| It is a well known fact that many people who decide | | | | Now on to the other two which are supplier related. |
| to venture into the salt water aquarium hobby do so | | | | One has to do with information and the other has to |
| because of the vibrant colors, voluminous options, | | | | do with equipment and supplies. |
| and entertainment value which this hobby has to | | | | Let's look at information. Most suppliers are hobbyist |
| offer. | | | | themselves and are just as clueless as their |
| If this hobby is so rewarding why in a matter of a | | | | customers. They seem to think that just because |
| few months do they frustratingly leave the hobby? | | | | they have a supply store they are experts. If you |
| It is my contention that there are three major | | | | read the major saltwater forums you will see a great |
| causes as to why people abandon this wonderful | | | | disdain for the local fish stores (LFS). They have the |
| hobby. One of the two reasons falls squarely on the | | | | mentality to say, 'whatever to whomever' in order to |
| hobbyist. The other two lay at the feet of suppliers. | | | | sell 'whatever to whomever'. As long as they can get |
| This first cause lays at the feet of the hobbyist. Lack | | | | it and can sell it then it's fair game. Many marine |
| of research and impatience are the two most critical | | | | animals should not be sold to the average hobbyist. |
| errors hobbyist's make. | | | | Their care level is too difficult for their expertise and |
| Let's look at the lack of research. The primary | | | | time needed to care for them. They are difficult |
| reason why one ventures into this hobby in the first | | | | shippers and don't acclimate to a small closed system. |
| place should send a signal to the hobbyist. Because of | | | | The expertise of most LFS are woefully deficient. |
| the diversity of species which marine life offers it | | | | Second, There are many products and equipment |
| stands to reason that one must learn all he or she | | | | out there which only hinders the quality reef |
| can before 'diving' into this hobby. | | | | environment which one expects and should be |
| Every fish, crustacean, coral, and invertebrate | | | | avoided at all cost. Again the mentality is to sell |
| catching the eye of the beholder has its varied | | | | 'whatever' and collect the money. A lot of products, |
| requirements. For example, many fish eat corals and | | | | pumps, skimmers, food etc. are simply a waste of |
| shell fish. Many are vegetarians. Some corals require a | | | | cold hard earned money. |
| lot of light and some require no light. Feeding habits, | | | | After shelling out $1500.00 for a reef system full of |
| growth rate, size, and compatibility with other tank | | | | junk equipment and gadgets one frustratingly |
| mates and aquarium captivity all play an important | | | | abandons the hobby. |
| role in choosing tank inhabitants. Extensive research is | | | | In conclusion, lack of research and patience on the |
| a must before dishing out one green dollar bill. | | | | hobbyist part and the lack of knowledge and selling |
| The second, impatience, creates a very unstable long | | | | 'whatever to whomever' not only results in a |
| term enjoyment of the hobby. Too many people | | | | frustrated hobbyist quitting the reef keeping venture, |
| 'dive' (there is that word again) into setting up a reef | | | | but also results in the death of countless animal |
| like a fresh water system- buying an aquarium, | | | | specimens. |
| putting chlorine free water in it, adding the animals, | | | | Trade with a reputable supplier who only provides |
| and then expecting it to thrive like that in the ocean. | | | | the knowledge, supplies, and equipment which will |
| Tragically, this is all too often the mentality of | | | | produce the highest quality reef system for your |
| saltwater keeping. | | | | living room and who avoids selling inferior products, |
| It takes patience for the water parameters to be | | | | livestock and equipment. |
| just right. It take patience for the acclimation process | | | | With expert knowledge, proper equipment and setup, |
| of the animals. It takes patience to grow a beautiful, | | | | quality animal stock, and patience, one can watch |
| relaxing, and rewarding reef system right in your living | | | | before his very eyes an exciting and wonderful |
| room. | | | | growth of a captive reef in your living room. |