So, occasionally I get these bouts of “aquarium indecisiveness.” Do you ever get that? Let me explain. It’s like, I’ll have this awesome plan for stocking the aquarium of been working on for a while; I get this vision of executing on the plan and ending up with an aquarium that looks just like I imagined it would, aquascaped exactly how I envisioned, stocked exactly how I envisioned, and running just like I expected. So, I tediously conceive, design, build, and equip the system. When I finish setting it up, the aquascape that I spent countless sleepless nights conceiving comes together. Then…I stare at the promising, yet unstocked new tank and…edit.
Huh?
Yeah, you heard me, I’ll “edit.”, gradually dissecting my beautiful concept and morphing it into something else. A lot of people will call this process “evolution”, or view it as a necessary stage in the development of a reef aquarium. I call it “ADD” or something.Not sure. All of the sudden, I’ll see an article or a dive video of an overhanging ledge in Papua New Guinea, and my carefully conceived seagrass bed biotope goes out the window. Off we go into a totally different direction!
I’m what I like to classify as a “Perpetual Editor” type of reefing personality.
If reef keeping was so easy, a monkey really could do it!
Now, don’t get me wrong. My core beliefs about reef keeping are typically unchanging..well, they will evolve, as you've seen on these pages. However, I am always open to suggestions to do something better. Sometimes, this is a good thing. I mean, if your idea was to develop a Spotted Stingray community in a 200 gallon tank, that’s a very good thing! “Coming to your senses” is what it’s called. However, my changes are often more subtle: I was planning on stocking an all Acropora system, but ended up creating an “LPS”-dominated biotope instead. Or I tell myself I don’t want any Wrasses in this reef, until I run across an amazing Halichoeres rubracephalus…you know, a chance meeting that throws your whole plan into disarray! Sounds oddly romantic and exciting, only we’re talking about a reef tank, not meeting the girl or guy of your dreams, ya know?
Yeah, it’s a burden, this restless creativity, right? Perhaps it’s an advantage, because it gives me the chance to correct things that would otherwise be disastrous, shortsighted, or otherwise..stupid. Or, perhaps it has stifled some brilliant work. I’d like to think not, but you never know. I greatly admire those of you who can create- and stick- to a plan for your reefs. I can think of a couple of examples from reefing history where reefers have executed exactly what they intended- with amazing results.
Probably the first that comes to mind is the awesome “Drop-off” reef system of Philippe Grosjean of Belgium, which I’ve featured here before. Philippe is a marine biologist by training, and wanted to develop a system that simulated a ledge where the shallow reef structure drops off. This necessitated, among other things, the development of a custom-shaped aquarium, and solving a few other problems, such as lighting, creating adequate flow, etc. The purpose of this piece is not to analyze these tanks, merely to discuss them as an example of “follow though” on the part of the aquarist, so if you want to hear more about this tank, you can find a lot about it online.
Philippe's tank literally takes us to the edge of modern reefing..a cleverly executed plan.
Another one would be the now defunct, but oft-drooled-over 850 gallon reef tank of Steve Weast. This legendary aquarium combined advanced, highly functional hardware design with an aquascape that took into account ratio, perspective, color balance, and viewing angles, to form one of theist iconic, aspirational aquariums of all time. Weast started with a plan, and executed to the letter on every detail. No deviation from plan. None. The result was truly a “reef for the ages.”
Greatness doesn't happen by chance, as Steve Weast's masterpiece attests.[/COLOR]
Look, I’m not saying that you need to have architectural renderings, a monumental checklist, and never deviate for a second in order to have success. Rather, I’m suggesting that conceiving- and sticking to- a plan for your reef is never a bad thing.
On the other hand, the “Perpetual Editor” archetype of reefer, which I am quite familiar with, also has his/her advantages. mainly, the ability to modify a plan as he/she goes if he sees a better way. Almost categorically, the “perpetual editor” has a looser, more flexible approach to reef aquarium planning, construction, and management, and is perhaps more in tune with the latest and greatest trends, techniques, and philosophies of the reefing game.
However, there is a sort of “sub-category” in the “Perpetual Editor” classification…well, actually two: The “Trend Jumper”, who, as the name implies, switches direction at the drop of a hat in order to capitalize on the latest trends, fads, or ideas. The other, what I call an “Active Listener”, will make changes based on discourse with other reefers, who share ways to do the thing that you’re trying to do in a better, more efficient manner.
What kind of "Perpetual Editor" are you? A "Trend Jumper" or an "Active Listener. Or something else entirely?"
One thing about being a “Perpetual Editor” is that you are constantly availing yourself to the latest information, and, in the case of the “Active Listener”, probably having great dialogue with other reefers who have more experience doing what you’re thinking of doing. The online world and social media have enabled the “Active Listener” to develop his or her idea to the ultimate degree. Although, the danger of being an “Active Listener” is that you can easily “lose control” of your plan by listening to every critique, suggestion, and opinion out there. Regardless of your reefing philosophy, a certain degree of independence and individuality is a key requirement.
In the end, isn't it all about the animals? It is, right? Huh? Yes?
And in a way, being a “Perpetual Editor” is not really a bad thing. I mean, you’re always aware of what’s going on in your tank, you’re constantly thinking of improvements, you're totally aware of the “Latest and Greatest” in the hobby, and you are “nimble”- able to change directions on a dime, as they say. So, don’t despair, sufferers of ADD (Which, IMHO is pretty much everyone in the reef keeping world), it helps you be a better, more “agile” hobbyist.
I’d like to hear from those of you out there who “suffer” from this double-edged sword.
Let’s hear your stories, your feelings. Are you a “Perpetual Editor?”
Ponder that…And until next time…
Stay Wet.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
Huh?
Yeah, you heard me, I’ll “edit.”, gradually dissecting my beautiful concept and morphing it into something else. A lot of people will call this process “evolution”, or view it as a necessary stage in the development of a reef aquarium. I call it “ADD” or something.Not sure. All of the sudden, I’ll see an article or a dive video of an overhanging ledge in Papua New Guinea, and my carefully conceived seagrass bed biotope goes out the window. Off we go into a totally different direction!
I’m what I like to classify as a “Perpetual Editor” type of reefing personality.
If reef keeping was so easy, a monkey really could do it!
Now, don’t get me wrong. My core beliefs about reef keeping are typically unchanging..well, they will evolve, as you've seen on these pages. However, I am always open to suggestions to do something better. Sometimes, this is a good thing. I mean, if your idea was to develop a Spotted Stingray community in a 200 gallon tank, that’s a very good thing! “Coming to your senses” is what it’s called. However, my changes are often more subtle: I was planning on stocking an all Acropora system, but ended up creating an “LPS”-dominated biotope instead. Or I tell myself I don’t want any Wrasses in this reef, until I run across an amazing Halichoeres rubracephalus…you know, a chance meeting that throws your whole plan into disarray! Sounds oddly romantic and exciting, only we’re talking about a reef tank, not meeting the girl or guy of your dreams, ya know?
Yeah, it’s a burden, this restless creativity, right? Perhaps it’s an advantage, because it gives me the chance to correct things that would otherwise be disastrous, shortsighted, or otherwise..stupid. Or, perhaps it has stifled some brilliant work. I’d like to think not, but you never know. I greatly admire those of you who can create- and stick- to a plan for your reefs. I can think of a couple of examples from reefing history where reefers have executed exactly what they intended- with amazing results.
Probably the first that comes to mind is the awesome “Drop-off” reef system of Philippe Grosjean of Belgium, which I’ve featured here before. Philippe is a marine biologist by training, and wanted to develop a system that simulated a ledge where the shallow reef structure drops off. This necessitated, among other things, the development of a custom-shaped aquarium, and solving a few other problems, such as lighting, creating adequate flow, etc. The purpose of this piece is not to analyze these tanks, merely to discuss them as an example of “follow though” on the part of the aquarist, so if you want to hear more about this tank, you can find a lot about it online.
Philippe's tank literally takes us to the edge of modern reefing..a cleverly executed plan.
Another one would be the now defunct, but oft-drooled-over 850 gallon reef tank of Steve Weast. This legendary aquarium combined advanced, highly functional hardware design with an aquascape that took into account ratio, perspective, color balance, and viewing angles, to form one of theist iconic, aspirational aquariums of all time. Weast started with a plan, and executed to the letter on every detail. No deviation from plan. None. The result was truly a “reef for the ages.”
Greatness doesn't happen by chance, as Steve Weast's masterpiece attests.[/COLOR]
Look, I’m not saying that you need to have architectural renderings, a monumental checklist, and never deviate for a second in order to have success. Rather, I’m suggesting that conceiving- and sticking to- a plan for your reef is never a bad thing.
On the other hand, the “Perpetual Editor” archetype of reefer, which I am quite familiar with, also has his/her advantages. mainly, the ability to modify a plan as he/she goes if he sees a better way. Almost categorically, the “perpetual editor” has a looser, more flexible approach to reef aquarium planning, construction, and management, and is perhaps more in tune with the latest and greatest trends, techniques, and philosophies of the reefing game.
However, there is a sort of “sub-category” in the “Perpetual Editor” classification…well, actually two: The “Trend Jumper”, who, as the name implies, switches direction at the drop of a hat in order to capitalize on the latest trends, fads, or ideas. The other, what I call an “Active Listener”, will make changes based on discourse with other reefers, who share ways to do the thing that you’re trying to do in a better, more efficient manner.
What kind of "Perpetual Editor" are you? A "Trend Jumper" or an "Active Listener. Or something else entirely?"
One thing about being a “Perpetual Editor” is that you are constantly availing yourself to the latest information, and, in the case of the “Active Listener”, probably having great dialogue with other reefers who have more experience doing what you’re thinking of doing. The online world and social media have enabled the “Active Listener” to develop his or her idea to the ultimate degree. Although, the danger of being an “Active Listener” is that you can easily “lose control” of your plan by listening to every critique, suggestion, and opinion out there. Regardless of your reefing philosophy, a certain degree of independence and individuality is a key requirement.
In the end, isn't it all about the animals? It is, right? Huh? Yes?
And in a way, being a “Perpetual Editor” is not really a bad thing. I mean, you’re always aware of what’s going on in your tank, you’re constantly thinking of improvements, you're totally aware of the “Latest and Greatest” in the hobby, and you are “nimble”- able to change directions on a dime, as they say. So, don’t despair, sufferers of ADD (Which, IMHO is pretty much everyone in the reef keeping world), it helps you be a better, more “agile” hobbyist.
I’d like to hear from those of you out there who “suffer” from this double-edged sword.
Let’s hear your stories, your feelings. Are you a “Perpetual Editor?”
Ponder that…And until next time…
Stay Wet.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
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