A manifesto, or an introspective moment?

I was talking to a non-aquarium person the other day, and, after hearing about my business ventures and hobby endeavors, she asked what it really meant to be a serious  aquarist, and what makes us any different from all of the people who just have a nice community tank in their house and that’s the extent of it. 

I thought that maybe we are all the same- fish people...Well, we are, to some extent...but we are a bit different. So I drove off with the nagging question of "What makes you guys so different?" in my head. I had this bunch of thoughts as to how I'd describe myself...and it made me think about just what makes a serious hobbyist different than people who just happen to own an aquarium. 

It served no purpose other than to help me define myself a bit, but it was interesting to look at in the context of the company we’re about to launch.

I'm a serious aquarist.

I don't dabble in aquariums. I'm obsessed with them.

I know that keeping aquatic life alive requires understanding, skill, patience, and good habits.

I know that a successful aquarium requires me to take certain steps that many other fish people aren't willing to do. 

I regard my aquariums as microcosms of nature; learning tools, an experience..Their main function is not to provide a piece of decor in my home.

I have procedures for every scenario, every problem playing out in the back of my head. I have other obsessed hobbyists to share these thoughts with. We are a community.

I obsessively maintain my aquarium based on husbandry methods that work for me; skills learned and honed from years of practice, towering successes, and humbling failures. I listen to other hobbyists, then do whatever I darned well please, if I feel my way is better...And then I try theirs, when my ideas fail! I'm stubborn..and proud.

I don't chase down every hot trend, obsess over every new gadget. I try things that work for my animals. I geek out over obscure stuff, however.

I'm not afraid to try new stuff, but I always consider the impact of any new practice, procedure, or piece of gear.

I support those who are propagating fishes and plants, because I understand that the world's aquatic resources need our help. As a hobbyist, I know that the future of the hobby- the future of the world's aquatic animal population- is in part dependent upon how successful I am at keeping my animals healthy, and sharing my stories with others.

I screw stuff up all the time. And when I do, I share my errors with other hobbyists, get up again, over an over, and try to learn from them.

I am eager to hear about what my fellow hobbyists are doing, because that seemingly crazy idea might be the basis for massive success.

I realize that learning is a lifelong process in the hobby. I want to be doing this for the rest of my life.

I know that aquarium keeping is not just a hobby...it's a lifestyle.

I am part of a tribe; a community, which grows and nurtures and shares ideas, concepts, experiences, and animals. 

I am a part of a larger whole, which is much greater than the sum of it's parts.

I am a serious aquarist.  And so are you.

And I'm pretty darned proud of that.

Why are you proud to be a serious aquarist ? What do you feel makes us different than the rest of the people who simply “dabble” out there?

Let's hear it!

Stay wet...

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

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