October 31, 2016

The exceptional, everyday fish geek...

The best part about having your own blog is that you can write about whatever happens to be on your mind at the time. Sometimes, it's a "big idea". Other times, a rant. And occasionally, it's just something you notice that makes you smile.

Today, we're not really focusing on any crazy idea...any concept or what not...Nope. To ease into the week, I'm just passing along an observation I made this weekend which I think is pretty cool. Ridiculously simple. Not earth shattering, not explosive...just...cool.

And here it is:

I don't think that there is a single aquarium that we as serious tropical fish hobbyists set up which is not super important to us, reflective of our best efforts.

Sure, some tanks may be better than another. Some may be cleaner, sexier, better equipped, designated for a more compelling mission than others, but on the whole, I haven't seen any evidence to the contrary.

Ever thought about that?

This was hammered home over the weekend when, in a sleep-deprived stupor, I found myself watching some You Tube videos of fish room "tours" of various hobbyists (Really, nothing else on TV, Fellman?). The one underlying "theme" (besides the fact that they always had something cool going on) I took away from my observations is that these people really take care of everything. Like, no forgotten, neglected tanks anywhere.

I mean, even in the thirty-tank fish room, these people make taking care of every tank is as important as the other. Sure, one might be hosting the fry of that really rare Apisto, or another might be housing that newly-acquired Loach, or acclimating the crazy new African cichlid...but each and every tank is viewed as being super important.

That's really, really cool.

The thing I love the most about serious hobbyists, is that even the most seemingly humble tank- the one that houses those Mollies that he/she "accidentally" won at the club auction last week- the "common, garden-variety" ones- is given the same level of dedication as the tank housing the rarest of fishes we work with.

Like, I don't know a single fish geek who just "mails it in" and gives a minimal effort to providing for his/her fish, not matter how common, how seemingly "insignificant", or how "easy" one is to take care of. Each and every fish- each and every tank- is given the love and attention it deserves.

Now, we can't always be on top of everything in our fish rooms at all times, but for the most part, we do an amazing job. And this level of caring, stuff, and execution is what makes today's tropical fish enthusiast one of the most special breeds among animal lovers.

And that's about it.

Tomorrow, we'll be back with a topic that's a bit more "meaty", but this was something that I just thought was kind of cool. Pat yourself on the back for a bit...but not for too long. You've got some water exchanges to perform...

Stay focused. Stay dedicated. Stay inspirational...

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics