In this episode I’m basically at that really satisfying point where the hardscape is in, the airline system is in, and it’s time to make it all look intentional. I finish off the sand so the front glass area stays super clean-looking, then I start filling all the annoying gaps around the pipework and the “bubble microphones” with detail gravel. I’m stepping down in particle size—big rocks, then medium, then fine scatter—because it ties everything together and keeps it looking wild and natural, not like a bunch of separate bits plonked in a box. Then we fill the tank up (I’m pumping from the sink at the right temperature), switch everything on, and I finally reveal the bubble curtain. It’s basically like an upside-down waterfall—looks fancy, but I do turn it down because full blast is a bit much. I also explain how I’m running the lights (daylights turned down, keeping blues/greens/reds to make the fish look amazing), why I deliberately didn’t clean the filter (beneficial bacteria and a bit of “gunk” to seed the sterile new setup), and how I’ll condition the water, ghost feed, and give it about a week before the discus go in. After that, it’s plant chaos: loads of epiphytes, mother plants, and a proper plan to keep negative space while still getting big impact in the island areas.