, all organized and clean. The tanks are awesome as always. Lace plant is still beautiful!!! The goldfish are cute as ever. Things have certainly grown! Thanks Rachel, glad to see some of the kids again. 😄 Have a great one. 👋

[@tkaiser2086]

Miss seeing videos of your fish room. It was always educational relaxing and just amazing looking at your setups.

[@MacPNW]

Still looks great. I'm glad the chair in the center of the room hasn't changed. That's the one thing I need to be able to fit into my next fish room.

[@RachelOLeary]

gotta have my resting spot! It also doubles as a spare room lol

[@sherriedixon3889]

So glad you're still producing content. Looking at your tanks, I know it's not just a hobby to you. It is probably one of the things that keeps you going. Be kind to yourself ... always. Blessings.

[@tkaiser2086]

Tanks look great. You should do another fish room tour. I’ve always enjoyed your videos!!

[@aizekcasaubon2328]

I've missed you, it is nice to see your fish room back, and so beautifully thriving.

[@crawfordwice]

Wow looks amazing. Your scapes look like slices of nature. Those goldfish are so happy/healthy they are barely recognizable as goldfish! We miss you! Lots of love. You got me started on the right track. Thanks.

[@rolandtraynor]

You now have created an Oasis of aquariums for yourself to sit and enjoy .. Less is more . Your well being will greatly enjoy the down time in that well placed chair in there , Thank you

[@Purelychem]

Keep doing what makes YOU happiest and the community will be there for it. Happy holidays! Looking forward to sharing in your adventures in 2022! (if that’s the plan)

[@LiSa.N.J]

Less work/maintenance is always More enjoyable. Fish room looks great Rachel. Kick back and enjoy it.

[@nopetsallowed6399]

yes, sometimes less is more. Looks great, good job! Canada. Had to go back and watch again!

[@shesellsfish]

I'll bet there's a lot less pressure and a lot more enjoyment of what you kept, and what new fish you're going to be getting. The fish room downsize looks great. Seems more serene and peaceful, a place to relax and truly enjoy, rather than a business you have to stress over all the time. 👍❤👍

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I think you did a fantastic job it looks absolutely lovely. It's going to be really nice to have the time to focus on the beautiful tanks you've kept and hopefully get you some new fish too!! The Bicher and Gar are some of my favorite fish that you have!! Always look forward to seeing what you're going to be sharing next!! I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy holidays!!🙏🌿🐟🌿💚🤗

[@shanetaylor1858]

Wooooowwww!!! Ya know, it is still very you! I love the momentum I'm seeing and I hope things keep on for you! As always, you ate my hero!

[@laura101cookies]

What a fab change/update to the fish room, been following you for a few years now. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2022❤️

[@Empress_Moth]

Wow!!! It looks totally different from when I last saw it. It was SO packed when I came to visit and buy some stuff in person last year. Looks so neat and open! I hope its more easy for you to manage. Would love to see a more in-depth tour of each tank you still have!! Do you still have your turtle???

[@RachelOLeary]

I gave the turtle to a school program. I loved him but was worried about committing to another animal that lives for so long. I already have the big boys written into my will

[@Empress_Moth]

@@RachelOLeary Gotcha, makes sense! Glad to hear you made the best decision for you and him long term.

[@bethfoort]

Your fish room looks great! It seems more calm, and relaxing. I look forward to seeing the new fishies!

[@VandenbergeStudio]

I really enjoy this new style of editing! Excited to continually support you! Always look forward to your content!!!!

[@marcuswhitmore6622]

Pleased you are doing what is best for you. 15 aquariums is still a lot and way more manageable. As always I’m looking forward to your next chapter Rachel. 🐠

[@RachelOLeary]

Much appreciated!!

[@kegboy12]

That looks very manageable. You can sit in the centre and enjoy all the tanks at once.

[@cosmoplakat9549]

I had to downsize to one 10-gal for Cosmo (plus an empty 5 gal minibow quarantine tank) when I moved in September. Then Cos died and I have not had fish since, but have shrimp and a nerite snail and am cycling a new 20L. I can't wait for fish again!!

[@RachelOLeary]

sorry to hear about cosmo

[@cosmoplakat9549]

@@RachelOLeary it took a few weeks to get over his death- it was bc of a very stupid mistake, and I questioned fishkeeping altogether after. But it's the only thing that helps my depression. I'm glad I held on to his plants and kept them in a medicated bucket for several weeks. They're now in the 20L, almost ready for fish...

[@debbiebamrick4020]

Rachael your fish room looks great! Much more manageable for you now. I look forward to seeing your updates and your new fish. TYFS and have a wonderful holiday season!

[@haygee]

It looks so nice! I just wanna sit in that comfy looking chair, watch the fish and take a nap. Must be so much more relaxing bow that you’ve downsized to a comfortable level

[@TheChefmike66]

Thanks! I love your aesthetic. Very beautiful.

[@C1461-l1b]

you are by far my favorite youtuber. I look forward to every time you post and I’m excited to see what you have coming. hope you’re doing well

[@Rlk-l9x]

Looks so much easier. I’d love sitting there and enjoying the views just chillin. Perfect 👍

[@shieraseastar9300]

Good for you, Rachel! 15 is SO much more manageable with your busy schedule! Have a happy holiday, my best to you and your family! xo

[@HausFit]

Along with the music Rachel and the video video footage this is a great video and I'm happy for you as long as you're happy!! You bring a ton of inspiration and happiness to my daily so I'm I'm extremely grateful for your channel

[@FoxyFoxyShazam]

The penjing is growing in really nicely! It looks like you dismantled the algaescape with the wild bettas (can't remember if they were imbellis or macrostoma....maybe one of the other species?) Either way while I'll miss seeing some of your other tanks, I imagine your hobby has become much more enjoyable instead of work with the downsizing! Looks like heaven down there.

[@RachelOLeary]

That tank is still there, but I did sell the fish. Now its more of a crypt farm, lol. And yes, I needed the fishroom to be something I could theoretically manage with one day of water changes a week, instead of a daily slog.

[@jodymckenzie3828]

The stiphodon is a looker! Hoping you feel rejuvenated and refreshed. The fish room looks fab!

[@kenjiro2676]

At the end of the day, if you enjoy it more, that’s all that matters. A hobby should be something people look forward too, if that means lessening your load we are all for it. Your fish look incredible. My favorite species of fish I wish to keep are gars, but unfortunately I will need a permit to own one.

[@scotncan]

I have been really missing your content as I consider you amongst the most inspirational aquarium hobbyists. It was a nice surprise to see this video.

[@TMAquatics]

Very nice. Looks more manageable. 👍

[@robertdekane6153]

The small fish and plants are so relaxing and beautiful. Keep doing what you have been doing.

[@TheNiiiNjAClan]

I love it, selfishly, I miss YOU! I enjoy your knowledge of things, lots of people will hide their intelligence, don’t ever do that! Thanks for the inspiration and goals to strive for. Please keep you toe in the waters…we all love you! Thanks Rachel💛🦐🐟

[@assiahinarkansas]

Looks great Rachel!

[@debbiewilhelm3035]

Looks great. Hope to see more videos from you. Notice someone missing in the big boy tank.

[@RachelOLeary]

Nope, the Cuban is still in there . They all are there

[@genesisrivera2970]

Omg! I love it :-) Happy to see you well and thriving! Happy holidays and a prosperous 2022 to ya!

[@RachelOLeary]

And back at ya!

[@genxjason]

Your fishroom really reflects an outdoor natural vibe. Very beautiful.

[@marciesocal7553]

It looks amazing ! I see you found the newt/s Can’t wait for the next video giving us all the details 🤞

[@alaasaadat7045]

Always my favourite is the hillstream tank ❤️ finally after 3 years i break my 50 gallon tank to copy a mini hillstream tank Always an inspiration 🌺

[@obama-bin-thanos7484]

Hey I just wanted to say you've been a huge inspiration in the hobby, you're actually one of the bigger educators in the community that I really really like because you don't just focus on big expensive and flashy fish. You give a lot of attention to and educate about the creatures interesting behaviors and their biology along with their role in the ecosystem as well. You give a much more scientific view to fish keeping which I love, your videos have helped me memorize species by their scientific names as well. I really believe you have one of the best KZbin channels about fish keeping. I really wouldn't recommend any youtubers to novice keepers but not complete beginners other than you. I hope you have fun with the new fish room, It looks amazing and less tanks makes it looks more spacious and nice.

[@rachaelmaass3312]

Looking great, girl! Sometimes, downsizing is the best way forward. I am very excited to see what comes next for you. BTW that Madagascar Lace looked AMAZING. hope mine gets that lush one day. :)

[@jesusduribe2654]

I noticed great job can't wait to see new fish

[@LittleLargeMouth]

Wishing you a happy new year!

[@argonautilus9540]

It looks so open and manageable! It must have been tough to downsize but so satisfying to have it done.

[@RachelOLeary]

It was really hard, so much work, so many messes and so hard to choose what to keep

[@johnlos906]

Simplicity is the key to a peaceful mind. Enjoy Rachel.

[@vampgaia]

I’ve been downsizing myself. Yours looks great. I’m curious to see what new fish you get. Happy holidays!

[@MarksShrimpTanks]

Love what you do and I love the fact you like the outdoors as much as I do, I go camping on lakes a lot here in Norway, if i can recommend you a channel to look at called lost lakes :)

[@RachelOLeary]

I will check it out! Thanks

[@62873milehi420]

Cool you found the newt

[@RachelOLeary]

no, there are 3 juvies that I got at the same time that I still have.

[@melissafoster1228]

Looks awesome lady! And so do you these days. 😉 Hate I missed out on those fish for sale. Keep on trucking……..👍🏻

[@MehHalfhearted]

That penjang has grown in extremely well. I would love to at least see a good photo of it sometime, its just gorgeous.

[@RachelOLeary]

It looks best from a distance with a squint but I will try and post something on instagram

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

the fish room looks awesome !I find I enjoy the hobby a lot more with the 12 tanks I have now , than when I had 50 tanks . looking forward to what's coming next from you Rachel . also , no hair reveal ???????

[@paulanoakes5358]

When it becomes too much work, takes some of the enjoyment. Room looks awesome. Looking forward for the next chapter. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year's 💗.

[@oscarshah480]

The room looks great! Thanks for sharing

[@ladygrndr9424]

This was a lovely video to destress to. I understand downsizing--I only have a 15 gallon anymore with fish/plants in it, because...life. But that one tank makes me happy. I still don't mess around with it as much as I should, but the fish are healthy and happy and that's what matters

[@joppek77]

Looks good! It can be a good learning process to be forced to downsize. It means you have to ask yourself the difficult question: "what would I keep if I could only keep X things", and the stuff that remains is that which you _really_ enjoy keeping!

[@RachelOLeary]

Yea, I still want to downsize further, but this was really hard on me so I am doing it in stages to see how I do.

[@sunsetjen2398]

Tanks looking great, naturally wild with happy fishes 😘 Was that one of the elusive salamanders? 😜👍🥰🐟🌿🍂

[@aquaticma]

I'm recently doing this myself. I love the hobby but reality hit hard after the pandemic started last year. With 23 plus tanks and hundreds of fish, plus family and a house, it became a chore, not a place of enjoyment. Definitely love what you've done and completely understand the reasoning behind it! Looks great Rachel! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ingesexton811]

Honestly it seems so much calmer. Idk I can’t explain it.

[@peepslostsheep]

Did the lost newts show back up? Ot would be amazing if they did! I am glad you can enjoy your fishroom more now! It still looks amazing.

[@jonwebb5241]

Looks great , and more manageable as others have said.

[@Golden.FishTank]

15 tanks is still a lot of tanks to keep up with, I have 7 of them and it keeps me busy! your fish room looks very nice and will be way easier for you to maintain and leave you with more time to enjoy your fish!

[@1Bibliotech]

It looks great, sometimes change is what you need in order to move forward!

[@billriddleberger5484]

That looks really nice. Must be a lot nicer as far as up keep. And now you can sit and see all your tanks from your chair. Did you keep any of you tanks as snail and shrimp or did the just become part of a community tank?

[@clairebreuleux2928]

Wouahou ! You're doing an amazing work !

[@dianewarren3188]

Do you have good place to get fish & plants? Love seeing everything you have done 😉

[@70Harper]

Looks great!! Do you still have your stink pot?

[@johnmartin4650]

All looks good ……cutting back a bit …easier to care for…God bless you

[@andremagalhaes8152]

Nice fish room Rachel! Muito legal! Greetings from Brazil!!

[@njvikings1]

Have you contimplated a lazy susan attachment for under your chair? Allowing a roundabout look at the aquaria? Also, i cannot find the "featherstone" might i sugest a vinegar test, lemon juice?

[@RachelOLeary]

It swivels

[@miguelsoliz772]

Those look like some happy ember tetras 👍👍👍

[@mirsad96]

Looking great Rachel!

[@DRaquascapes]

YAAAAAY.. you're feeling better!!!!

[@sharronmiller451]

I wasn’t expecting this so soon. I hope it makes you happy! ❤️❤️❤️

[@FatherFish]

Beautiful fish room. Do you have any deep substrate tanks?

[@RachelOLeary]

No

[@larryrochester]

Looks amazing

[@booomkalani]

Love seeing the goldfish are still there. ;)

[@RachelOLeary]

They are likely getting a new home with someone who is building a giant tank for them, but until they have the right home, they will stay put.

[@ccsorn]

It is so important that we allow ourselves to grow as hobbyist to maintain our passion. Congratulations!

[@chphqchef8000]

I so wish the summer didn’t get to hot here so I can have a fish room tryied last year and the heat boil my shrimp when I was at work 😢

[@emmitstewart1921]

One thing I see you didn't lose is that big soft chair. That's the most important thing, taking time to relax and enjoy life.

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 Sure that wasn’t easy, mentally or physically. Still looks great. Was thinking about you the other day. Wanted to ask you a question. Did you ever find a way to keep alge off (for the most part) off of the shells for Shellies? When I move across the country in a few months, really want to make my 125 a Shellie & rock dwellers tank. But don’t think family will enjoy it with alge covered shells. And want to put maybe Anubes (say it with confidence, right?) on the rocks. I’m not one to change things a lot so shouldn’t need much fish or plants at least to start, just let um do what they do. Thanks Rachel, hopefully you are your family have a great Christmas.🖖

[@RachelOLeary]

I didn't find a way, they werent covered in algae, they just turned green. Very odd.

[@UkAmphibians]

Brilliant fish room 🐸💚🐸

[@jeffhester1443]

Your tanks and critters are just beautiful. I really like the ^dinosour^ tank. Thank you. ^

[@petelogiudice8202]

Everything looks pristine and natural at the same time.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Nice job, welcome to the getting too old club. ;-)

[@RachelOLeary]

ha! it sucks!

[@Rsour4Life]

I am glad to see you're still around. It is crazy to compare your first videos to what you have now. It truly is inspirational. I never expected to enjoy nano fish as much as I do and I owe so much of it to you. I recently got back into the hobby with a 29 planted and a trip to TPP (you know what I mean!) Any chance you're gonna be selling shrimp again? (I am looking for Bloody Mary's and would love to support you, also want purple mystery snails and a clown or similar pleco).

[@larryhenry719]

Awesome wish I had that kind of space.

[@patrickfo967]

The fishroom is looking great ! Is stinky still there, how‘s he doing?

[@envyfreeman3807]

Great tanks hell'va setup beautiful

[@PlantedPSC]

Everything looks awesome!!👏🤙

[@jaymiller3238]

I wish you could have actually talked to us about it, Rachel. Videos with just musical background are easier to make, I'm sure, but I follow you because I value your wisdom, personality and experience. I will say I'm glad you have the courage to evolve as a hobbyist in the limelight. I'm sure it's not easy when you have to balance your private and public life. I'll keep watching.

[@RachelOLeary]

This was just a teaser, meant to be short and sweet for those who are familiar with my old fishroom. It is not easier to make them this way, but it was pretty emotional for me, and I just didn't feel like talking about it but couldn't go forward with future videos without addressing the downsize in some way. I have to say, I miss my anonymity and feel a great responsibility to those of you who are invested in me. I very much think of it as a community and take my role seriously

[@RachelOLeary]

Also, I appreciate your honest feedback and will be doing a more complete video when it's not so fresh.

[@Sannive]

It looks fantastic

[@rlwkirsch]

Looks great!

[@christoddheartogold]

Looking great!