Back to My Roots

Some times it amazes me just how far I've gone in this hobby. Just a few short years ago if you had told me what this hobby would become for me I wouldn't have believed you. I got my start on the advise of a small LFS and jumped into a 20 gallon tall packed full of aptasia and some cycle damsels. Little did I know that a career would become of this, and that hours a day of my time would be devoted to it. It's amazing what can happen when you really love something.

Once in awhile I get returned to my roots, and yesterday afternoon was one such time. Little known to most people, I house a small reef at my mom's house with some basic corals and fish. She owned a large salt water tank when I was young and is the true spark behind me getting into the hobby, and she still loves the new look of reef tanks. I do most the troubleshooting and maintenance on her tank, and it always seems to bring back memories. While at her house visiting with her yesterday, I did a little work on the tank that really took me back. I never seem to have the proper equipment with me when I'm there, so it always turns out at least a little rigged up to get the job done. I may be all L.E.D, computers and Vortechs with my home aquarium, but there it's all power compact, thermostats and maxi jets! Sometimes I forget the feeling of using my own ingenuity rather than the latest tech to get around a problem, but with her tank I always remember how little you can put into a beautiful reef. When it comes down to it all it really takes is water salt and rock to make a reef possible, and we should all keep that in mind. It's not the amount you spend that makes your reef amazing. IT's the amount of care and knowledge you put into it.

 

I feel ya. My dads lion's & snowflake tank was what inspired me to get into the hobby. My initial plan was to get back in to the hobby with the exact same 55gal from the garage as a hand my down since it been torn down & in the garage probably 15 years. I brought all the stuff back to my house & dug into it. maxi-jets, HOB filters & even the top of the line undergravel filter still inside it. lol. My dad went ape nuts when I told him it went in the trash. lol.

 

Spent a small fortune in years past on all the latest equipment, supplements you name it, I bought in. Going back to basics has been very rewarding.

If you look around you can find the simplest set-ups with beautiful mushrooms and softies, it's the care provided not the gadgets.

Gadgets are very cool, but not necessary, while good husbandry is essential.

I wish I could have inspired my son for the love of the hobby are your mother did you.

 

Amen.

 

amen, some times less is more