Mark Chen, known best as TMK Aquarist on Instagram, is the owner of Nature Design Studio in Los Angeles specializing in custom aquarium installation and service. He has gained notoriety for a lovely discus planted tank featuring wild discus and a wonderful balance of plants. This holy grail style of aquarium is notoriously challenging, and mark has experienced his share of challenges along the way.

In this conversation Mark and I discuss many points regarding discus planted tanks, drawing on our collective experience and theories. Mark also shares the story of his incredible expedition to wild discus habitats with the legendary Heiko Bleher. Throughout it is an engaging and informative discussion covering a lot of practical knowledge about discus and the business of aquarium installation and service where the two are often at odds with the expectations high end service clients usually have.