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- Nov 23, 2006
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- 13,377
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Okay, so you see me wax on about over-reliance on technology and lamenting the declining “art” of aquarium keeping…It sounds like a broken record at times, but it’s a valid observation, IMO. So, the latest “malady” I seem to have encountered over the past few days is “over-build syndrome”, a condition that seems to have arisen from a desire to make our systems bigger, bolder, faster, stronger than everyone else’s…I’ve talked to four different people in the last few days, from different parts of the country- that are building or contemplating building- systems that are just ridiculously overbuilt, overthought, and…well, wasteful.
"Part of my new, double-redundant, triple phase closed loop refugium bypass system with evaporative cooling for my 125 reef..."
Just what is it about us reefers these days? Here we are, a quarter century after the “mini-reef” craze struck the hobby- and we’re still as amped as ever. It’s great to be enthusiastic. I love it. However, I get concerned when I see people thinking that we have to throw everything at our tanks to create this biggest, baddest, most powerful reef system ever! Not only are we hyper-equipping our systems with lots of ultra-high-tech, water-scrubbing, flow inducing, high-intensity light-emitting technology- we’re pushing the limits in stocking our systems: It seems like it’s all about ultra-rare, uber-pricy, “name-drop quality” livestock these days! There is so much intensity that it’s palpable.
Deep breath.
Sure, technological advances have been good to the hobby, and I’ve blabbed on and on about this over the months…But seriously- why all the angst? Why do we make things bigger and badder than they need to be? Three foot high, multi-pump protein skimmers on tanks that require 10% or less of the capability of these behemoths? Tanks with mass water movement provided by banks of electronic pumps and large, over-thought closed loops are still common everywhere.* Over-driven, hyper-powered LED lighting systems (I’m not just bashing the LEDs here, folks- so get over yourselves…I’ve heard of megawatt-sucking halide banks proposed lately, too) are a constant.
Hmm..these lights offer pretty good coverage....
I touched on this just last week a bit, for a different reason, but I still wonder- why do we have to build systems with obscene amounts of water-polishing equipment, crazy-expensive lighting systems, and seriously complicated plumbing schemes? Maybe it’s fun to build overly complex, chest-beating-quality aquariums? Is it the foundation for some future tank? Do we just like to impress our friends with crazy build threads on the message boards? I dunno, enlighten me, please.
If you need mega flow through your reef system, why not do it intelligently? I’ve talked to guys who have proposed no less than 10 Vortecs in a 180 gallon and 225 gallon system repectively! I’ve been in jacuzzis with less powerful flow! A few well placed Vortechs or Tunzes, set up to produce gyre flow, can have the same- or better- effect than numerous, electrical hungry powerheads or high velocity pumps. You know this. I’ve written about this. Yet, people feel compelled to spend so much money and effort on what really seems to be overkill that even the product manufacturers would discourage.
"I get awesome flow out of my 362-outlet closed loop on my 180..."
Lighting is important. We know that. And yes, LED’s have their place, and will for some time. But seriously- do you need 16 LED pendants on a 6 x 2 x 2 feet mixed coral –dominated aquarium? Have you priced these things lately? I see this type of over-thinking everywhere…Look, I am not putting myself out there as a lighting guru, or even semi-knowledgable, but I just kind of wonder, if these lights have so little coverage that you need so many on one tank, why do the manufacturers not build bigger units to save some money and complication? Could it be that we are mis-applying these lights? Or is there a legitimate need for units that cover a greater area..I’m probably missing something here in my early-AM, pre-caffeinated, pre workout rant, but still..
Is having double-digit numbers of LED pendants on your new reef progress?
Are we becoming slaves to our over-built tanks and their expensive equipment? There is a lot of monitoring and maintenance involved with excessive amounts of gear. I know we’ve talked about the fact that a lot of people enjoy the tech- and that’s not what I’m getting at today. I’m talking about overkill. I have literally talked to reefers that approach their tanks like a real estate investment, talking about “break-even” and “payoff”…what the #$%#$%^# are they talking about? It’s a hobby! WOW. Where will the fun be when you need to run a spreadsheet to see if you SHOULD be enjoying your hobby at this point.
"I should be able to enjoy this reef on October 23, 2019!"
I’m NOT saying that you shouldn’t outfit your tank with cool equipment. I love tech. What I am saying is that we need to reign ourselves in and think about what we really need to get the job done. Nothing more. Usually, it’s good equipment and excellent husbandry fundamentals. Oh…husbandry- the “H word again. That’s something that we need to keep thinking about. Please. We have awesome technology now. Use technology to assist! That means restraining yourself from over-spending on too much stuff.
“Stuff”, as I have stated ad nauseum of late, will not make yo a better reefer. And too much stuff will only make you a less financially stable reefer…one who will not be able to participate in the really “meat” of the hobby- the growing and keeping of animals- because you are still paying off the tank build…Slow down and enjoy! And don’t feel that your system must be filled with only “named” pieces that have crazy-high prices…we’ve talked about this before, too. Hasn’t sunk in some places, apparently. I don’t know about you, but I’m far more impressed by someone’s healthy, vibrant reef system than I am by their $850 all titanium needle-wheel pump or over-priced “designer” coral!
"It really is the perfect little car for local errands...."
Yup, time to take the excess out of reefing! Just enjoy.
Today’s rant…filled with thoughts from the past few months, and much hope for the hobby’s future, of course.
Till next time,
Stay Wet
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
"Part of my new, double-redundant, triple phase closed loop refugium bypass system with evaporative cooling for my 125 reef..."
Just what is it about us reefers these days? Here we are, a quarter century after the “mini-reef” craze struck the hobby- and we’re still as amped as ever. It’s great to be enthusiastic. I love it. However, I get concerned when I see people thinking that we have to throw everything at our tanks to create this biggest, baddest, most powerful reef system ever! Not only are we hyper-equipping our systems with lots of ultra-high-tech, water-scrubbing, flow inducing, high-intensity light-emitting technology- we’re pushing the limits in stocking our systems: It seems like it’s all about ultra-rare, uber-pricy, “name-drop quality” livestock these days! There is so much intensity that it’s palpable.
Deep breath.
Sure, technological advances have been good to the hobby, and I’ve blabbed on and on about this over the months…But seriously- why all the angst? Why do we make things bigger and badder than they need to be? Three foot high, multi-pump protein skimmers on tanks that require 10% or less of the capability of these behemoths? Tanks with mass water movement provided by banks of electronic pumps and large, over-thought closed loops are still common everywhere.* Over-driven, hyper-powered LED lighting systems (I’m not just bashing the LEDs here, folks- so get over yourselves…I’ve heard of megawatt-sucking halide banks proposed lately, too) are a constant.
Hmm..these lights offer pretty good coverage....
I touched on this just last week a bit, for a different reason, but I still wonder- why do we have to build systems with obscene amounts of water-polishing equipment, crazy-expensive lighting systems, and seriously complicated plumbing schemes? Maybe it’s fun to build overly complex, chest-beating-quality aquariums? Is it the foundation for some future tank? Do we just like to impress our friends with crazy build threads on the message boards? I dunno, enlighten me, please.
If you need mega flow through your reef system, why not do it intelligently? I’ve talked to guys who have proposed no less than 10 Vortecs in a 180 gallon and 225 gallon system repectively! I’ve been in jacuzzis with less powerful flow! A few well placed Vortechs or Tunzes, set up to produce gyre flow, can have the same- or better- effect than numerous, electrical hungry powerheads or high velocity pumps. You know this. I’ve written about this. Yet, people feel compelled to spend so much money and effort on what really seems to be overkill that even the product manufacturers would discourage.
"I get awesome flow out of my 362-outlet closed loop on my 180..."
Lighting is important. We know that. And yes, LED’s have their place, and will for some time. But seriously- do you need 16 LED pendants on a 6 x 2 x 2 feet mixed coral –dominated aquarium? Have you priced these things lately? I see this type of over-thinking everywhere…Look, I am not putting myself out there as a lighting guru, or even semi-knowledgable, but I just kind of wonder, if these lights have so little coverage that you need so many on one tank, why do the manufacturers not build bigger units to save some money and complication? Could it be that we are mis-applying these lights? Or is there a legitimate need for units that cover a greater area..I’m probably missing something here in my early-AM, pre-caffeinated, pre workout rant, but still..
Is having double-digit numbers of LED pendants on your new reef progress?
Are we becoming slaves to our over-built tanks and their expensive equipment? There is a lot of monitoring and maintenance involved with excessive amounts of gear. I know we’ve talked about the fact that a lot of people enjoy the tech- and that’s not what I’m getting at today. I’m talking about overkill. I have literally talked to reefers that approach their tanks like a real estate investment, talking about “break-even” and “payoff”…what the #$%#$%^# are they talking about? It’s a hobby! WOW. Where will the fun be when you need to run a spreadsheet to see if you SHOULD be enjoying your hobby at this point.
"I should be able to enjoy this reef on October 23, 2019!"
I’m NOT saying that you shouldn’t outfit your tank with cool equipment. I love tech. What I am saying is that we need to reign ourselves in and think about what we really need to get the job done. Nothing more. Usually, it’s good equipment and excellent husbandry fundamentals. Oh…husbandry- the “H word again. That’s something that we need to keep thinking about. Please. We have awesome technology now. Use technology to assist! That means restraining yourself from over-spending on too much stuff.
“Stuff”, as I have stated ad nauseum of late, will not make yo a better reefer. And too much stuff will only make you a less financially stable reefer…one who will not be able to participate in the really “meat” of the hobby- the growing and keeping of animals- because you are still paying off the tank build…Slow down and enjoy! And don’t feel that your system must be filled with only “named” pieces that have crazy-high prices…we’ve talked about this before, too. Hasn’t sunk in some places, apparently. I don’t know about you, but I’m far more impressed by someone’s healthy, vibrant reef system than I am by their $850 all titanium needle-wheel pump or over-priced “designer” coral!
"It really is the perfect little car for local errands...."
Yup, time to take the excess out of reefing! Just enjoy.
Today’s rant…filled with thoughts from the past few months, and much hope for the hobby’s future, of course.
Till next time,
Stay Wet
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
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