Today, I'm in a bit of a philosophical mode.
I was adding some new livestock to the Unique Corals site, and looking at some of the non-photosynthetic stuff we have in inventory, and it made me reflect upon how the hobby's approach to trying new, less conventional, or hithero "unapproved" stuff has sort of changed. Years ago, featuring Tubastrea and other non-photosynthetic animals would have made you a target for criticism. Nowadays, it's just another group of animals to work with. Technology has caught up with ambition, and we can do what was once frowned upon as "irresponsible" and "radical."
Not a responsible choice? For who?
I thought about how brave those reefers are who break new ground. Who question convention, and who are the first to seek a better way. I dedicate this blog to them.
Throughout our lives, we’re taught that it’s good to be “first”: Winning the race, being the first in line, the first one to finish our homework, etc. In the reef hobby, however, “first” sometimes carries a little more baggage with it. Have you noticed that?
If you can keep one, you can breed one...That's what MP thought...
When you’re the first hobbyist to keep a challenging coral, breed a fish, or proffer a different way of doing things, you have some serious responsibility- to the animal, the natural environment, and even tougher still- the hobby “establishment”. It’s a heavy weight to shoulder! And in today's internet-enabled hobby, armchair "critics" and "experts" are everywhere- some are informed, some are truly ignorant...and they are all armed with the ability to talk about you and your ideas rather quickly...for better or worse.
Visionaries in our hobby have always suffered the criticisms of those who came before them. I guess it’s human nature to question the gangly newcomers to our little utopia. If you are pioneering a new technique, keeping an animal previously thought un-keepable, or, worse yet- challenging a long-held hobby “truism”, the fact is, you’re likely to take a beating. Or, at the very least, hear a lot of hushed whispers when you walk into the room.
If you're up to the challenge, and accept the responsibility..
Sad, huh? It is to me. I mean, where would we be if people didn't try new things? Why do we make these progressive hobbyists the scapegoats for our troubles?
The fact is, somebody has to be the first. Somebody has to dip their toes in the water, trying that new technique, or trying to keep the fish once thought impossible. Remember a few years back- the amazing achievement of Matt Pederson, spawning and rearing the Ornate Filefish? This was a fish that would pretty much expose your neck to the chopping block for fellow hobbyists if you dared even try to keep one. Matt not only believed that he could keep and breed the fish- he defied the naysayers and actually did it!
Courage, my friends. And conviction. If you have those traits- and a good idea, go for it!
On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy skepticism or peer review. Preaching something that is contrary to conventional wisdom (“You can keep non-photosynthetic gorgonians in a reef system”) is one thing- it challenges us to re-think our previously long-held beliefs. However, advocating an idea that, in most cases, will cause harm to our animals (“There is no need to ever change water in closed system aquariums.”) is another thing entirely. And proffering advice that’s downright foolhardy {“I think we should teach our toddlers how to hand-feed Scorpionfish!) will justifiably qualify you for an online assault from the reefkeeping community!
Mike Cao didn't hear the naysayers..thankfully.
We have a strong "tribe" and a healthy culture in reef keeping (for the most part), in which forward-thinkers are greeted with some skepticism, and generally embraced after much discourse. It used to be that you'd be run out of town on a rail for suggesting something radical and different. However, in the hobby's more enlightened "post-modern" era, it seems as though we are finally breaking out of that bad habit.
Philippe Grosjean freed his mind...and helped break a mold with his "drop off" reef.
I’m encouraging more responsible experimentation. Share your data. Force progress. Taunt the conventional. Where would we be if hobbyists continued to believe that the undergravel filter was THE way to maintain a healthy marine aquarium, or if we never tried fragging a stony coral? Yikes! Radical steps are often necessary for change.
Take radical steps. Be bold. Be....unique.
Be yourself.
I leave you with a favorite, possibly over-used, but nonetheless applicable inspirational quote from Apple co-founder and visionary, the late Steve Jobs:
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Flying in the face of “conventional wisdom” is a tough, but passable road.
Take it.
Until next time.
Stay Wet...and be bold.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
I was adding some new livestock to the Unique Corals site, and looking at some of the non-photosynthetic stuff we have in inventory, and it made me reflect upon how the hobby's approach to trying new, less conventional, or hithero "unapproved" stuff has sort of changed. Years ago, featuring Tubastrea and other non-photosynthetic animals would have made you a target for criticism. Nowadays, it's just another group of animals to work with. Technology has caught up with ambition, and we can do what was once frowned upon as "irresponsible" and "radical."
Not a responsible choice? For who?
I thought about how brave those reefers are who break new ground. Who question convention, and who are the first to seek a better way. I dedicate this blog to them.
Throughout our lives, we’re taught that it’s good to be “first”: Winning the race, being the first in line, the first one to finish our homework, etc. In the reef hobby, however, “first” sometimes carries a little more baggage with it. Have you noticed that?
If you can keep one, you can breed one...That's what MP thought...
When you’re the first hobbyist to keep a challenging coral, breed a fish, or proffer a different way of doing things, you have some serious responsibility- to the animal, the natural environment, and even tougher still- the hobby “establishment”. It’s a heavy weight to shoulder! And in today's internet-enabled hobby, armchair "critics" and "experts" are everywhere- some are informed, some are truly ignorant...and they are all armed with the ability to talk about you and your ideas rather quickly...for better or worse.
Visionaries in our hobby have always suffered the criticisms of those who came before them. I guess it’s human nature to question the gangly newcomers to our little utopia. If you are pioneering a new technique, keeping an animal previously thought un-keepable, or, worse yet- challenging a long-held hobby “truism”, the fact is, you’re likely to take a beating. Or, at the very least, hear a lot of hushed whispers when you walk into the room.
If you're up to the challenge, and accept the responsibility..
Sad, huh? It is to me. I mean, where would we be if people didn't try new things? Why do we make these progressive hobbyists the scapegoats for our troubles?
The fact is, somebody has to be the first. Somebody has to dip their toes in the water, trying that new technique, or trying to keep the fish once thought impossible. Remember a few years back- the amazing achievement of Matt Pederson, spawning and rearing the Ornate Filefish? This was a fish that would pretty much expose your neck to the chopping block for fellow hobbyists if you dared even try to keep one. Matt not only believed that he could keep and breed the fish- he defied the naysayers and actually did it!
Courage, my friends. And conviction. If you have those traits- and a good idea, go for it!
On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy skepticism or peer review. Preaching something that is contrary to conventional wisdom (“You can keep non-photosynthetic gorgonians in a reef system”) is one thing- it challenges us to re-think our previously long-held beliefs. However, advocating an idea that, in most cases, will cause harm to our animals (“There is no need to ever change water in closed system aquariums.”) is another thing entirely. And proffering advice that’s downright foolhardy {“I think we should teach our toddlers how to hand-feed Scorpionfish!) will justifiably qualify you for an online assault from the reefkeeping community!
Mike Cao didn't hear the naysayers..thankfully.
We have a strong "tribe" and a healthy culture in reef keeping (for the most part), in which forward-thinkers are greeted with some skepticism, and generally embraced after much discourse. It used to be that you'd be run out of town on a rail for suggesting something radical and different. However, in the hobby's more enlightened "post-modern" era, it seems as though we are finally breaking out of that bad habit.
Philippe Grosjean freed his mind...and helped break a mold with his "drop off" reef.
I’m encouraging more responsible experimentation. Share your data. Force progress. Taunt the conventional. Where would we be if hobbyists continued to believe that the undergravel filter was THE way to maintain a healthy marine aquarium, or if we never tried fragging a stony coral? Yikes! Radical steps are often necessary for change.
Take radical steps. Be bold. Be....unique.
Be yourself.
I leave you with a favorite, possibly over-used, but nonetheless applicable inspirational quote from Apple co-founder and visionary, the late Steve Jobs:
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Flying in the face of “conventional wisdom” is a tough, but passable road.
Take it.
Until next time.
Stay Wet...and be bold.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
Last edited:
