Woah, I took ONE DAY off from writing to catch up on some work stuff, and you'd think that the earth stopped turning...!:help:
I must have gotten 18 emails asking if I was okay yesterday! I guess that I've become a part of some of your daily rituals..just like the tall decaf no-whip latte you pick up at Starbucks. Actually, I'm honored! And no worries, I'm back at it today.
Let's kick off my version of an abbreviated week with a philosophical rant...Cue the "New Age" sitar music, please...
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." -Plutarch
As I often do, I was chatting “reefs” with a customer the other day, and the conversation inevitably turned towards our upcoming aquarium projects. If you read my blog regularly, it’s no secret that I have a healthy respect for freshwater aquariums and the hobbyists who work with them. Although I’ve dabbled with a few FW nanos here and there, it’s been almost a decade since I last kept a freshwater tank of any significance. While I was waxing on about my ideas for a small, but “high concept” freshwater display I am building in my office, the guy on the other end, who has several FW tanks, causally remarked, “I always felt that you have to walk before you can run. If it were me, I’d get back in the game with a basic tank with good fundamentals, instead of going off on some exotic concept tank.”
Yeah, this is not gonna happen for me right off the bat....
After initially dismissing him in my head, I thought about it. Those words actually hit home! Here I was- the guy who’s always provoking the hobby to push the limits by trying new marine concept aquaria-and I’m trying to jump back into the freshwater side and trying to go from 0-100 in 2 seconds flat…why? The modern freshwater world has evolved over the years until the state of the art is practically unknown to me. and I’m trying to do the same thing I do in saltwater. I mean, this guy was right: It’s okay to push for the outside of the envelope after you’ve mastered the fundamentals, but the key word is AFTER. Have my decades of marine experience left me…arrogant? Perhaps. Or maybe just a bit jaded.
Yes, and yes! :tongue:
I'm NOT going back to a goldfish bowl.
I was thinking about what’s wrong with slowing down, checking your ego at the door, and absorbing the knowledge and acquiring the skills that you need to be successful? Nothing. Why not do some research, experiment, or talk to someone who has more experience than you do? It’s never too late to learn something new, or open up your mind to the possibilities.
Free your mind, and your reef will follow...Philippe Grosjean's did.
Perhaps, those of us in the marine hobby are so caught up in the minutiae of our obsession, such as the debate over which coral is the “true” “Lokani,” or if that little Zoa colony in the back of the tank has “true lineage” back to “Tubbs”, that we tend to forget to learn about the behavioral habits of our Genicanthus bellus, how to hatch brine shrimp, or how to set a canister filter As much as we think that we are “masters of the universe”, we always have another think to learn, or even to be humbled by. That’s the frustration-and/or pleasure (depending upon how you look at it) of our hobby, right?
Yeah.
I’ve learned over the years, along with a whole bunch of other fairly successful long-term hobbyists- that, in order to be a better hobbyist, you really need to be a better student of the art and science of aquatics, willing and open-minded enough to listen and learn from others more experienced than yourself-and sometimes, to tune into clues from those less experienced, too. What that means is not just knowing the flow rate of the latest titanium needle wheel pump or the chip configuration of the hottest LED lighting unit- it means is that you should willingly embrace the fundamentals, such as the relationship between our captive animals and the aquarium environment, the art of a good water change, or interpreting a phosphate test result.
By immersing yourself in the art and science of aquatics, you ‘re definitely going to evolve as a hobbyist, and become a more humble, more balanced, and ultimately- more successful- aquarist. An aquarist for life, who will be able to pass on the wisdom gained through trial and error-triumph and failure- to another generation of aquarists.
Groovy.
The simple conversation with the other reefer compelled me to re-examine my relationship with the world of aquatcs, and to reflect back on the journey I’ve made so far in the hobby, and the fascinating road that lies ahead. My philosophy is not simply a return to the basics of the hobby. Rather, it’s an adjustment of my hobby mindset, and the embracing of a more open, refreshing outlook.
Ohh, the possibilities.
I want to push myself a little outside of my hobby “comfort zone”, and learn a few things that I’ve never done before. Arrgh… I guess that means that I’m actually going to have to shut up and listen for a change.
This is actually gonna be harder than I thought.
It’s no secret to my readers that I have a little more than a causal interest in the art of marine aquascaping. I have been blessed to travel, write, and speak on the topic all over the U.S. and internationally, sharing what I’ve learned on this topic. Just maybe, I’ve helped inspire others to try new things. It has been quite rewarding, yes, but what do I really know? What more can I learn that will make me better at my craft? How can I push myself to improve?
By approaching things differently…and listening!
It’s always time to learn more and to embark on some new missions of “aquatic enlightenment.”
Well, I’ve been doing just that. I’ve been doing a lot of hiking here in the coastal mountains of Los Angeles lately, spending some time walking the creeks and canyons, and observing the aquatic environments there, collecting some rocks on my local beaches for my freshwater tanks, and just observing. I’ve been learning from nature-and from other hobbyists, just what is involved in the art of aquatic rock/wood selection and arrangement- and this has had direct “cross-over impact” on my marine work. As my friend, master aquascaper John Ciotti, told me, if you sort of “listen” to rocks and wood, they tell you a story that will help you create the aquascape of your dreams.
That thought resonated within me.
Jeff Senske of ADG listens to the rocks in his head...and look at his work!
I’ve enjoyed diving on tropical reefs to really observe the interactions between animals and their environment. Particularly of interest to me are the social behaviors of small fishes and corals within specific ecological niches. Hopefully, I’ll do some more dives soon and I will gain some more insight about these topics firsthand, that will help me make better stocking decisions and execute more appropriate aquascaping concepts.
I’ve spent a lot more time talking to my friends who are involved in breeding marine fishes, to glean some insight into just what it is that they are doing to make their animals comfortable enough to reproduce in captivity. Learning a new set of rules and a new way of looking at husbandry from people truly in the know. This has certainly helped me learn even more about aquatic husbandry, even if I don’t intend to breed fishes at the moment.
I’m excited to continue my new journeys of aquatic self-discovery, and I urge you to do the same. It’s been a fascinating journey thus far- perhaps even a bit humbling at times- but the knowledge I’m gaining and experiences I’m having have made the journey well worth it. And most importantly, the people whom I’ve met along the way have made life that much richer.
Go where the road takes you...
Keep learning. Keep discovering. Keep pushing. But above all, keep sharing.
Now, about that empty tank in my office. I’ve been thinking…
Just shut up, Fellman…
Yeah, I'm back.
Until next time.
Stay wet
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
I must have gotten 18 emails asking if I was okay yesterday! I guess that I've become a part of some of your daily rituals..just like the tall decaf no-whip latte you pick up at Starbucks. Actually, I'm honored! And no worries, I'm back at it today.
Let's kick off my version of an abbreviated week with a philosophical rant...Cue the "New Age" sitar music, please...
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." -Plutarch
As I often do, I was chatting “reefs” with a customer the other day, and the conversation inevitably turned towards our upcoming aquarium projects. If you read my blog regularly, it’s no secret that I have a healthy respect for freshwater aquariums and the hobbyists who work with them. Although I’ve dabbled with a few FW nanos here and there, it’s been almost a decade since I last kept a freshwater tank of any significance. While I was waxing on about my ideas for a small, but “high concept” freshwater display I am building in my office, the guy on the other end, who has several FW tanks, causally remarked, “I always felt that you have to walk before you can run. If it were me, I’d get back in the game with a basic tank with good fundamentals, instead of going off on some exotic concept tank.”
Yeah, this is not gonna happen for me right off the bat....
After initially dismissing him in my head, I thought about it. Those words actually hit home! Here I was- the guy who’s always provoking the hobby to push the limits by trying new marine concept aquaria-and I’m trying to jump back into the freshwater side and trying to go from 0-100 in 2 seconds flat…why? The modern freshwater world has evolved over the years until the state of the art is practically unknown to me. and I’m trying to do the same thing I do in saltwater. I mean, this guy was right: It’s okay to push for the outside of the envelope after you’ve mastered the fundamentals, but the key word is AFTER. Have my decades of marine experience left me…arrogant? Perhaps. Or maybe just a bit jaded.
Yes, and yes! :tongue:
I'm NOT going back to a goldfish bowl.
I was thinking about what’s wrong with slowing down, checking your ego at the door, and absorbing the knowledge and acquiring the skills that you need to be successful? Nothing. Why not do some research, experiment, or talk to someone who has more experience than you do? It’s never too late to learn something new, or open up your mind to the possibilities.
Free your mind, and your reef will follow...Philippe Grosjean's did.
Perhaps, those of us in the marine hobby are so caught up in the minutiae of our obsession, such as the debate over which coral is the “true” “Lokani,” or if that little Zoa colony in the back of the tank has “true lineage” back to “Tubbs”, that we tend to forget to learn about the behavioral habits of our Genicanthus bellus, how to hatch brine shrimp, or how to set a canister filter As much as we think that we are “masters of the universe”, we always have another think to learn, or even to be humbled by. That’s the frustration-and/or pleasure (depending upon how you look at it) of our hobby, right?
Yeah.
I’ve learned over the years, along with a whole bunch of other fairly successful long-term hobbyists- that, in order to be a better hobbyist, you really need to be a better student of the art and science of aquatics, willing and open-minded enough to listen and learn from others more experienced than yourself-and sometimes, to tune into clues from those less experienced, too. What that means is not just knowing the flow rate of the latest titanium needle wheel pump or the chip configuration of the hottest LED lighting unit- it means is that you should willingly embrace the fundamentals, such as the relationship between our captive animals and the aquarium environment, the art of a good water change, or interpreting a phosphate test result.
By immersing yourself in the art and science of aquatics, you ‘re definitely going to evolve as a hobbyist, and become a more humble, more balanced, and ultimately- more successful- aquarist. An aquarist for life, who will be able to pass on the wisdom gained through trial and error-triumph and failure- to another generation of aquarists.
Groovy.
The simple conversation with the other reefer compelled me to re-examine my relationship with the world of aquatcs, and to reflect back on the journey I’ve made so far in the hobby, and the fascinating road that lies ahead. My philosophy is not simply a return to the basics of the hobby. Rather, it’s an adjustment of my hobby mindset, and the embracing of a more open, refreshing outlook.
Ohh, the possibilities.
I want to push myself a little outside of my hobby “comfort zone”, and learn a few things that I’ve never done before. Arrgh… I guess that means that I’m actually going to have to shut up and listen for a change.
This is actually gonna be harder than I thought.
It’s no secret to my readers that I have a little more than a causal interest in the art of marine aquascaping. I have been blessed to travel, write, and speak on the topic all over the U.S. and internationally, sharing what I’ve learned on this topic. Just maybe, I’ve helped inspire others to try new things. It has been quite rewarding, yes, but what do I really know? What more can I learn that will make me better at my craft? How can I push myself to improve?
By approaching things differently…and listening!
It’s always time to learn more and to embark on some new missions of “aquatic enlightenment.”
Well, I’ve been doing just that. I’ve been doing a lot of hiking here in the coastal mountains of Los Angeles lately, spending some time walking the creeks and canyons, and observing the aquatic environments there, collecting some rocks on my local beaches for my freshwater tanks, and just observing. I’ve been learning from nature-and from other hobbyists, just what is involved in the art of aquatic rock/wood selection and arrangement- and this has had direct “cross-over impact” on my marine work. As my friend, master aquascaper John Ciotti, told me, if you sort of “listen” to rocks and wood, they tell you a story that will help you create the aquascape of your dreams.
That thought resonated within me.
Jeff Senske of ADG listens to the rocks in his head...and look at his work!
I’ve enjoyed diving on tropical reefs to really observe the interactions between animals and their environment. Particularly of interest to me are the social behaviors of small fishes and corals within specific ecological niches. Hopefully, I’ll do some more dives soon and I will gain some more insight about these topics firsthand, that will help me make better stocking decisions and execute more appropriate aquascaping concepts.
I’ve spent a lot more time talking to my friends who are involved in breeding marine fishes, to glean some insight into just what it is that they are doing to make their animals comfortable enough to reproduce in captivity. Learning a new set of rules and a new way of looking at husbandry from people truly in the know. This has certainly helped me learn even more about aquatic husbandry, even if I don’t intend to breed fishes at the moment.
I’m excited to continue my new journeys of aquatic self-discovery, and I urge you to do the same. It’s been a fascinating journey thus far- perhaps even a bit humbling at times- but the knowledge I’m gaining and experiences I’m having have made the journey well worth it. And most importantly, the people whom I’ve met along the way have made life that much richer.
Go where the road takes you...
Keep learning. Keep discovering. Keep pushing. But above all, keep sharing.
Now, about that empty tank in my office. I’ve been thinking…
Just shut up, Fellman…
Yeah, I'm back.
Until next time.
Stay wet
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
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I enjoy reading them at work.
