Learn or get left behind! Is that a fair statement?

[tony'stank]

I have been reefing for 37 years and am still learning every day. It amazes me at how much knowledge we once believed was the gospel as been disproved and discarded. If I hadn’t kept learning I would still be tending to my wet-dry bio all filter and changing bulbs on my power compact lights

 

[damselindistress]

I have been an avid lifelong reader and "researcher". I've made the statement many times over the years that my dream occupation would be a paid college student - there are so many things I want to know and understand....sadly no one has signed up to sponsor my dream lol. So I settle for the interwebs and search out like minded people such as you fine folks.

I will be the first to admit that I was woefully unprepared for the steep learning curve that comes with entering the reefing hobby. I have always excelled in academics (just no common sense ha) and wrongly assumed that I would quickly pick up all of the necessary info to cultivate a successful reef - boy what a tremendously ignorant assumption on my part!

I have only been in the hobby since 2017 and still consider myself a novice who's just starting to assimilate enough knowledge and experience to maintain a reasonably stable reef - but I have light years to go and humbly accept that I'll never fully know all there is to know about something as vast and complex and marvelous as the sea. I don't think anyone can.

 

[Fishko]

I learned polyp bailout can be caused from low nutrients, gotta raise that nitrate yikes sitting at 1ppm.

 

[Sticks And Stones]

If I thought I knew it all, I'd quit the hobby... I live to learn.

 

[Keiffer the reefer]

So much of the hobby is based on theory and anecdote. I think you can be aware of these practices. I’ll stop short of calling it known knowledge. My favorite science teacher told me that knowledge is knowing where to find what you need to know. Based on that, I’m calling myself a 75%er.

Wanting to learn isnt just important, I say it’s necessary. This is a hobby, if you don’t like learning about it, what in the world are you doing?

Since I got my Trident, I’ve learned. Lot about factors affecting alk stability. Since that testing is automated now, I’ve been more consistent in testing N and P and periodically sending in ICP tests. Been learning a lot about how my tank handles N and P loads.

 

[aquaman67]

Fair is where they judge livestock.

 

[cancun]

LOL everyone is so right! Learning constantly! In this hobby you have to learn to be a Marine Biologist, Plummer, electrician, chemist, and I am probably forgetting other things!

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Learn or get left behind! Is that a fair statement?

IMO if you're not learning well......you're getting left behind. In this hobby there is so much to know and so much to learn. We can get into keeping aquariums with a basic knowledge that will help us be successful with a basic tank set up but if you ever want to be one of the best at maintaining a reef aquarium, growing corals, keeping expert fish etc. you must read, you must try, you must fail, you must learn!

What have you learned over the years? What did you learn last year? What did you learn yesterday? If you're content with what you have and the level of hobbyist you are then stop learning. But if you want more, if you want to be the best then LEARN!

So let's roll with this topic today. I would like to get your feedback on what I just said by answering the following questions.

1. How important is consistently reading and learning to you becoming the best aquarium keeper you can be?

2. Have you learned anything new recently? If so what was it? SHARE!

1. How important is consistently reading and learning to you becoming the best aquarium keeper you can be?


2. Have you learned anything new recently? If so what was it? SHARE

Learn or get left behind! Is that a fair statement?

IMO if you're not learning well......you're getting left behind. In this hobby there is so much to know and so much to learn. We can get into keeping aquariums with a basic knowledge that will help us be successful with a basic tank set up but if you ever want to be one of the best at maintaining a reef aquarium, growing corals, keeping expert fish etc. you must read, you must try, you must fail, you must learn!

What have you learned over the years? What did you learn last year? What did you learn yesterday? If you're content with what you have and the level of hobbyist you are then stop learning. But if you want more, if you want to be the best then LEARN!

So let's roll with this topic today. I would like to get your feedback on what I just said by answering the following questions.

1. How important is consistently reading and learning to you becoming the best aquarium keeper you can be?

2. Have you learned anything new recently? If so what was it? SHARE!

1. How important is consistently reading and learning to you becoming the best aquarium keeper you can be?

there's a saying from Spain that goes like this
If you read a lot and travel a lot.
You know a lot and seen a lot.
knowledge is power.

2. Have you learned anything new recently? If so what was it? SHARE
hate to say it but, everything I've come to learn about my children of the sea I've learned by accident. But I love to read.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

LOL everyone is so right! Learning constantly! In this hobby you have to learn to be a Marine Biologist, Plummer, electrician, chemist, and I am probably forgetting other things!

Hey, you should laern too spell....heee

 

[Admann]

LOL everyone is so right! Learning constantly! In this hobby you have to learn to be a Marine Biologist, Plummer, electrician, chemist, and I am probably forgetting other things!

I'll add mechanic, carpenter, cabinetmaker, fabricator, researcher, data analyst and on and on.

 

[Eric Miller]

I love this hobby so much that no matter how many things I try and fail , I will not give up ! I have pretty much got the softy corals down pack but SPS is kicking my butt.

 

[Dianna Marshall]

I’d say there’s still 150% more to learn...why quit at 100% .
My most recent research - when making salt mix, there is a drop in pH - it’s a meager explanation of why everything else including open windows and doors in dead of winter has not improved my ph..hours of research into the benefit of acros, increased alkalinity, higher ph make corals happy...that’s what I want...and I am performing Around the clock water changes with my apex. Also have supplemented my ato with Kent marine vs. kalk. My acros are growing...ph runs around 8.0-8.13...hasn’t been below 8.0 since using the buffer in the ato. Calcium and dkh stable. Acros: have about 6 of them.. have lps and sps happily growing. I find it surprising that no one has mentioned the potential for a dip in pH after mixing rodi and salt. Anyway, I’m not chasing numbers. I’m striving for consistency.

 

[robbyg]

I think this question is kind of insane! We have only scratched the surface on finding out about the ocean and it's inhabitants and by extension this "Hobby". If the question had been how much do I know about keeping a reef tank alive and thriving over a five to ten year period my answer would be about 80%. It's all downhill from there. I gave up on learning the Scientifc Names of fishes about a decade ago. I have forgotten the maybe 50 or so I use to know. I have a fair grasp of the chemical reactions and also common pests in a tank. My ID skills are near zero for corals etc. If the coral was in Finding Nemo I am pretty safe otherwise I might have to look in a book for an answer.

 

[AZMSGT]

I learn new things everyday. I never stop. I get books on subjects that interest me and read them from cover to cover. Marine fish keeping was something I started studying back in 1989. Still have one coral book from back then. still trying to find a good coral book.

 

[Billldg]

I clicked on 50 percent or less, and that is probably, no, its is actually high. I have a philosophy that has gotten me thru life thus far, its THE MORE I LEARN THE LESS I KNOW!!! I probably know less now than when I started the hobby, because I learn every day and I have even more questions as a result. I think my biggest surprise, and curiosity, is just how fragile this type of ecosystem really is. THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS HOBBY GREAT!!!

 

[Jdwest]

When I am not learning I tend to get bored so always trying to learn

 

[tripdad]

I simply wish I was 21 again, I knew everything back then. Now....I realize I will never know everything, ever!

 

[Gareth elliott]

The empty space between electrons make up 99.9999999% of what we touch. And given we have touched more of the moons empty space than the oceans. I am comfortable saying that i know .00000001% about anything.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I am one of those love to learn people to. This hobby has so many avenues of learning. Gadgets to animals research, to DIY (learning to use different materials, ideas, electrics, solder iron, my husbands tools [he loves this one]) to discovering what we do daily impacts our wild brethren. How to help them in ways we can. Teaching others about the coral reefs.

I have been keeping reefs for over 16 years. I still know very little. I have kept specific creatures and know lots about their care. However, those I have not kept, I may know basics, not much else. If I decide to add a new animals to my collection, I get to discover what they require to thrive and whether I can commit to that animal.

I get questions every program I do from kids that I have to look up or find out later. So much information, yet so little too.

I once worked with a man (we were building a tank for his area) and he informed me that he knew everything there is to know about caring for a reef aquarium. As soon as he said this, I knew he was not someone I would have too much contact with in the future. After all, what can you tell someone that already knows everything?

 

[DungSl1nger]

Less then 10% despite all the reading I did prior to buying and setting up my tank.

What did I recently learn? Patience is a virtue I need work on. I took the advice on waiting to replace Red Sea's plumbing, and I am glad now because I don't care for the sump that comes with the Reefer 250 and will be looking to replace it and the plumbing.